NBS BIF #12 Sign Up Thread

So .... you're in, right?

 

In between Corvettes and Teslas, I was a Hyundai driver. Yes, Hyundai/Kia definitely has cars above $40k, and worth so much more against the competition.

I remember an early ad for the V8 Genesis: "Size of a 7 series; performance of a 5 series; price of a 3 series." And as a V8 Genesis owner at the time, I can attest that's no shit.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not trading in my current car for, well, literally anything. But I have a lot of respect for what Hyundai created, and they eventually extended that quality into the Kia line with some very nice vehicles.

 

@Roy_Hobbs

Yes, Kia Motors falls under Hyundai (which does a lot more than cars, as well). Originally, the plan was for Kia to be the cheaper brand, kind of the Honda-Acura thing but cheaper at both levels. There is some crossover in their vehicles, as well; for a time (I think to this day), they both offered the exact same small-size and mid-size SUVs, but with different names. Same vehicles, though.

They do operate independently, and Kia's strategy shifted to being a "sportier" brand. Then, with the NBA partnering, they started offering their own "luxury" cars - in this case, still in the $40-60k range, so we're not talking about S-Class or 7-Series money here.

Hyundai originally planned on launching Genesis as a third brand under the same company, the same as Toyota-Lexus, but decided they didn't have enough of an established base at the time (IIRC, they did launch Genesis sans-Hyundai labeling in Europe, much the same as Corvette eschews any Chevrolet branding in Europe except the bowtie lurking in the crossed flags logo).

After the success of the Genesis cars, and expanding the line, they eventually made it official and split off the brand. So, it's three brands under one company: Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis. But, as RH mentioned, they operate pretty much independently.

Sorry, I go way back with Kia and Hyundai. I've owned one Hyundai and one Genesis; I bought my ex-wife one Hyundai and one Kia; and my current partner has a Kia.