Nobody asked me but . . .

Hyundai has been selling cars in the US since 1986.  And after a bit of a sputtering start, the last decade has seen years of steady growth for Hyundai in this market.  Starting at a mere 0.6 percent market share in 1998, Hyundai reached 3.0 percent penetration in 2008 and in 2009, a year in which world-wide recession and plummeting auto sales affected virtually every auto maker in this market, Hyundai sales rocketed to a 4.2 percent share of market.

So what has Hyundai been doing right?  Seems like just about everything: Quality products competitively priced.  J.D. Power quality and North American Car of the Year Awards.  Attention grabbing warranty programs.  A job-loss vehicle return program.  Depreciation lower than Toyota and Ford.  High-tech powertrains.  Industry-leading fuel economy.  More standard features than the competition.  Leadership in active and passive safety technologies.  Oh, and did I mention styling?  Say hello to the eye-stopping 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

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Nobody asked me, but . . .

Take a practical and functional Nissan Sentra compact 4-door sedan and send it to a Jose Canseco athletic club for a 2-week “treatment” and what do you get?

Give up?

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Nobody asked me, but . . .

Since it’s introduction in 1981 the Maxima has been the flagship of Nissan’s sedan fleet.  With a strong emphasis on sportiness, it’s no surprise that the Maxima has been referred to as Nissan’s 4-door sports car.

The sixth-generation 2007 Maxima, available in sporty SE ($28,050 plus $605 destination charge) and luxury SL ($30,300) versions, expands upon that fun-to-drive tradition with extensive revisions to the Maxima’s classic coupe-like silhouette and distinctive C-pillar design.  Inside, the 2007 Maxima features a revised instrument panel and easier-to-read gauges, along with materials and fit and finish that create a richer, higher-quality look and feel. (more…)