Hyundai halts US sales of 2011 Sonata due to lock issue

[OhioChick]

Source: Reuters

REUTERS, Feb 24, 2010, 09.07am IST

SEOUL/DETROIT: South Korea's Hyundai Motor has stopped US sales of its 2011 Sonata sedan due to door lock issues, sending its shares down more than 4% on concerns it could become snared in a damaging recall crisis like Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp.

Hyundai notified dealers late on Monday of potential faults in the front-door latches of the new model that could affect 5,000 vehicles, and the stop-sale order was put into effect at US dealers on Tuesday, a spokesman said.

But analysts drew a line between Toyota's recall woes and Hyundai's decision to suspend sales of the revamped Sonata, contrasting their handling of the problems.

"We were startled by news that the new Sonata, which people have pinned high hopes on, also had flaws," said Lee Seong-jae, a Kimwoo Securities analyst in Seoul. "But investor reaction is emotional. Hyundai has already found the defect and has started to ship replacement parts, unlike Toyota which appears to have been unclear about the causes of its defects since late last year."



Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/international-business/Hyundai-halts-US-sales-of-2011-Sonata-due-to-lock-issue/articleshow/5610134.cms

[Gore1FL]

1. Hyandai makes decent cars

I bought a 2010 Elantra this January.

That said, when a company rushes to put out a 2011 model in the first quarter of 2010, they are idiots. the same can be said for Kia's 2011 Soranto.

[dencol]

2. The 2011 Sonata is a beautiful car.

And I have a 2002 Hyundai Elantra after turning in my 2000 Chevy Cavalier early due to multiple mechanical flaws. Hyundai has stood by their warranty, no questions asked or hassles. The only thing I've done in 8 years and 144k miles is replaced the alternator ($350). I love that car, and would find it hard to believe their problems are anywhere near as serious as Toyota's!

[JCMach1]

3. Never has a single problem with my 2005 Hyundai Terracan

It sits at almost 100KM now and has no difficulties.

[UTUSN]

4. A repo dude said Hyundais improved lots from their beginnings

That when they went to reposess the early models, the people used to hand the repo dudes the keys.

[melm00se]

6. we used to call those

instant $500 cars. no matter what you paid for it, once you took it off the lot it became worth $500

[flvegan]

5. A few years ago, I never thought I'd say this...

Hyundai makes some really good cars. Never thought I'd ever say that about ANY Pacific Rim car maker, but they have definitely come a long way. Glad to see them taking proper responsibility for their product.

Found myself gawking at a Genesis coupe the other day at the market. Me...gawking at a Hyundai!!??