WOW!! Free Apple iPad with every lease. Santa's coming early to our stores!

This offer is for a limited time only...HURRY! With any lease, between 11/24 and 11/30, a free Apple iPad is yours! Happy Holidays and HO-HO-HO!

Don't miss our Grand Opening! November 18...save the date!

TUSTIN HYUNDAI GRAND OPENING TO BENEFIT SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

First 150 People Who Bring a Canned Food Item Will Receive Free Meal from Popular Food Trucks, Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels and Tropical Shave Ice

TUSTIN, Calif. -- Tustin Hyundai, which opened in the Tustin Auto Center on Sept. 27, 2010, will celebrate its official grand opening on Thurs., Nov. 18, from 6:30-8:30pm, with a special visit from one of Southern California’s favorite food trucks, Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels.
The first 150 people who attend the event with a canned food item will receive a free meal from the Piaggio food truck, which, with its gourmet Argentine menu, has become one of the most well-reviewed food trucks in Orange County. Collected food items will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, just in time to help prepare holiday meals for those in need. For dessert, Tustin Hyundai has brought in another crowd favorite food truck, authentic Tropical Shave Ice, family-owned and operated by the Kukahiko family, whose blood lines can be traced back to the streets of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. For those who want seconds, a complete meal can be purchased for $10.00 plus tax.
Located at 5 Auto Center Drive, Tustin Hyundai is the third dealership recently added to John Patterson’s family of dealerships, which includes Huntington Beach Mazda, in Huntington Beach, and Tustin Mazda, which is just three doors down at 28 Auto Center Drive.
“Since we opened our doors just over a month ago, we’ve been very pleased with the reception we have received from local Hyundai enthusiasts and car buyers,” said John Patterson, owner, Tustin Hyundai and president, OC Auto Team. “Business has already exceeded our initial expectations, and our customers have been pleasantly surprised to see a Hyundai dealer in their neighborhood at the Tustin Auto Center. Car buyers are very interested in the Genesis, but it’s not the only attention-getter in the line-up. With the 5-star safety rating recently awarded to the Sonata, it, too, has become one of our top sellers.”
For more information about the grand opening, please visit www.tustinhyundai.com or contact Lynda Nelson at 714-647-2000.

About the John Patterson OC Auto Team
Founded in 2004, John Patterson’s OC Auto Team, which includes Huntington Beach Mazda in Huntington Beach, Calif., Tustin Hyundai in Tustin, Calif., and Tustin Mazda in Tustin, Calif., has earned its reputation as an award-winning, customer service focused company. In addition, the OC Auto Team was named as a Top Work Place by the Orange County Register in 2008 and again in 2009, and has once again been nominated for the same award in 2010. While meeting the customer’s needs remains a top priority at OC Mazda, supporting the community goes hand-in-hand with that goal. A charitable donation is made for every car sold at all OC Auto Team locations. To date, over $500,000 has been donated to local schools, churches and charities. Patterson’s long range vision is to have donated $1 million by the time he and his employees celebrate their 10-year anniversary in 2014. John Patterson, owner and president, lives in the Orange County area with his wife Julie and son Connor.

Contact:
Lynda Nelson, OC Auto Team
(714) 647-2000, lnelson@ochyundai.com

Join us for the most exciting Oktoberfest EVER!

To celebrate the world's biggest party, we're announcing our own brand of Oktoberfest!

For the entire of month of October, for anyone coming in for a test drive, you will be eligible to enter our Oktoberfest Contest. Should you be the lucky winner, we will fly you and a guest to Germany! In addition, your hotel accommodations will include being our guest at the Ritz Carlton! The Ritz Carlton Wolfsburg is truly one of the most beautiful hotels we've ever seen!

There has never been a test-drive event like this one...Hurry in, October only lasts 31 days!!

Guten Tag! Lassen Sie Uns Feiern!

We're Hiring!

Along with our move to the Tustin Auto Center, we are also looking for some new employees!
Did you know that the OC Auto Team has been voted Top WorkPlace for the past two years?

We're a fun, hard working bunch, led by a high energy leader (who was awarded Top Leader in Orange County this year!). We'd love to hear if you are interested in working for us! Just inquire at our Tustin Mazda store, located at 28 Auto Center Drive, Tustin 92782.

The OC Auto Show! For FREE tickets, see the blue link below!

A look at some of last year's fun!


Please, be our Guest!!

You are just a click away from getting yourself a free ticket to the Orange County Auto Show, October 7-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The OC Auto Show, produced by Motor Trend, is going to have the hottest new cars, exotics, classics and more! They also have Ride and Drives available with Buick, Chevy, Ford, GMC, Toyota and the Nissan Leaf. This show is going to be awesome!

Click on the link for your FREE Orange County Auto Show ticket!www.autoshowtickets.com/oc/index.asp?code=OCOCHYD



http://www.ochyundai.com/

We're packing up and moving...Tustin Auto Center, here we come!

OC Hyundai Moves from Santa Ana to Tustin Auto Center in Late September
New Location Will Be One of Few Hyundai Dealerships to Sell New, Luxury “Equus” Model


TUSTIN, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2010) -- OC Hyundai (www.ochyundai.com) , which opened at the Santa Ana Auto Mall in March 2010, will move to the Tustin Auto Center this month, with doors poised to be open on Monday, Sept. 27. As Hyundai’s popularity grows among car buyers in Orange County and across the nation, the new location just off the 5 Freeway in Tustin offers easier access to car buyers and service customers.
Additionally, OC Hyundai will be one of few select Hyundai dealerships in the country to receive the new, luxury Equus model, which will make its U.S. debut in October.
“Since OC Hyundai opened last March, we’ve seen a tremendous surge in sales and service customers,” said John Patterson, owner, OC Hyundai. “In just five months, OC Hyundai has become the highest-rated Hyundai dealership in California according to DealerRater.com. We are moving locations to be more centrally located for our loyal customers.”
Patterson embraces the opportunity to introduce the extensive line-up that Hyundai has to offer, as well as Hyundai’s commitment to customer service, community support, and their aggressive campaign to raise funds for kids fighting cancer, through Hyundai’s Hope On Wheels Foundation.
The general manager of the new OC Hyundai at the Tustin Auto Center will be Troy Kerth, a 25 year industry veteran. “Troy is extremely talented and dedicated to delivering an uncompromising experience to our customers,” said Patterson.
OC Hyundai will be located at 5 Auto Center Drive, in Tustin, Calif. 92782, just three doors away from Tustin Mazda, which along with Huntington Beach Mazda, are part of the John Patterson OC Auto Team.
For more information, visit www.ochyundai.com, or call (714) 647-2000.

About the John Patterson OC Auto Team
Founded in 2004, John Patterson’s OC Auto Team has earned its reputation as an award-winning, customer service focused company. In addition, the OC Auto Team was named as a Top Work Place by the Orange County Register in 2008 and again in 2009. They have once again been nominated for this same award in 2010. While meeting the customer’s needs remains a top priority at OC Mazda, supporting the community goes hand-in-hand with that goal. A charitable donation is made for every car sold at all OC Auto Team locations. To date, over $500,000.00 has been donated to local schools, churches and charities. Patterson’s long range vision is to have donated one million dollars by the time he and his employees celebrate their 10 year anniversary, in 2014. John Patterson, owner and President, lives in the Orange County area with his wife, Julie and son Connor.

# # #

OC Hyundai's first ever POKER RUN....Join us this Sunday!!!

Save this Date!!!

Sunday, August 15 could be the best day behind the wheel of your Hyundai Genesis yet!
All Local Hyundai and Genesis drivers are welcome and encouraged to join OC Hyundai in our first, ever Poker Run!
Meet us at OC Hyundai located at 1405 Auto Mall Drive, Santa Ana, 92705 this Sunday, August 15, 2010 between 10-11:45 am to sign up.
Have some lunch on us and then, ladies and gentleman, start your engines. We're leaving at noon for fun drive and a winning hand of poker!
There will be a total of five stops, including the first one, right here at the dealership. At every stop, you'll be given directions for your next stop along with one playing card.

At the end of the course, the drivers with the top 3 best poker hand win!!
But don't despair, those of you whose poker hands look less than desirable, you'll be gifted for simply joining us, and there could also be some mystery gifts for the worst hand, and for some hands in the middle of the poker pack!
Mark your calendars, gas up your rides and bring your lucky charms....this is going to be tons of fun!
The only requirements are that you make a reservation with Lynda Nelson, at lnelson@ochyundai.com or call 714-647-2000, that you are driving a Hyundai Genesis and that you plan to have a fun-filled afternoon road trip!

Lynda can also be reached at 714.848.7739 or cellular at 714-273-5523.

► Hyundai Equus sedan 2011 at NY 2010

www.ocmazda.com

Hyundai Equus and OC Hyundai

With the introduction of this incrediable new product from Hyundai, the classic, the highline, the 2011 Equus, we wanted to inform our viewers of our latest news. We are proud to announce that OC Hyundai, in business for just 4 months, has been awarded as one of the very few dealers to be chosen as a certified 2011 Equus Dealer! While we are humbled by this award, we are also looking forward to showcasing the beauty that is Equus to our many viewers and clients.

We invite you to register for your VIP presentation of the most talked about vehicle to hit these shores in years. Please click here http://www.ocequus.com/, or call 714-647-2000, to reserve your very exclusive test drive! Once your appointment has been set, we will drive the Equus to you....

The 2011 Hyundai Equus
From Edmonds.com

The 2011 Hyundai Equus won't likely be lacking any amenities. Beyond a full load of typical convenience features, Hyundai will be offering the Equus with available features like a massaging driver seat, a grille-mounted camera to help detect objects when parking, and a premium surround-sound audio system with 17 speakers. Hyundai also plans to supply the car's owner's manual on an Apple iPad.

But even with features galore and pricing tens of thousands less than its big-name competition, this new luxury sedan will face the same challenge the Genesis does: getting premium brand shoppers interested. Though one might assume that those prestige-conscious buyers wouldn't give the Equus a moment's consideration, recent history has shown that even these folks can't resist strong value, if the success of the Genesis sedan is any indication.

http://www.ochyundai.com/

http://www.ocequus.com/

Hyundai Uncensored

http://www.ocmazda.com

Matt Degen's Auto Motion, from the OC Register, writes about our Elantra!

"No, the Elantra is not exactly executive-class. The name of the game here is inexpensive, reliable and most of all fuel-efficient transportation. That last boast is one of the best things about the Elantra Blue. The four-door, five-passenger vehicle is rated at 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, up eight percent and six percent, respectively, from the 2009 Elantra GLS. The dash is Spartan, but every button is clearly labeled and within reach. The cool blue lighting at night is a nice touch.
What the Elantra Blue lacks in creature comforts and panache it makes up for in warranty, which is Hyundai’s standard 10-year, 100,000-mile guarantee for the powertrain.
There’s no arguing that the Elantra Blue provides a good value and great gas mileage from an automaker that is truly coming up in the world. I would recommend the car for young drivers or folks on a budget whose priority is to get from Point A to Point B without having to stop at the bank along the way."


To read Matt's complete article, please click here http://auto.ocregister.com/2010/07/02/review-2010-hyundai-elantra-blue-is-about-the-basics/37413/#more-37413

~And keep in mind that we are selling our full Elantra line-up well below invoice (which is already low) and will be selling at these blow-out prices all month long!
http://www.ochyundai.com


Happy 4th!

Discover Equus...Discover for yourself what luxury now is. The Equus will be at OC Hyundai today and through the weekend, making a rare appearance

Before this amazing car is ready for the sales line, which we anticipate to be sometime in September of this year, you have an opportunity to see it this weekend at OC Hyundai. We are one of the few dealers in the region who will be selling this beautifully designed luxury automobile.

What's being said about the Equus:

"In Korea, Equus is powered by a Lambda 3.8L V-6 (290-hp/264 lb-ft) and Tau 4.6L V-8 (375-hp/333 lb-ft) and features a handsome design. Its exterior is matched with many highly advanced creature comforts and safety options as well. There's even talk of a bigger 5.0L Tau V-8 coming to the model range for added performance." - Motor Trend

"In addition to the big mills, it'll get an 8 speed automatic transmission, Lane Departure Warning System, Vehicle Stability Management System and Pre-Safety Seatbelt System." -- Jalopnik

"The cabin where the Equus shows that it's truly meant to do battle against the likes of the Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS and BMW 7 Series. All the toys are present: push-button start, a console-mounted control interface for the in-car systems, classy wood accents, upmarket switchgear, and even Grey Poupon snack trays for the rear passengers. Oh, those rear passengers get massaging back seats, as well. It's very impressive looking and it stinks of quality. If Hyundai ever decides to gamble and attack the next price segment up from the Genesis sedan, they clearly have the ammo to do so. The Equus is the real deal." - Autoblog

"In Korea the car starts at the equivalent of $96,000, and taking on the Benz S-Class in America is not what Hyundai has in mind. At least not yet. Hyundai hopes to get the price down to near $50,000 in the States, where it would give Genesis sedan owners a car to move up into." -- Edmunds

For more information from Hyundai, click here, http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicles/2011/equus/experience/

http://www.ochyundai.com

A firecracker blow out sale all month long on the 2010 Hyundai Accent and Elantra! You will not find lower prices anywhere!

Staring as low as $10,690! http://www.ochyundai.com/new-inventory/index.htm?start=35

The Ladies put us in the TOP 3!

We all have our ideas on “a woman’s car” — that is, vehicles more often than not bought and driven by women — but a new report backs up those purchase decisions with hard data, revealing which models and brands are preferred by females.

TrueCar, a Santa Monica firm that gathers vehicle buying and pricing data, said its study on gender differences is based on 13 million vehicle registrations from the past two years.

In addition to finding which car models are most often purchased by women, the study found some other interesting tidbits, including the fact that more men than women — a rate of 64% to 36% – register vehicles in the U.S., even though females make up 51% of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

When it comes to the car models themselves, here are the Top 9 purchased by women, followed by the percentage registered by women:

1.Volkswagen New Beetle, 56.1%
2.Nissan Rogue, 53.5%
3.Hyundai Tucson, 53.0%

To read the complete article, go here:
http://auto.ocregister.com/2010/06/16/survey-says-women-like-these-cars-the-most/36155/



http://www.ochyundai.com/

OC Hyundai celebrates Hope on Wheels

CHOC Children's patient Ariana Alonso (9), of Santa Ana, prepares to put her green hand print on a white Hyundai vehicle, which will represent her courageous battle with cancer. Alonso and six other CHOC kids put their prints on the car, which will be taken around the U.S. to share their hope with other children and families. It was one of the many activities at Sunday's American Cancer Society and CHOC Children's Cancer Institute "Courageous Kids Celebration" at Fairview Park, in Costa Mesa.

Seven children who are either battling or have survived cancer put their colorful hand prints on a white Hyundai vehicle during Sunday's American Cancer Society and CHOC Children's Cancer Institute "Courageous Kids Celebration" at Fairview Park, in Costa Mesa. The prints represent the courageous battle with cancer of the kids, and will serve to bring hope to other children and their families as it travels throughout the U.S.

Congratulations!

If you haven't yet heard about our monthly contest, perhaps hearing about this month's winners might give you all the information you need.

Our sincere congratulations go out to Mario and Connie Campanile of Mission Viejo!
The Campanile's recently purchased a Tucson from us, entered our Pay It Forward Contest, were randomly selected, and will be recieving a check from us for their next car payment. It's as easy as that!

Sometime ago, we wondered how best to say thank you to our customers. For the past 18 months, we've been saying thank you by making a car payment for them. By all accounts, it seems to be the best way we've found so far! Connie and Mario are the 37th winners of our monthly drawing and they agree!

Click on the link below to find out how the OC Auto Team pays it forward to their customers and how easy it is to enter.

http://www.ochyundai.com/pay-it-forward-contest.htm

The LA Times Latest Article on the best Selling Mid-Size Sedan in America

Click Here for the full Story

PRE-MEMORIAL WEEKEND SALE!!!

2010 Hyundai Accent Cheaper To Own Than A Smart ForTwo

When you think about something that is cheap, what comes to mind? Is it fast food where the portions are healthy and the food is filling, but no on the healthy side of the meter? Or do you think of Walmart and their “everyday low prices”? What about with cars, do you think of the small cars as the cheapest or is it a particular brand? This time we are confirming some stereotypes and denying the truth of others with the realization that a 2010 Hyundai Accent is cheaper to own than a 2010 Smart ForTwo.

According to a report by Car and Driver, the cost to own a 2010 Hyundai Accent over three years is cheaper than a new Smart ForTwo by $458. Surprised? I know I had to do a double take when I first read the figures. We all know that Hyundai isn’t the car company that it was back in the ‘80s and ‘90s and with the introduction of cars like the Genesis and Genesis Coupe, the company is on track to be the Lexus of this decade. That all aside, the company hasn’t lost site of it roots of providing good, cheap and reliable transportation as is the case with the 2010 Hyundai Accent.

The figures from C&D are figured using the base MSRP, EPA combined fuel mileage, three-year fuel cost and three-year insurance cost. For the 2010 Hyundai Accent the figures breakdown like this:

•Base MSRP: $10,690
•EPA Combined Mileage: 31 mpg
•Three-Year Fuel Cost: $2988
•Three-Year Insurance Cost: $4351
•Total Three-Year Cost: $18,029
The 2010 Smart ForTwo figures ring in a little more expensive and are broken out like this:

•Base MSRP: $12,635
•EPA Combined Mileage: 36 mpg
•Three-Year Fuel Cost: $2573
•Three-Year Insurance Cost: $3279
•Total Three-Year Cost: $18,487
So the difference isn’t HUGE, but when you consider what you are getting maybe the delta between the two cars gets larger. The Hyundai Accent is a larger car that can, in a pinch, seat four people (five if you are really adventurous). It also has more power and can cruise at highway speeds in more comfort. However, the Smart ForTwo does have the advantage in both the mpg column and the maneuverability column, especially in urban settings.

Bottom line—Small isn’t always cheaper, but it does seem that the Korean car companies will continue to be the most affordable solution on the market. That is unless you really want the cheapest car on the C&D list—the 2010 Nissan Versa 1.6 (more here). Of course, that would require you to BYOR—Bring Your Own Radio.

By Jonathan McGrew

Contributor

May 15th, 2010




http://www.allsmallcars.com/blog/1045116_2010-hyundai-accent-cheaper-to-own-than-a-smart-fortwo

http://www.ochyundai.com/

THE 2011 SONATA DOES IT AGAIN!!! #1 FOR UNDER $25K

View the most recent video report by USA Today!!!

Happy Hyundai owners at OC Hyundai!

From Curtis Kuboyama...

"Appreciate all your help getting my parents car delivered.

They just arrived home and are very happy.

Thanks for helping me convert a loyal Honda customer."


Curtis, it was truly our pleasure! From the OC Hyundai Team

It's OFFICAL! OC Hyundai rockets to the #1 spot in California as voted by customers on DealerRater.com

In the first month of opening, OC Hyundai has jetted to the top of the list at DealerRater.com, not just in Orange County, but in the entire state of California! DealerRater captures customer comments, reviews and ratings. We invite you to visit their site and read what the customers of OC Hyundai have to say about their buying experience...Click here for all reviews
http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/OC-Hyundai-review-30668/

My Review of OC Hyundai:
I go there every 3,000 miles or so for regular service but I recently required extensive service on my Hyundai and they had my automobile for almost a month. I was concerned that my car would be declared totaled or would never be the same again. Mark kept me apprised every step of the way whether it was about dealing with insurance company (State Farm-wonderful) or any other concern that came along while the dealership was on its way to giving me my car in better condition than prior to the incident. I have never received such wonderful service from any dealership over the years and Mark provides exemplary service and is a wonderful representative of the company. Another Hyundai dealership is closer to my home but I go the extra miles because of Mark and the wonderful service from OC Hyundai.
Today, I had to bring my new Genesis in for a follow up service and once gain, I was quite pleased with the quality and professional service that were demonstrated by the store manager, Troy, and the sales person, Jesus Flores. I was impresed with the consistency in their quality service and attention to the customer's satisfaction.

Thank you

I am giving the highest rating to this delearship for their exceptional service and ease of purchasing a car. The sales person, Jesus Flores, was amazaing from his professionalism to follow-ups to ensure that I was happy with the car. In fact, I have recommended this dealership and Jesus Flores to a few of my friends that are looking for a new car. They have met and exceeded my expectation on customer service from the beginning to the end.

We stopped at OC Hyundai after a day of test driving several other brand vehicles.
BMW 328i, Lexus ES350, Infinity G37, Cadillac CTS and SRX, Audi A4 Quattro. We decided to drive the Hyundai Genesis Sedan. We were blown away by the Car, but more importantly the friendliness of the Salesman and the GM Troy. They worked up a great lease price for us and made the decision very easy to choose the Genesis over all the other cars we had test driven earlier. Thanks for the great experience, we look forward to driving our new car for the next three years and will recommend your dealership to others.

They were very friendly from the beginning of my experience and they were more than reasonable in dealing with the MSRP price, APR rate, and Monthly payments. With all they can, they tried to meet my personal needs, such as putting specific cars on hold, taking a day to re-think, and continual assistance for meeting my price standards. If I have to recommend anyone, I would definitely recommend this dealership and its people that humbly work for the customer's needs. Evenmore, after I made the deal and signed all papers, they still came up to teach me some things about the car (Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T). They made my first-time car buying experience unforgettable and great.

Our OC Hyundai Service Team is rockin'!!!

Autotrader.com lastest report on the SONATA!!!

You have done it again Jesus Flores....Great Job!!! 5 out 5

My Review of OC Hyundai:

I brought my daughter and son-in-law to OC Hyundai to see if they could qualify for a used car, and we were met by Jesus Flores. He went out of his way to help us even when we had lost hope of a sale. Management team did their best to get approval for Michael and Kristina to purchase their first car. All the terms were fair and in their favor to purchase. Jesus was always accomodating to their needs and phone calls even on his OFF days! We really appreciate his great attitude and customer service. Now, my son and daughter are the proud owners of a 2009 Hyundai Sonata thanks to the efforts of this Team.

Sincerely,
A greatful Mom
Julie

No one will ever write erotic poetry about the Hyundai Sonata. No courting suitor ever promises a woman, "Darling, I'll give you the moon, the stars, a Sonata with cloth seats..." Snooki from "Jersey Shore" will be named secretary of agriculture before a Sonata crosses the field at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance classic-car show. These things are appliances, disposable widgets, destined to wind up as brightly colored cubes of crushed and fused metal, the unlamented scat of our mobility society.

But for now, be amazed. Be amazed that any company can put together a car with this much raw, unmitigated content—a 2.4-liter direct-injection four cylinder with variable valve timing on both cams; six-speed automatic with manual shift mode; iPod/USB/AUX jacks and Bluetooth; stability control and smart ABS; airbags and power amenities galore—wrap the whole thing in a 10-year powertrain warranty and push it out the door for $20,195. That's ridiculous, ridonkulous. This is the sort of scorched-earth pricing that makes other car makers consider a change in strategic direction. Perhaps there are some openings at Hardees?
Inside the Sonata


The 2011 Sonata—the sixth generation of the nameplate in the company's history—extends Hyundai's business plan in the U.S. market, which is summed up in the phrase "overwhelming numerical leverage," which I just made up. If you lay it out and compare the Sonata with its mass-market, suburbo-drone, I-wish-I'd-stayed-single competitors—Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu—the case for the Sonata is summary. On paper, at least, it's just more car for the money.

Consider the intersection of these monster numbers from Sonata's spec sheet: 198 hp (200 hp in the dual-exhaust SE model) and 35 mpg highway. The four-cylinder Honda Accord LX serves up 177 hp while delivering a highway mileage a full 4 mpg less than the Sonata. The Honda is also $1,660 more dear.

I'm not saying the Sonata is a better car. Ah, hell no. I'm saying that if you set aside intangibles—things like brand modulus, styling, materiality, and the ineffable sense of quality you get when you touch and use engineered things—the Sonata is too persuasive to ignore. In a way, Hyundai's strategy is a brilliant adaptation to a car-buying environment increasingly driven by online data comparison. If you're an overscheduled public-school teacher and you need a new car, what are you going to do? You're going to fire up the computer, go to Edmunds.com or cars.com, plow through the numbers and conclude—not unreasonably—that the Sonata is the best deal out there. Then you're going to go to one dealership, the Hyundai dealership, take the Sonata around the block and think, Yeah, OK, nice.

Let me just run this by my sales manager.

Of course, all cars are in some sense political, since country of origin and economic policy are inextricable. And here the story turns a bit melancholy. The Sonata's awesome pricing occurs at the whip end of a long chain of factors, including the fact that it's built in a place with low wages, a low standard of living and an indifferent attitude toward workers' rights. Someone really should take up a collection for Montgomery, Ala.

WSJ's Rumble Seat columnist Dan Neil takes a test-drive in Hyundai's latest Sonata, which he says feels like a luxury product at a reasonable price.

Hyundai, the world's fourth-largest car company by units sold, is hotter than the hinges of Hades right now. It posted a fivefold increase in profit in Q1 of 2010, to a tidy $1 billion, on the recovering world market and favorable currency-exchange rates. For obvious reasons, a stronger Japanese yen helps the Korean car maker enormously in the U.S.

Hyundai's ambitions for the Sonata transcend the value equation, however. Like the larger and equally overachieving Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe, the new Sonata is about elevating the image of the brand.

Enter styling.

This is a nice-looking car, and for all the blathering about remote keyless entry and the like, the styling—thoughtful, attractive, premium, by several degrees above the call of duty—is the feature that impresses me most. Wrought in what Hyundai calls "fluidic styling"—trademark alert!—the car does have a handsome, hydraulic wholeness to it, like water flowing over a river rock. The bold "light spear" along the side (the shallow draft under the accent line broadens as it goes back along the side of the car, creating a spear-like shadow) plays nicely against the back-drafting energy of the roof line. A little bit of Volkswagen CC in there, a little Mercedes-Benz CLS. The most sophisticated exterior touch is a thin chromic bow that runs from the headlamp to the C-pillar along the belt line, a brightwork meteor across the car's firmament. Lovely.
Rumblings
2011 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS

Base price: $20,195

Price as tested: $21,765

Powertrain: 2.4-liter, direct-injection inline four cylinder with variable valve timing; six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode; front-wheel drive

Horsepower/torque: 198 hp/187 pound-feet

Length/weight: 189.8 inches/3,250 pounds (est.)

Wheelbase: 110.0 inches

Cargo capacity: 16.4 cubic feet

EPA fuel economy: 22/35, city/highway
Business Is War

And Hyundai just nukes the competition with a svelte, sophisticated mid-size sedan featuring a high-tech engine, league-leading fuel economy and a crazy-low price. Hyundai's strategy: victory through superior (numerical) firepower.
Retaining Fluid

Hyundai's California design studio has penned an intriguing, even compelling body style, in an idiom it calls "fluidic styling." Note the chromic pinstripe arcing across the car, from headlamp to C-pillar. Not easy and not cheap. Other manufacturers would have left such a premium design flourish on the cutting-room floor.
Does Oz Have Something for the Tin Man?

The Sonata's features list is long and impressive, but the gestalt of the car remains a little hollow and in places the car feels too thinly spread. Yes, the Sonata is less expensive, but the Honda Accord feels more investment-grade.

Deconstructing the styling a bit: The Sonata strikes me as an aspirational placeholder kind of car, the sort of choice that will speak to people on their way up to benchmark luxury brands like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes. A luxury-car starter kit, if you will. Those sorts of buyers will equate style—the evident and obvious exertions of style rippling across the Sonata—with pride of ownership. It's worth noting that Hyundai will soon introduce the Lexus-like Equus sedan to the U.S. market—figure the early $60,000s to start—and, knowing that, I can't help seeing the Sonata as the bottom rung of a luxury ladder Hyundai is building, year by year.

Inside, the Sonata is roomy, comfortable and has some interesting choices of materials—the door panels are a kind of plasticized taffeta—but overall the car's interior is more conventional and less surprising than the exterior. The central console pours down from the upper dash between the front seats in a graceful cataract of switches and displays. However, the plastics are hard, the seats feel a little thin and door latches and switches feel and sound hollow. If I were the chief project engineer for the Sonata...well, first of all, I'd hire an engineer to replace me. But then I'd put more substance, more structure, behind these touch areas.

Nowhere does the program of radical economizing show more than in the engine sound. For all its high-tech direct-injection efficiency, this thing has a positively antique sound, with a valve click so pronounced it almost sounds like a diesel. I actually took a flashlight to my test car to see if perhaps the exhaust manifold gasket had sprung a pinhole leak, or else it had inadvertently sucked up a set of castanets. If this thing is in spec then, please, somebody send the company a box of hearing aids.

Two hundred horsepower absolves a lot, however, and the Sonata GLS gets down the road with dispatch, if not wild abandon. This is not a performance car by any means; still, the Sonata feels reasonably spry, with nicely controlled body roll, accurate steering with good feedback, and assured braking. The six-speed automatic, with the shifter in manual mode, helps the car shed its cast of servile domestication when the road opens up and the driving mood darkens.

The common midmarket midsize sedan executed uncommonly well, the Sonata is a one-car price war, a line in the sand, daring competitors to cross. Which they won't, will they? I am agog at its value. And if you have a four-letter yardstick with which you measure cars, C-A-S-H, you can stop your search here. Ditto if your yardstick says M-P-G. But I'm still not quite in love with Hyundai, still not inspired to write that love sonnet. I wait for the Equus, quill in hand.

Check out what we've going on this weekend!!

http://www.ochyundai.com

Customer responses...we welcome them all!

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful assistance in
processing the financial aspect of purchasing our new Tucson. You
actually made it a very pleasant experience and that is saying a lot when I'm parting with over $27,000.00.

Again, Thank you for your efficiency and your smiling personality - we didn't feel pressured into purchasing something outside our budget. In my experience that is a major plus. Everyone we dealt with was professional and personable.

Sincerely, Inez and Gene B.

News and reviews and it's all good!

From MotorTrend....Best In Class goes to the Hyundai Sonata
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_1002_2011_hyundai_sonata_se_test/index.html

"It racks up enough best-in-class points to whoop the competition without breaking a sweat. On the road, we found the Sonata to be a strong contender with its bold new styling and a new sporty demeanor".

From Edmunds... http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/tucson/review.html

"Based on our experience, it is clear that the Hyundai Tucson received ample attention in the area of build quality".

From Car and Driver... http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q2/2010_hyundai_genesis_coupe_3.8_v6-road_test

"On sale since March, the Genesis coupe is a revelation".

Biggest RED TAG EVENT SALE of the YEAR! YOU do not want to miss this! Everything RED TAGGED, hundreds of used cars from three lots!

Toyota Camry RED TAGGED at under $14,000!!

BUG! RED TAGGED at under $10,000!!!

http://www.ochyundai.com/

We're OPEN! Come on in and get to know us!

Troy Kerth, General Manager. Kind of a quiet, shy guy, not prone to showing excitement...!

Troy and all the opening crew are not only thrilled about representing the Hyundai product, they're anxious to get to know their customers and introduce them all to the John Patterson commitment of delivering exceptional service. All are welcome! Come visit soon, and often.

It's all about the opening crew! Farough Dabiri on the left, Troy Kerth, center and Luis Torres on the right.

Hyundai becomes No. 1 in brand loyalty

From Auto Motion, of The Orange County Register
March 16th, 2010, 6:09 am · posted by Matt Degen

Hyundai Motor America received another vote of confidence for its cars Monday when Kelley Blue Book announced that it is now tops in brand loyalty, toppling both Honda and Toyota.

The Fountain Valley-based automaker saw its sales surge last year amid one of the worst times in the industry to sell a car, and the automaker has made no secret about its focus on building quality vehicles while offering consumers good value, even going so far as launching its Assurance program last year for car buyers who suddenly found themselves without a job.

Kelley Blue Book, which itself is based in Irvine, said Hyundai rose from third place in the rankings in the third quarter of 2009, and a saw a big increase in loyalty this past February.

Hyundai owners looking at new models within the brand increased by 10.4 percentage points to 56.3 percent, the report said.



See the complete story here:
http://auto.freedomblogging.com/2010/03/16/hyundai-becomes-no-1-in-brand-loyalty/30159/

From John Patterson: "I'm very proud to introduce you to my General Manager, Troy Kerth. Troy is an experienced leader, as well as a trusted friend."

Good Day,

Welcome to OC Hyundai, the newest dealership in the John Patterson OC Auto Team family. My name is Troy Kerth and I am the General Manager for this, our latest addition to the family, and excited to introduce you to the extremely popular Hyundai line-up.

I have known John Patterson for over 15 years and we finally get to team up again! John and I worked together in the early 1990’s for another auto manufacturer. It is John’s motivating spirit that brings me home to Southern California to work within his outstanding culture.

I started my automotive career in 1989; over the years I have been fortunate to experience almost all positions within the dealership environment.

With that experience, I can assure you, we have assembled a great team at OC Hyundai. A team who will be committed to bringing you a wonderfully positive and respectful experience; whether it is in parts, service or with the purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle.

Please feel free to stop by or call if I can be of assistance. I look forward to speaking with you and to making your experience with us one that is, “Completely Satisfied”.


Troy Kerth, General Manager
OC Hyundai
714-647-2000
www.ochyundai.com
From Hyundai.... "Think about it" http://www.hyundaiusa.com/index.aspx

the Hyundai Elantra

http://www.ochyundai.com

th Hyundai Accent

http://www.ochyundai.com

the Hyundai Tucson

http://www.ochyundai.com

"Vintage" Hyundai....The intro of the Genesis, in 2008...enjoy!

Hyundai - Genesis Viral/Other SPIKE.com

http://www.ochyundai.com/