Hybrid wild card: Hyundai and its lithium polymer battery
Is the Sonata the right play?Hyundai has yet to sell a hybrid in the US, and it's first hybrid will be the Sonata hybrid. Without a unique hybrid, can Hyundai really compete in the hybrid cars segment?
Certainly, Hyundai's debut of its Blue Drive Hybrid system at the LA Auto Show - featuring lithium polymer batteries - was extremely compelling. Still, how much will this technology cost, and without a unique hybrid offering, does lithium polymer matter?
I'm not sure, but after today's impressive jump in vehicle quality by Hyundai, I can't help but wonder if Hyundai isn't ready to kick up its entire operation a notch - an operation significantly focused on fuel economy. Hyundai has made numerous forward looking statements on CAFE, hybrids, etc. in recent years, but has this all been just talk - typical auto industry PR - or has Hyundai been preparing for this walk all along?
Hyundai might just now be finding its stride, and if Hyundai has also mastered the lithium polymer battery for hybrid cars.......well, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, Hyundai, hyundai sonata hybrid, lithium battery
posted by Dahcredyns at
2:35 PM
7 Comments:
This post has been removed by the author.
Korean cars aren't as reliable as Japanese, but still not bad. I wonder if Mercedes or Audi is really better. People are having so much troubles with these brands. BMWs are also not especially good at times. And the cost a fortune.
Given a price of Korean car, it is a very decent choice.
Other than Luxury models, according to JDPower, Hyundai is now the most reliable brand sold in the US. They moved from 13th to 4th. That's very impressive.
I have owned two Hyundai's. One was a 2001 [60,000] miles and my latest a 2006 [40,000] miles.
One repair on the 2001 which was some switch and I can't even remember what it was. Car just ran, and ran and ran. Never even replaced the brakes.
The 2006 Elantra GLS is my current over-the-road gas mileage car. Consistently run 34-37 mpg at 70-80 mph on trips between Arizona and California with the AC on. Only one repair during the first 40,000 miles and that was a weeping/clicking clutch hydraulic cylinder which was covered under warranty. Fit, finish, performance and handling are all excellent. Dealer service has been very good and is never a hassle. Will test drive the new Chev. Volt when it arrives but will probably buy another Hyundai since quality has improved even more since mine was built.
Happy camper.
tomgarven@hotmail.com
yeah, tom, i've heard lots of great things about Hyundai, but their jump in quality just seems to scream that Hyundai has taken it to another level.
i've never been more excited about their hybrids.
a few years ago, hyundai predicted that the hybrid revolution would begin around 2011 - just when their hybrid products get rolling.
i get the feeling that hyundai has been doing a lot of hybrid and battery work behind the scenes. just because they haven't been as vocal as gm, for instance, doesn't mean they aren't just as far, or even further, along with battery technology.
under-promising and over-delivering is usually much more successful than over-promising and under delivering.
To: Dahcredyns
Agree with your comments and will be ready for a new vehicle in about 2-3 years.
Will defiantly look at the Hyundai's available at that time.
I also like the fact that Hyundai has decided to support a variable rate gas tax to level the cost of gasoline. This is a very logical, common sense and wise business decision.
Tom-
With you on the flexible gas tax. Also, I think such a tax could be developed in a way as to offset the hurt that a gas tax would cause some, especially those unable to afford upgrading their autos. And for those that can afford to upgrade, some of the money could be used for tax credits to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. I'd take that over cash for clunkers any day.
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