[Informer]

After a few visits to Hyundai Showrooms and SC's...
The word is out...
Some SC's are already preparing to send their Technicians for YF Sonata trainings...
It's most likely by end April or early May, the YF will be launch...
A few days back, I drove passed a VW Passat...
The YF will look somewhat like that...
Sharing this...

[kenso]

Wah.. bro, where's the media preview they having..

Main Hyundai HQ in Glenmarie.

[TheGunner]

At the media preview this morning, HSDM did not release any pricing details as it is still subject to govt approval. We were shown a LHD pre-production unit of the Sonata YF and also a unit of the Tucson.

Specs are competitive, which you would read about in the story which we are set to publish later today, or early tomorrow. From what I saw, these two new models will really take the fight to the Japanese.

Pricing is set to rival equivalent Japanese offerings and with more features to boot.

[Kevin]

At the media preview this morning, HSDM did not release any pricing details as it is still subject to govt approval. We were shown a LHD pre-production unit of the Sonata YF and also a unit of the Tucson.

Specs are competitive, which you would read about in the story which we are set to publish later today, or early tomorrow. From what I saw, these two new models will really take the fight to the Japanese.

Pricing is set to rival equivalent Japanese offerings and with more features to boot.

If SD is banking on more features for the same price, it won't work (but I will secretly thank them for it can only mean I can pick up dirt cheap pre-registered YFs in about 2 years time)

Imagine the Peugeot 308 Turbo in its current form against the Honda Civic - both at similar prices. The Pug will never sell in its current numbers.

[kswei]

If SD is banking on more features for the same price, it won't work (but I will secretly thank them for it can only mean I can pick up dirt cheap pre-registered YFs in about 2 years time)

Imagine the Peugeot 308 Turbo in its current form against the Honda Civic - both at similar prices. The Pug will never sell in its current numbers.

Yes, I agreed with Kelvin, get a 2nd hand one if the price is near to the Jap. More worth it after 2 years.
Won't be buying anything at Jap price, look at i30 ? they can take their own sweet time to assemble the car, maybe 1 month 1 unit... or less.

[salam03]

Yes, I agreed with Kelvin, get a 2nd hand one if the price is near to the Jap. More worth it after 2 years.
Won't be buying anything at Jap price, look at i30 ? they can take their own sweet time to assemble the car, maybe 1 month 1 unit... or less.

" they can take their own sweet time to assemble the car, maybe 1 month 1 unit... or less."

Do u mean i30 is a CKD...?
I thought i30 is a CBU unit hence the pricier tag.

[TheGunner]

If SD is banking on more features for the same price, it won't work (but I will secretly thank them for it can only mean I can pick up dirt cheap pre-registered YFs in about 2 years time)

Imagine the Peugeot 308 Turbo in its current form against the Honda Civic - both at similar prices. The Pug will never sell in its current numbers.

In terms of specifications and build quality, my impression of the Sonata and Tucson is that they are good enough to match what the Japanese have to offer.

However, as you folks have rightly pointed out, our society still holds a high regard for Japanese makes, who certainly did not reach their current position overnight. All people like Hyundai and Kia can do is continue to develop and introduce better models and gradually win over the heart of consumers.

Brand building is a long and tedious exercise, especially if you're trying to induce a paradigm shift from existing marques.

However, make no mistake, behind the scenes, the Japanese are now getting very worried about Hyundai & Kia, which of course is good news for us consumers.

A final verdict is still pending a full review of these cars when launched, but until then, here's our story from materials garnered from the preview this morning.

Next-gen Hyundai Sonata & Tucson previewed to Malaysian media

[Kevin]

In terms of specifications and build quality, my impression of the Sonata and Tucson is that they are good enough to match what the Japanese have to offer.

However, as you folks have rightly pointed out, our society still holds a high regard for Japanese makes, who certainly did not reach their current position overnight. All people like Hyundai and Kia can do is continue to develop and introduce better models and gradually win over the heart of consumers.

Brand building is a long and tedious exercise, especially if you're trying to induce a paradigm shift from existing marques.

However, make no mistake, behind the scenes, the Japanese are now getting very worried about Hyundai & Kia, which of course is good news for us consumers.

A final verdict is still pending a full review of these cars when launched, but until then, here's our story from materials garnered from the preview this morning.

Next-gen Hyundai Sonata & Tucson previewed to Malaysian media

2 airbags in the high-spec variant? Gosh, that's extremely stingy especially when the Forte comes with 3 times more airbags! Let's hope the pricing takes this stingy airbag count into consideration

[tmcchan]

However, make no mistake, behind the scenes, the Japanese are now getting very worried about Hyundai & Kia, which of course is good news for us consumers.

And how are their local distributors reacting? By increasing their prices! Cases in point, the recent Vios and Lancer price hikes.

Does anyone feel their intelligence being insulted? <facepalm>

[dzat]

Yes, I agreed with Kelvin, get a 2nd hand one if the price is near to the Jap. More worth it after 2 years.
Won't be buying anything at Jap price, look at i30 ? they can take their own sweet time to assemble the car, maybe 1 month 1 unit... or less.

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Yeap, thats wht i did...bought my trajet 2005 cbu in 2007 wt rm30K discount .. ; )....happy & satisfied wt it