Hyundai badge vs Equus badge and year to year changes

[Ludacrisvp]

So I've been shopping around for an Equus and have noticed that some have different badging on them.
(Ultimate trim level is the only one I'm considering and looking to keep it under 30k)

Most of them have the Equus unique badge all around but some have the Hyundai badge on them, typically the trunk lid and I think I saw one on the steering wheel.

Anyways ... Is there a significance to this? Like signature vs ultimate? or a certain year change?

So from what I can tell:
2011 is intro year for USA (4.xL engine and 6spd)
2012 introduced 8spd trans and 5.0L engine
2013 ??
2014 new gauge cluster, clock, HUD, dual rear screens, 60/40 rear split bench option on ultimate
2015 ??

Can someone expand on this list for me?

Also, are there any "rare" options?

 

[Mark_888]

In Korea, they are sold as a Equus brand, with no Hyundai badges. In the US, they are sold as Hyundai Equus with some Hyundai badges. Many people have purchased the Korean badges from importers and replace the USA badges to remove any reference to Hyundai. That is why some have all Equus badges, and some have Hyundai badges. Same for Genesis.

I would avoid the 2012, as there were some issues with the early 5.0 engines and the new 8-speed transmission. Same drivetrain as the Genesis.

Starting as the 2017 model, the Equus will now be called the Genesis G90, and look like a larger Genesis (which will be called the 2017 G80).

 

[Ludacrisvp]

Good to know about the '12.
Seems like a lot of people went down the badge swap road as the vast majority of what I've seen for sale was swapped.

 

[Mark_888]

Seems like a lot of people went down the badge swap road as the vast majority of what I've seen for sale was swapped.

Yep. Either remove all the Hyundai USA badges and replace them with the Korean ones, or wear a paper bag over your head so no one sees you driving a Hyundai.

Even some dealers got into the act, and put the Korean badges on before the cars were sold.

 

[Ludacrisvp]

Do you know if the badges cover mounting holes in the trunk lid and hood?

If there aren't holes or an indent I'd probably go for the shaved look (no badging of any kind - no Equus text, no Hyundai or Equus badge) I might, however, keep the hood ornament that some have changed to have.

 

[Mark_888]

Do you know if the badges cover mounting holes in the trunk lid and hood?

If there aren't holes or an indent I'd probably go for the shaved look (no badging of any kind - no Equus text, no Hyundai or Equus badge) I might, however, keep the hood ornament that some have changed to have.

On the Genesis for those same model years, there are holes in the trunk for the rear badge, but not on the hood (Genesis did not come any hood badge in the USA until 2015). Not sure how that works on the Equus.

 

[turnne]

On the Genesis for those same model years, there are holes in the trunk for the rear badge, but not on the hood (Genesis did not come any hood badge in the USA until 2015). Not sure how that works on the Equus.

from the Equus that I test drove

I dont think the 2011-2012 had any Hyundai badges from the factory
This may be true as well for the 2013

in 2014 it looks they started putting the Hyundai badge on the trunk lid...from the factory

Warren

 

[Mark_888]

from the Equus that I test drove

I dont think the 2011-2012 had any Hyundai badges from the factory
This may be true as well for the 2013

in 2014 it looks they started putting the Hyundai badge on the trunk lid...from the factory

Warren

The Equus did indeed come with the Hyundai flying H on the trunk for 2011-2112 (ever since introduction to USA). Hood is different story.

A lot of dealers changed the H out with the KDM badge before they even put the cars out for sale, which is why it may have appeared to be a factory item. They purchased the KDM badges the same place everyone else did, from small importers who had websites or sold on eBay or Amazon. The importers simply bought the KDM badges from the parts department of a dealership in Korea that sold Equus, and imported and sold them in the USA. In other words, for both Genesis and Equus, the versions sold in Korea have never had any Hyundai badge on them.

At one point, HMA complained to the dealers about this (and same for Genesis), since the whole purpose of importing the Equus as a Hyundai was to "build the Hyundai brand" in the eyes of the consumer. Some dealers stopped doing it after HMA complained, and some continued.

Members of this forum started swapping out the badges on the Genesis starting with the 2009 MY, before any dealers started getting into the act.

Obviously, starting with 2017 MY, HMA has thrown in the towel, and Genesis G80 and G90 will not have any Hyundai badges.

 

[turnne]

The Equus did indeed come with the Hyundai flying H on the trunk for 2011-2112 (ever since introduction to USA). Hood is different story.

A lot of dealers changed the H out with the KDM badge before they even put the cars out for sale, which is why it may have appeared to be a factory item. They purchased the KDM badges the same place everyone else did, from small importers who had websites or sold on eBay or Amazon. The importers simply bought the KDM badges from the parts department of a dealership in Korea that sold Equus, and imported and sold them in the USA. In other words, for both Genesis and Equus, the versions sold in Korea have never had any Hyundai badge on them.

At one point, HMA complained to the dealers about this (and same for Genesis), since the whole purpose of importing the Equus as a Hyundai was to "build the Hyundai brand" in the eyes of the consumer. Some dealers stopped doing it after HMA complained, and some continued.

Members of this forum started swapping out the badges on the Genesis starting with the 2009 MY, before any dealers started getting into the act.

Obviously, starting with 2017 MY, HMA has thrown in the towel, and Genesis G80 and G90 will not have any Hyundai badges.

interesting
I have never seen a 2011 or 2012 with a flying H on the trunk

The keyfobs even have the Equus symbol on them vs the flying H

Warren

 

[Mark_888]

interesting
I have never seen a 2011 or 2012 with a flying H on the trunk

I have.

But there are not that many flying H's on any Genesis or Equus these days, especially when the dealer started getting into the act of replacing them before they were even sold.

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[turnne]

I have.

But there are not that many flying H's on any Genesis or Equus these days, especially when the dealer started getting into the act of replacing them before they were even sold.

every 2014 and newer Equus I have seen, at dealers, has had the Hyundai flying H badge on the trunk

I am not sure about the key fobs

As I said before

all of the Equus cars I test drove( 2011-2012) has the Equus symbol on the trunk as well as Equus symbols on the keyfobs

Warren

 

[Mark_888]

every 2014 and newer Equus I have seen, at dealers, has had the Hyundai flying H badge on the trunk

I am not sure about the key fobs

As I said before

all of the Equus cars I test drove( 2011-2012) has the Equus symbol on the trunk as well as Equus symbols on the keyfobs

Warren

I didn't say anything about the keyfob. I don't know about that. It may be that they did not bother to put the flying H on the Equus keyfob because the Equus was such a low volume car, that it was to cost effective to make a special keyfob just for USA.

It doesn't matter what you have seen during test drives. What matters is that the Hyundai Equus and Hyundai Genesis sold in the USA have always had the flying H on the trunk when shipped to dealers. What happens after that is a different story.

 

[turnne]

I didn't say anything about the keyfob. I don't know about that. It may be that they did not bother to put the flying H on the Equus keyfob because the Equus was such a low volume car, that it was to cost effective to make a special keyfob just for USA.

It doesn't matter what you have seen during test drives. What matters is that the Hyundai Equus and Hyundai Genesis sold in the USA have always had the flying H on the trunk when shipped to dealers. What happens after that is a different story.

I know you didnt say anything about the keyfob
I was adding that as a matter of fact

do you have any verifiable data that ALL of the Equus had flying H's on them when they were shipped to dealers?

or..is this another typical "theory" that you have based on some thoughts you had

such as
corporate car fleet management...paying cash for cars..possible bank interest rates...warranties on the Equus..."jealous" C class buyers....and many more things I have seen you post that were not factually based

Warren

 

[Mark_888]

I know you didnt say anything about the keyfob
I was adding that as a matter of fact

do you have any verifiable data that ALL of the Equus had flying H's on them when they were shipped to dealers?

or..is this another typical "theory" that you have based on some thoughts you had

such as
corporate car fleet management...paying cash for cars..possible bank interest rates...warranties on the Equus..."jealous" C class buyers....and many more things I have seen you post that were not factually based

Warren

Verifiable data? I was at a dealer when the Equus first came out and saw one. I also saw the TV commercials, and Hyundai website photos, both of which had flying H's. I saw one in a parking lot with a flying H (before 2013).

Your claims that there is anything wrong with my other posts is incorrect. Your campaign to discredit me started when I challenged your ridiculous claim that there are tax benefits to leasing vs buying, which is wrong if one follow IRS rules and does not commit tax fraud. I actually have some knowledge of this subject since I have been a CPA for a long time.

You other claims above about my "theories" are too vague to comment on, other than the MB C Class. I never said that C class buyers are jealous. You need to look jealous up in the dictionary. I did admit that the new C Class is much better than previous versions, but how many people would buy that car if it was sold as a Hyundai? So they are not jealous, but are buying into the idea of a prestigious luxury auto by getting the cheapest version that not many think is such a great luxury car. Nothing unique about that, all automakers do the same thing.

Hyundai tried to do the same with the Genesis and Equus, by building the brand reputation so more people who were shopping for a Camry or Accord would at least test drive a Sonata (back 7 years, an amazing number of buyers of Honda or Toyota never even considered Hyundai). At least that is what HMA CEO said in no uncertain terms. That's the reason why both the Genesis and Equus were originally sold as Hyundai's in the USA, when they are not in Korea. "Build the brand."

BTW, The AMG C class is a whole different animal, and probably costs more than a E class.

 

[turnne]

Verifiable data? I was at a dealer when the Equus first came out and saw one. I also saw the TV commercials, and Hyundai website photos, both of which had flying H's. I saw one in a parking lot with a flying H (before 2013).

Your claims that there is anything wrong with my other posts is incorrect. Your campaign to discredit me started when I challenged your ridiculous claim that there are tax benefits to leasing vs buying, which is wrong if one follow IRS rules and does not commit tax fraud. I actually have some knowledge of this subject since I have been a CPA for a long time.

You other claims above about my "theories" are too vague to comment on, other than the MB C Class. I never said that C class buyers are jealous. You need to look jealous up in the dictionary. I did admit that the new C Class is much better than previous versions, but how many people would buy that car if it was sold as a Hyundai? So they are not jealous, but are buying into the idea of a prestigious luxury auto by getting the cheapest version that not many think is such a great luxury car. Nothing unique about that, all automakers do the same thing.

Hyundai tried to do the same with the Genesis and Equus, by building the brand reputation so more people who were shopping for a Camry or Accord would at least test drive a Sonata (back 7 years, an amazing number of buyers of Honda or Toyota never even considered Hyundai). At least that is what HMA CEO said in no uncertain terms. That's the reason why both the Genesis and Equus were originally sold as Hyundai's in the USA, when they are not in Korea. "Build the brand."

BTW, The AMG C class is a whole different animal, and probably costs more than a E class.

Vague..LOL

So..your "tax" idea was vague
I will give you that

However..factually incorrect statements you have made include

1. trying to tell me how my company operates their company car fleet...completely false
2. Saying that a 2.5% interest rate car loan was not obtainable unless it was subsidized by a manufacturer last year
Completely false as I have one through Chase that Hyundai had nothing to do with
3. Verbal contracts are never binding
Completely false and dont take my word for it call your lawyer

Now...from a simply doesnt make sense scenario

Your tax ideas do not apply to all scenarios

and Paying cash for a car

why?...when I could get a 2.5% interest rate and make money on cash in investments vs something that is literally losing value every month consistently
And you dont have to be a very savvy investor to make far more than 2.5% annually on investments

The BMW 5 series has always overshadowed the Mercedes E class

Hmm...my question to you then...that you never answered
How do you define that...since the Mercedes E class has handily outsold the BMW 5 series..a direct competitor...for at least the last 15 years?

as for this statement

" I was at a dealer when the Equus first came out and saw one. I also saw the TV commercials, and Hyundai website photos, both of which had flying H's. I saw one in a parking lot with a flying H (before 2013)."

so..this means that they all came with the Flying "H"..right?...

A question for you...since you said C class buyers are jealous
Are Elantra/Sonata/genesis buyers jealous of Equus owners?

BTW..the AMG models( like the BMW M models) cost considerably more than their standard models
You will notice an AMG E class will cost considerably more than an AMG C class...ditto with an AMG S class costing considerably more than either of them

IMO..the previous generation C class was a much better driving and refined car than the first generation Genesis

I have not driven the most recent C class or genesis cars and cannot comment on what..if anything..has changed

As for Hyundai "building" the brand..ok
They sell their cars, in lesser quantities, at a lower price than competitors
Times have changed in the last 20 years/..for sure..as they improve
But the fact remains they sell far fewer Sonata's than the Toyota/Honda counterparts and also at a lower price
They also retain less resale than the Toyota/Honda counterparts
So..the market clearly thinks there is a difference and is willing to pay for it


Warren

 

[Mark_888]

so..this means that they all came with the Flying "H"..right?...

Yes, it does. All Hyundai Equus designed to be sold in the USA have had a flying H on the trunk as shipped from the factory. What happens after that may be different.

That will change with the Genesis G90 when it will have no flying H on the trunk.

As far as all the other stuff, your claims about what I said are distorted in order for you to save face when I proved you wrong.