Hyundai CEO says early Genesis Coupe sales numbers are "simply smoking"

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe - Click above for high-res gallery
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"Simply smoking." Those are the exact words that John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai USA, used to describe early sales of the automaker's new Genesis Coupe during a recent interview with Motor Trend. The highly-anticipated two-door is selling better than the Genesis Sedan, which arrived on the market last year, even though Hyundai has focused more advertising dollars on the larger luxury sedan.

Still a newcomer, the Genesis Coupe is offered in turbocharged 2.0-liter and normally-aspirated 3.8-liter trim. The bulk of the cars on dealer lots have been the V6 models, with the late-to-arrive four-cylinder variants (including the Track model and next year's R-Spec model) yet to make a significant impact on sales. Seemingly undeterred by its $27,500 sticker price, Krafcik says that more than 50 percent of the 3.8-liter buyers are driving home in the loaded Grand Touring model (the entry-level 2.0T starts at just $22,000).


Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe




[Source: Motortrend]Hyundai CEO says early Genesis Coupe sales numbers are "simply smoking" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[DieselHybrid]

I wonder if lower Sedan sales in light of all the advertising dollars spent might trigger any rebates/incentives for the Sedan.

Or does Hyundai intend for the Coupe to fill the sales gap the Sedans are leaving towards meeting their stated 50,000 sales per year goal?

 

[JOwest]

There is a pend up demand for the coupe, however, I think the sales number will level off after a little while.

 

[Dustin@Key Hyundai]

Supply and Demand... Its simple economics. The sedan had more "hype" built up, but the hype was short lived. The market for the sedan is still alive and flourishing, but the coupe stole its thunder. As much as Hyundai is going to say the market segments are different, the buy is actually very similar. The sedan does tend to go after an older market, but it still attracts a younger base.