John Krafcik Live Chat (17 May 2011)

[Ruissimo]

On Tuesday, May 17th at 6PM PT / 9PM ET, we'd like to invite a very special guest back to the Think Tank... John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America! Among the topics planned for this chat include the new Accent, Veloster and next generation Azera, Hyundai’s new MPG messaging, the new Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee, and Blue Link.

I plan on attending.

Here are the questions I submitted ahead of time.... did I miss anything? LOL

• Why is pricing being held on the 2012 Genesis sedan?
• When will the 2012 Genesis sedan hit showrooms in the US?
• Why have we not heard anything about the new Azera?
• When will the 2012 Genesis coupe be announced, and will it have AWD?
• When will the 2012 Genesis coupe be available?
• Is Hyundai working on a minivan model for the US market - we need an alternative to the overpriced Japanese offerings!
• Will the i40 wagon/estate be released in the US?
• Is there a model-specific release schedule for Blue Link?
• What is the pricing on Blue Link packages?
• Are there discounts for Blue Link if more than one package is purchased?
• How "upgradable" is Blue Link (software version downloads)?
• Where can we get trade-in values for specific models under the Assurance program, and what is amount based on (msrp)?​

Character Count Remaining: 1

 

[ilovemygenesis]

I plan on attending.

Here are the questions I submitted ahead of time.... did I miss anything? LOL

• Why is pricing being held on the 2012 Genesis sedan?
• When will the 2012 Genesis sedan hit showrooms in the US?
• Why have we not heard anything about the new Azera?
• When will the 2012 Genesis coupe be announced, and will it have AWD?
• When will the 2012 Genesis coupe be available?
• Is Hyundai working on a minivan model for the US market - we need an alternative to the overpriced Japanese offerings!
• Will the i40 wagon/estate be released in the US?
• Is there a model-specific release schedule for Blue Link?
• What is the pricing on Blue Link packages?
• Are there discounts for Blue Link if more than one package is purchased?
• How "upgradable" is Blue Link (software version downloads)?
• Where can we get trade-in values for specific models under the Assurance program, and what is amount based on (msrp)?​

Character Count Remaining: 1

You should also ask:
1. If they are going to make a luxury SUV model?
2. How have the implementation of the plans for the equus showrooms gone so far?
3. Do they plan to just keep the 2 showrooms together or eventually branch off to a new company?
4. Why is the anticipated date for the AWD for the Genesis 2014?
5. How seriously is Hyundai looking to gain market share in the luxury car market? If they are aggressive do they think their current business plan will attain that goal?
6. Will there be plans to move/market the Sonata as a mid size luxury vehicle?
7. With the recent additions to the luxury market, will Hyundai phase out some of their less expensive models and move away from being an inexpensive car maker?

 

[mehsdomi]

1. Will the 2012 Genesis coupe have a V8?
2. Will the will be the horsepower options of the Genesis coupes?
3. Is there going to be a price jump from the 2011 to 2012 Genesis coupes?
4. What type of changes where made to the front of the Genesis coupes and when will there be pictures?
5. Did they fix the manual transmission problems with the Genesis coupes that make it hard to shift in cold weather and 5th gear grinds?

 

[YEH]

• When will the 2012 Genesis coupe be announced, and will it have AWD?

No longer need to ask whether the 2012 GC will get AWD since it's been confirmed that neither Genesis models will get AWD until the next gen.

• Is Hyundai working on a minivan model for the US market - we need an alternative to the overpriced Japanese offerings!

In conjunction with that, I would aks what is the status of the Portico model (which was supposedly somewhere btwn a minivan and MPV); last I heard, Hyundai decided that they didn't like what they had and was starting from scratch).

I would also ask:

1. Where Hyundai is with regard to the development of a smaller RWD luxury sedan.

2. When we should expect the new Santa Fe and if the rumor that there will be a LWB Santa Fe (w/ 3rd row) replacing the Veracruz is true.

3 How upscale Hyundai is thinking of taking the next gen Genesis coupe (Infiniti G37 level?).

4. How many luxury models (crossovers, etc.) Hyundai is thinking of developing.

5. If a separate luxury brand/dealer network is something that Hyundai will consider down the road; and if not or in the interim, whether Hyundai is thinking about placing the luxury models in a sub-brand (to be sold at Hyundai dealerships).

Krafcik will probably be effusive about some of these questions.

 

[mehsdomi]

Where can I view the live chat?

 

[mehsdomi]

Anyone where can I view the live chat?

 

[Ruissimo]

I apologize in advance, but my business dinner ran late, and by the time I got home, all 30 of the supposed chat room slots were filled. I was, however, able to log on DURING the chat... and got my hands on most of the conversation (not all).

Will post it shortly.

 

[Ruissimo]

Sorry for the formatting... unfortunately, it just doesn't copy over nicely. I'm sure the official transcript will be up in a day or two

http://p0rkncheese.webs.com/Chat%20Transcript%20%28partial%29.pdf

Oh... and managed to grab this bad boy too!

 

[Ruissimo]

According to that... if you buy a 2011 4.6, for instance, your guaranteed value in month 30 would be $23,679.

Assuming you paid, say... $38,000 for it outright, you could have a very nice car for about $475 a month. This is clearly not as good a deal as a lease - but if you're getting into this car to own it for the long haul, it is very nice to know that you won't lose your shirt when the new 2013 Genny's come out!

I would even dare say that for about $520 a month, you can own this car until the redesign comes out, and you'd still have about $19 grand to throw down as a nice little down payment!

 

[homeofstone]

Sorry for the formatting... unfortunately, it just doesn't copy over nicely. I'm sure the official transcript will be up in a day or two

http://p0rkncheese.webs.com/Chat%20Transcript%20%28partial%29.pdf

Oh... and managed to grab this bad boy too!

What about the number of miles on the car? Is there a charge or credit on miles?

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[Ruissimo]

What about the number of miles on the car? Is there a charge or credit on miles?

Pretty sure I read somewhere that yes, there will be an "excessive wear and tear" clause in there somewhere, and that it includes excessive mileage. I don't think details were given.

Some of the things I came away with from the chat, besides the assurance trade in value thing:

• 2012MY Genesis Coupe - no changes
• 2013MY Genesis Coupe - more HP and design changes

• 2012MY Genesis Sedan pricing - June (yeah yeah... I'll believe it when I see it)

• 2012MY Azera availability - Early 2012
• 2012MY Azera - 3.3L DI V6, ~290HP, 30 mpg

• BlueLink availability: 2012MY (Sonata, Veloster, Azera) 2013MY (Elantra, Gen Coupe w/ Nav)

 

[elohb]

To add to items discussed during last evening's chat: (1) John Krafcik is currently driving a 2012 Genesis R-Spec as his personal car; (2) when John was asked for the 0-60 time on the R-Spec his response was that "it flies"; (3) John said the R-Spec will be available in late June.

 

[Ruissimo]

Preliminary Pricing for Blue Link (NOT OFFICIAL!!!):

Assurance: One year price: $79, Two year price: $139 and Three year price: $198
Blue Link Essentials: One year price: $179, Two year price: $315 and Three year price: $448
Blue Link Guidance: One year price: $279, Two year price: $491 and Three year price: $699

Too much money for me.

[EDIT - I take that back. Assurance is just Assurance. Essentials INCLUDES Assurance and Guidance includes all 3. That's not so bad. About $12 or $13 a month if you sign up for the Essentials package for 3 years]

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Blue Link Pricing

Hyundai is proud to announce pricing for the 2012 Blue Link Features.

Blue Link comes in three packages. Check them out below:

Blue Link Assurance:

One year price: $79

Two year price: $139

Three year price: $198

6 months free trial period (free trial period is doubled when a credit card is registered for auto renewal or when subscribing to multi-year plans.)

Features include:

Automatic Collision Notification And Assistance
SOS Emergency Assistance
Enhanced Roadside Assistance
Monthly Vehicle Report

Blue Link Essentials:

One year price: $179

Two year price: $315

Three year price: $448

3 months free trial period (free trial period is doubled when a credit card is registered for auto renewal or when subscribing to multi-year plans.)

In addition to Blue link Assurance - Features include:

Convenience
Remote Door Unlock/Lock
Remote Horn/Lights
Panic Notification
Remote Vehicle Start
Alarm Notification
Quick Tips
Location Sharing
Voice Text Messaging
Vehicle Self Diagnostics
Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification
Maintenance Alert
Recall Advisor
Web Vehicle Diagnostics
Service Link
Safeguard
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
Stolen Vehicle Slowdown
Vehicle Immobilization
Valet Alert
Geo-Fence
Speed Alert
Curfew Alerts

Blue Link Guidance:

One year price: $279

Two year price: $491

Three year price: $699

3 months free trial period (free trial period is doubled when a credit card is registered for auto renewal or when subscribing to multi-year plans.)

In addition to Blue link Assurance & Essentials – Features include:

Turn-By-Turn Navigation
Poi Search By Advanced Voice Recognition System
Poi Web Search And Download
Daily Route Guidance With Traffic Conditions
Traffic
Gas Station Locations And Gas Prices
Eco-Coach
Restaurant Ratings And Locations
Weather