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NEWS
Hyundai AG off the agenda for Oz
Large, front-drive sedan revealed in Busan last week is a 'niche too far' in the words of local spokesmanHyundai Australia has no intention of bringing the AG sedan to Australia, according to the importer's General Manager of Public Relations, Bill Thomas.
"It's domestic market only, [for] that car," the Hyundai Australia spokesman told motoring.com.au. "If you look at our mid-size portfolio we've already got i40 – sedan and wagon – and then Sonata on the way. We don't see a niche for a slightly larger, front-wheel drive car, especially as we've got Genesis coming towards the end of the year as well.
"I think it's just a niche too far for us."
Hyundai has previously learned from its Grandeur model that there's very limited market appeal in a front-wheel drive sedan larger than the mid-size family cars the company has sold here in the past, badged as i40, i45 and Sonata.
While the AG is understood to be built on an existing platform engineered for right-hand drive, it's not likely that cumulative sales in Australia and other RHD markets could justify right-hook versions.
Bill Thomas believes the new Sonata will provide everything Hyundai Australia needs of a car in the medium passenger car segment – and bringing in an even larger car would be simply overkill.
"I think Sonata can be very strong for us, because it looks good and it will come with a 2.0-litre turbo engine – so we can see that siding well against Mazda6 and Camry," he said.
For those buyers willing to spend more and up the ante, there will be the Genesis. That car, which is due here in a few months, will be a delicate balancing act for Hyundai.
"Our strategy for large car [marketing] is to keep it rear-wheel drive – and if we can price it keenly enough, Genesis will do okay for us. There's still a demand there for large, rear-wheel drive cars in Australia. We don't have any news on price for Genesis yet, but we're hoping to get it in under the 60 [thousand dollar] mark."
Picture: Facelifted Grandeur in white, new AG at left of picture at Busan motor show last week
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Written byKen Gratton
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