Hyundai Equus Out-Sells More Cars Than You’d Expect in its First Month
 

http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/d/1...EQUUS-7988.jpg



When Hyundai first introduced the Genesis, people chuckled at a Korean automaker offering a rear-drive luxury car. Now established as a modestly successful model, Hyundai has ventured further into the luxury market with the full-sized Equus, designed to rival cars like the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS.



With the possibility that it could be a total flop and with even Hyundai execs and PR reps cautioning that it is in no way designed to be anywhere near a volume model, the new Hyundai flagship is off to a strong start. In its first month on sale, competing in a market packed with incentive-filled vehicles so dealers can meet year-end quotas, a total of 196 Equus models were purchased.



That might not sound like a lot, but the Equus actually out-sold 13 other cars in the market, including the much-hyped Nissan Leaf, of which just 19 were delivered in December. Equus sales also topped those of four exclusive, low volume brands: Rolls-Royce (39), Lamborghini (26), Ferrari (151) and Maserati (180).



The Equus topped the Acura RL (141 units), numerous sports cars including the Porsche Boxster and Audi TT, as well as a few other vehicles you’d expect it wouldn’t, like the Mercedes SL, SLK and CL.



The Equus is hardly a sound business case on its own, but it is helping to change Hyundai’s brand image. The Equus “shot right out of the gate� said Hyundai Motor America PR Rep Dan Bedore commenting that among niche market cars it’s a hit. “Dealers are clamoring for cars,� he says.



DECEMBER 2010 SALES



Equus: 196

Leaf: 19

Acura RL: 141

Rolls Royce: 39

Audi TT: 64

M-B SLK: 114

M-B SL: 173

M-B CL: 139

M-B SLS: 48

Cayman: 112

Boxster: 137

BMW 6: 70

Jaguar XK: 133

Nissan GTR: 38

Maserati: 180

Ferrari: 151

Lamborghini: 26

Mazda RX8: 95

That's actually very respectable. I would like to see it's sales numbers vs. other cars in the same price range to see how it did.