Hey all, one of my students is studying international marketing. She is studying Hyundai's international marketing in the field of cars. I told her I'd post some quick questions to get a rough idea of people's opinions.
So, When I say "Hyundai cars", what are your first thoughts on their brand and their cars?

I like my 19 year old Mercury Grand Marquis just fine. It runs like a top and these cars are known for being built to last. Mine is living proof that they were.

I forget where I got this from but I was under the impression that Hyundai are not a high quality brand. I don't perceive them as a car I'd even consider if I was in the market for one. My impression is they make sales on inexpensive cars that are not built to last. I do have to confess though that when it comes to cars I have a thing about buying American and supporting American workers and their families. This should not be misunderstood to mean I dislike other peoples around the world. It could more be thought of as wanting to support the home team.

- Budget car
- Cheap to run
- Decent after sales service and support
- Plenty of standard extras such as air-con, cruise control etc.,

I may be entirely wrong but these are my first impressions.

I live in Michigan so of course my first thought is "Foreign piece of shit."

have a personal experience with Hyundai santro and i10
so what would be the first thoughts

- low cost
- good space and comfort
- decent features audio , ac etc even on basic models
- low maintenance costs
- good control , efficient

I cannot pronounce it any other way than "Hi-un-DIE" after watching Top Gear. That's about it. Americans typically pronounce it "Hun-day".

We used one transporter. No big but many small problems with it and than it took time to fix them cause we had to find a way to get to them (sometimes it felt like we had to re-model the car).

Progress is the first thing that comes to mind. I don't own a car nor travel in one very often, but I've got the image of Hyundai (and Kia) having been cheap and a bit crap ten, fifteen years ago, but comparable to and competitive with older, established brands these days.

My experience with them is only from when I get stuck with a Hyundai rental car. It's cheap in build quality and price of the car. From my rental experiences it appears power windows and locks are an add-on, a decent stereo with BT streaming is an add-on, the power outlets are under-powered (smartphone will die while plugged in and screen turned on). I would rather drive a Hyundai than a Kia or Scion. I still think it is in the same class as Kia or Scion, but slightly better in my opinion.

I rank the cars I can rent this way (the models I have rented):

1st Ford (Focus, Fusion, Mustang)
2nd Chevy (Impala, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu)
3rd VW (Jetta)
4th Dodge (Avenger, Charger)
5th Toyota (Prius, Corolla, Camry)
6th Mazda (Don't remember)
7th NIssan (Sentra, Versa, Altima, Cube)
8th Hyundai (Elantra, Accent, Sonata)
Worst Scionn (xB)
Worst Kia (Sorento, Optima, Soul)

Top 5 on my list I usually don't complain about. But the one's that are missing power windows and locks are a big negative, and the Jetta has a few things I hate about or it would be number one. I'm no gear head, so all of this is petty BS.

Jetta complaints
changing the clock or the trip meter is a challenge without reading the manual - who designed this awkward crap
The coin holder is in the glove box - why the hell
No USB, No BT - at least the ones I keep getting stuck with.
Have to press brake pedal to start the car - idiotic safety feature.
Have to turn off and remove the key to pop the trunk or unlock the doors with the key fob.
No trunk release in the floor board or door.
I will say at least they added cup holder's...previous model years did not have one if I remember correctly. I would prefer them in front of the e-brake and gear shift.

The only time I've driven an Hyundai was in Need For Speed Underground. =P

LOL same here! :D

I drove it for about 2/3 of a race. That son of a bitch can't turn at all! Go Mazda when you play Underground!

I remember it not to be that bad, at least not as bad as the Audi TT in Underground 2, but yes, the Mazda RX-7 FD is my choice car also and a very sexy looking car too if I may say so. =P

I drove a Hyundai Getz for a while. It was slow and didn't maneuvre well. I switched to a Daihatsu Sirion which was much better. So I don't associate Hyundai with top quality. I also let a colleague test drive my Mazda 2 Sedan and he said he feels every bump in the road a lot more in his equivalent Hyundai model (can't remember which one it is).