Any talk about Genesis-Equus spinning off?

[dickster]

Am I the only owner who feels that Hyundai dealers are not really prepared to service luxury cars? Their entire experience is dealing with low end purchasers and service accordingly. Mercedes, BMW and Lexus know they are in the luxury car biz and don't haggle with their customers. I don't think this experiment will work as it is presently set up.

 

[cschuler]

I have only one experience to share and only one comparison:

1/ My former dealer (Lincoln) had cookies and coffee.
2/ My Genesis dealer had no cookies.

Both had a lousy selection of magazines and nasty coffee.

 

[RLREILLY81]

I'm not sure if it will work or not. But I do feel that if they are going to try to swing with the big boys they need to really change things up. Case in point...

A friend of mine works for Porsche as a mechnice and I went to pick him up for lunch. Since I was early I decided to walk around the show room and try on all the cars I will never afford. The salesman approched me asked if I needed help and I explained that I was simply waiting for my friend to finish up and go to lunch.

Even with that knowledge that I was simply there to wait for him the salesman gave me Pellegrino and offered me to test drive any of the vehicles. Now I know that is part of his job but there is a different feel walking into the big boys showrooms and your average showroom.

While I think the break off Hyundai can achieve this, I am not sure if they are willing to go all in to do so. And IMO they would need to go all in and go heavy to make any high-end buyer look their way. Because sadly lets remember... its not about the quality of the car, its about the name that the car has. (Because if Mercedes was to advertise that an oil change is nearly $500 there would be less excitement about getting one.)

 

[ldrider]

The dealer experience is one reason I bought the Genesis. Our Lexus dealership is a fine dealership if you want "the Lexus lifestyle". I don't need marble floors, leather couches,my car washed, lattes and a $169.95 oil change. All I want is good service and a loaner car if needed for $29.95.

 

[dg_moore]

My Hyundai dealer is decidely unfancy - lousy coffee and not a doughnut to be found. But guess what - I spend as little time there as possible. They are cordial, fair, and have a competent and efficient service department. I don't need to be fawned over, and if I can get "Lexus quality" at Hyundai prices the choice is easy. My Lincoln dealer never had cookies, either, and sold me a lemon to boot.

 

[RLREILLY81]

My Hyundai dealer is decidely unfancy - lousy coffee and not a doughnut to be found. But guess what - I spend as little time there as possible. They are cordial, fair, and have a competent and efficient service department. I don't need to be fawned over, and if I can get "Lexus quality" at Hyundai prices the choice is easy. My Lincoln dealer never had cookies, either, and sold me a lemon to boot.

The dealer experience is one reason I bought the Genesis. Our Lexus dealership is a fine dealership if you want "the Lexus lifestyle". I don't need marble floors, leather couches,my car washed, lattes and a $169.95 oil change. All I want is good service and a loaner car if needed for $29.95.

While I agree whole heartily with both of you I think that we, as owners, are bias. To make this move work they have to gain owners of those other brands who do want the marble floor, the fancy latte's, and all the other pointless bells and whistles.

We all know that most luxury branding is about the hype not about the quality. Those people who think they are better then others because they have a certain car or a fancier house will spend the money to feel important. So as a business you must then make them feel like a unique individual snowflake. LOL

 

[Cut-Throat]

While I agree whole heartily with both of you I think that we, as owners, are bias. To make this move work they have to gain owners of those other brands who do want the marble floor, the fancy latte's, and all the other pointless bells and whistles.

We all know that most luxury branding is about the hype not about the quality. Those people who think they are better then others because they have a certain car or a fancier house will spend the money to feel important. So as a business you must then make them feel like a unique individual snowflake. LOL

If the Genesis can beat the other brands in reliability and road tests, the buyers will come. Dealership visits are what I am trying to avoid for the most part. If I am at the dealership after the sale, something is wrong.

I have been a Lexus Owner for 12 years.

 

[dickster]

Here is the difference. My one month old Genesis has a dead battery. Flatbed to the dealer who keeps it for four days and tells me that the battery had a weak cell and charged it. I asked for a new battery! They say can't do need a compute code. Do you think Mercedes BMW etc. would not put in a new battery? Car is one month old? Now I'm riding with jumper cables in my trunk because I believe it will happen again. Hyundai will go nowhere in the high end biz with this kinda attitude.

 

[Cut-Throat]

Here is the difference. My one month old Genesis has a dead battery. Flatbed to the dealer who keeps it for four days and tells me that the battery had a weak cell and charged it. I asked for a new battery! They say can't do need a compute code. Do you think Mercedes BMW etc. would not put in a new battery? Car is one month old? Now I'm riding with jumper cables in my trunk because I believe it will happen again. Hyundai will go nowhere in the high end biz with this kinda attitude.

I think you have a dealer problem, not a Hyundai problem per se. I have seen and experienced poor treatment from Lexus Dealers also. I have also seen excellent service from Lexus dealers. You can read a lot on this forum from Stellar Hyundai service as well

Look for a new dealer!

 

[dataguy]

I thought that they were going to do flatbed service, meaning that you don't visit a dealer, they pick up and drop off the car from you. And they're not going to let just any Hyundai franchise sell and service the Equus.

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[Mark_888]

There is probably always going to be a difference in service (not talking about donuts). Hyundai dealerships just don't pay their employees as much as Acura, Lexus, Infiniti. BMW, MB, etc. Probably not even as much as Honda and Toyota dealers. Apologies in advance if I offended anyone.

 

[dataguy]

I thought that they were going to do flatbed service, meaning that you don't visit a dealer, they pick up and drop off the car from you. And they're not going to let just any Hyundai franchise sell and service the Equus.

From the CEO of Hyundai Motors America http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/equus/hyundai-the-equus-story-by-john-krafcik.html :

But here's the best part. We'll come and pick up the Equus at your home or business and leave behind a service loan car for you to drive while we perform the work. And when we're done, we'll deliver your Equus back to you. That's pretty special, and unique in our industry. We call it Service Valet. With Equus, it's not about putting you at the front of the service line, it's about eliminating the line entirely and demonstrating extraordinary respect for your time. For many smart and affluent buyers, time is the ultimate luxury. Here, our low-volume aspirations enable us to provide this kind of personal touch. Lexus, BMW and Mercedes cannot match this service, as their volumes are simply too high.

 

[ctrcbob]

From the CEO of Hyundai Motors America http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/equus/hyundai-the-equus-story-by-john-krafcik.html :

I wonder if they only pick up your Equus from the closest dealer, or your selling dealer.

I purchased my car at Orlando Hyundai, about 30 miles from me. Their service department treats me like a king.

The closest dealer to me is Jenkins Hyundai in Leesburg, about 9 miles from me. Nice guys in sales, however I won't let them do any service on my car because I can't see the car, once they take it into the service area. I must be able to see the car when in for service.

Also, what about when you are on the road? In my case, if I am in Penfield or Roswell. Two dealers in the Penfield area. What if I want the further (sp) dealer to me to service my car, vice the closer dealer? Seeing as how I did not buy there, and have Florida tags, which dealer is going to come out to my Penfield address to service the car? In Roswell, the Hyundai dealer does not even have their own service department. They use the service department of the Toyota dealer. Is the Toyota dealer going to come over to my place in Roswell to take my Equus in for service?

Good questions for a prospective Equus owner.

In addition, whats with the "No Owners Manual", having it on a disc or an ipod, or something like that. What about us guys that don't have this equipment, or us guys that just are computer and ipod dummies? Just because someone has the money to buy and Equus does not mean he has computer or ipod smarts. (Yes, I'm a computer dummy).

 

[Cut-Throat]

Nice guys in sales, however I won't let them do any service on my car because I can't see the car, once they take it into the service area. I must be able to see the car when in for service.

This is a peccadillo you should seriously think of getting rid of. It's doing you more harm than good.

 

[dataguy]

In addition, whats with the "No Owners Manual", having it on a disc or an ipod, or something like that. What about us guys that don't have this equipment, or us guys that just are computer and ipod dummies? Just because someone has the money to buy and Equus does not mean he has computer or ipod smarts. (Yes, I'm a computer dummy).

The Equus will come with an Apple iPad, which is a very, very intuitive touchscreen tablet computer. http://www.youtube.com/user/Apple?feature=pyv&ad=4586558836&kw=apple ipad#p/u/0/1-YAQ1wfNqc

The service scheduling and owner's manual programs will run on that iPad. I'm sure they'll have print copies of the owner's manual available, as well as toll-free number, since it's incomprehensible that you wouldn't be able to service your car if you lost your iPad or just didn't have it around.

It remains to be seen how they handle the iPad activation, as that's generally done by the owner at his/her own computer. It's not difficult, but unless Hyundai works out something with Apple, it will probably involve some instructions on how to set up the iPad and download the Hyundai programs.

 

[nearwater]

The Equus will come with an Apple iPad, which is a very, very intuitive touchscreen tablet computer. http://www.youtube.com/user/Apple?feature=pyv&ad=4586558836&kw=apple ipad#p/u/0/1-YAQ1wfNqc

The service scheduling and owner's manual programs will run on that iPad. I'm sure they'll have print copies of the owner's manual available, as well as toll-free number, since it's incomprehensible that you wouldn't be able to service your car if you lost your iPad or just didn't have it around.

It remains to be seen how they handle the iPad activation, as that's generally done by the owner at his/her own computer. It's not difficult, but unless Hyundai works out something with Apple, it will probably involve some instructions on how to set up the iPad and download the Hyundai programs.

Lol. A manual for a manual.

Dan

 

[Mark_888]

The Equus will come with an Apple iPad, which is a very, very intuitive touchscreen tablet computer. http://www.youtube.com/user/Apple?feature=pyv&ad=4586558836&kw=apple ipad#p/u/0/1-YAQ1wfNqc

The service scheduling and owner's manual programs will run on that iPad. I'm sure they'll have print copies of the owner's manual available, as well as toll-free number, since it's incomprehensible that you wouldn't be able to service your car if you lost your iPad or just didn't have it around.

It remains to be seen how they handle the iPad activation, as that's generally done by the owner at his/her own computer. It's not difficult, but unless Hyundai works out something with Apple, it will probably involve some instructions on how to set up the iPad and download the Hyundai programs.

This is mostly marketing BS. You have to buy a wireless Internet access plan for it work as a service scheduling device. I would bet a lot of money that 90% of the time Equus owners will just call the dealer to set up an appointment.

BTW, the iPad computer itself is not intuitive. It depends on the software that is written for computer, and since no one has seen the Equus service app, then it is premature to say how intuitive it really is. And regardless of how well it works at the customer end, if the dealer doesn't know how the service app works on their end, then it is going to be a mess.

Over the years I have tried to use service appointment scheduling applications on various dealer websites (none of which were Hyundai), and it usually didn't work (such as when I show up, they have no record of my appointment even though I got an email confirmation of the appointment).

 

[dataguy]

This is mostly marketing BS. You have to buy a wireless Internet access plan for it work as a service scheduling device. I would bet a lot of money that 90% of the time Equus owners will just call the dealer to set up an appointment.

My guess is that Hyundai is not going to spring for the much more expensive (by $130) 3G cellular version of the iPad, but rather the cheaper WiFi version, which doesn't require a wireless plan (but does require access to either a WiFi hotspot or a wireless network in one's home or work).

No argument that it's probably not likely that it's going to be the only or even the most used way to set up the appointment. But for the younger and more tech-savvy set, it's much preferable to make the arrangements without having to have a service advisor listen to you for a few minutes and then transcribe that into one sentence: "customer states (fill in the blank) is broken."

And, yes, it's a marketing statement. I'm pretty sure that most owners will show the $500 owner's manual to their friends, family, and co-workers.

BTW, the iPad computer itself is not intuitive. It depends on the software that is written for computer, and since no one has seen the Equus service app, then it is premature to say how intuitive it really is. And regardless of how well it works at the customer end, if the dealer doesn't know how the service app works on their end, then it is going to be a mess.

I agree that it does remain to be seen what the app looks like and how the service experience will work in practice, but I was speaking more to Bob's concern about being, in his words, "a computer dummy." The iPad is about as simple as a computer is ever going to get to use. It's probably as difficult to use as a web browser.

Over the years I have tried to use service appointment scheduling applications on various dealer websites (none of which were Hyundai), and it usually didn't work (such as when I show up, they have no record of my appointment even though I got an email confirmation of the appointment).

My experience is that filling out those web forms is pretty useless as I've rarely gotten anything other than a call from the service advisor asking me what the problem was (which was entered in the form) and when I'd like to come in (which was also entered on the form).

 

[Mark_888]

No argument that it's probably not likely that it's going to be the only or even the most used way to set up the appointment. But for the younger and more tech-savvy set, it's much preferable to make the arrangements without having to have a service advisor listen to you for a few minutes and then transcribe that into one sentence: "customer states (fill in the blank) is broken."

And, yes, it's a marketing statement. I'm pretty sure that most owners will show the $500 owner's manual to their friends, family, and co-workers.

Most people think it is preferable to talk to a real person for something like car repair. Car repair is not like buying something from Amazon.

I can't believe that many young people would even be interested in the Equus, since it is bigger and slower than the Genesis V8, and at the price they are asking for an Equus, one can get a favorable lease on a BMW 5-Series (a real sport sedan). The Equus is an old man's car, or for someone who is a Hyundai lackey.

I could put my PDF version of the Genesis owners manual on an iPad, but I don't think any of my friends would be impressed.

 

[RLREILLY81]

I can't believe that many young people would even be interested in the Equus, since it is bigger and slower than the Genesis V8, and at the price they are asking for an Equus, one can get a favorable lease on a BMW 5-Series (a real sport sedan).

I would agree. From looking at the "Average Age of Driver" post that is going around I am one of the younger people who owns a Genny. And while the idea of the bigger more luxurious Equus is nice I cant see myself buying one. Nor could I see myself affording one!

Personal I would rather the bells and whistles cost be spent in the manufacturing of the car. IMO a vehicle that would cost me less in owning it over the lifetime is far more of a draw then have a fancy Nav system or any Apple product but that's just my opinion. Or knowing that the repairs were covered for a certain duration of time by the dealer would be worth the $$, much like BMW's.