The introduction of the U.S.-spec 2011 Hyundai Equus was no surprise. We rode in one not too long ago and CEO John Krafcik told us in not so many words that it was headed our way soon enough.
The Hyundai CEO did have a couple surprises left in his pocket when it came time for the official introduction at the New York Auto Show. The most intriguing announcement was the idea of replacing the traditional owner's manual with an iPad. Krafcik actually used the term "wireless multimedia tablet," but trademarks aside, it was pretty obvious what he was referring to.
And not only would the Equus iPad have the entire owner's manual loaded up, it would also include an application that would allow owners to set up service appointments and get updated information on the car.
Using this type of technology is just one aspect of the Equus owner experience that Krafcik spoke about in New York. He also talked briefly about a sales process that would include visiting a customer's home or office to give prospective buyers a test drive along with additional information. Owners would also get pick up and delivery service of their cars when it came time for service, and the loaner car would be either another Equus or a Genesis sedan.
2010 New York Auto Show: 2011 Hyundai Equus
felonious says:
10:41 AM, 04/ 2/10
That's real?!?!? I thought it was a brilliant april fool's joke by this other site I read. Wow.
Besides the iPad, those other perks are pretty awesome. Way to go, Hyundai!
93aero says:
10:45 AM, 04/ 2/10
Yea, the iPad itself is a BUST, but its nice to see some innovation.
roadburner says:
11:40 AM, 04/ 2/10
Buick and Lincoln were going to do the same thing, but market research revealed that most of their customers think that an iPad is a feminine hygiene product.
mrryte says:
11:48 AM, 04/ 2/10
All the better; most owners seldom RTFM anyway so why waste resources printing them?
relyt says:
12:00 PM, 04/ 2/10
As a current Hyundai owner, I can tell you that as satisfied as I am with my car, their dealer experience is not up to par, and not at all what someone spending 50k+ on a car is going to expect.
That probably explains why they are so willing to come to you and sell you a car at home or at work, as well as why they will come and pick up the car whenever it needs service. They don't want Equus owners to step foot in one of their dealers' doors.
roadburner says:
12:15 PM, 04/ 2/10
"They don't want Equus owners to step foot in one of their dealers' doors."
You are dead on; I dropped by Hyundai of Louisville to check out the Genesis Coupe and the salesmen were pushy and dishonest. I was looking at a V6 Track model(which some moron had ordered with a slushbox) and the salesman asked me how I liked it. I told him that I hated the aftermarket tint that had been installed. "Oh no sir, that's the factory tint." replied the nitwit. I then asked him why there was a $500 charge for window tint on the ADM sticker. That REALLY confused him. Of course I also received an earful of the "What can I do to put you in this car today?" come-ons as well.
Actually, based on all that, I'm not at all sure I'd want the dealer to know where I lived. Maybe you could arrange an exchange at a neutral site.
brn says:
01:09 PM, 04/ 2/10
I still think it's an April Fools joke.
Ipad is cool and all, but a bad idea. Are you going to keep it in your glove compartment? How are the batteries going to stay charged? Are thieves going to target the Equus because they know there's an ipad inside?
I guess I could see it if they're also giving you a printed manual. Keep the printed manual in teh car and watch Netflix on your ipad.
ed124c says:
01:54 PM, 04/ 2/10
Hyundai cars are about to start selling themselves without arm twisting by the sales people, and Hyundai (Kia also) has got to start training them appropriately. I have had similar experiences in the showroom, which has given me pause as to whether I really want one.
cheslin says:
01:55 PM, 04/ 2/10
Too bad the car is so homely. Sounds like a good value.
throwback says:
04:25 PM, 04/ 2/10
Is the target market for this car the same folks who will want to use a ipad? I can see my 75 year old mother driving this but she definitely wont be using an ipad.
firstwagon says:
04:58 PM, 04/ 2/10
throwback
You might be surprised. I bought my wife an iPhone for christmas. We let my 74 year mom try and she loved it. She wants one now.
My only concern re: the owners manual is when the ipad stops working in a couple years you don't have an owners manual anymore.
As for people not reading owners manuals, well a lot of people are stupid. No reason the rest of us should be short changed because of it.
tucson07 says:
09:33 AM, 04/ 5/10
I absolutely agree that Hyundai may fail if they don't start upgrading the "Dealer Experience". The folks who show up to look at the new Sonata, Veracruz and Genesis aren't the same types who showed up in 1987 to buy Excels. Likewise the Dealers need to rid themselves of SalesReps and Service Dept. rejects from Honest Louie's Used Car Emporium. I've found their SalesReps to be wholly uneducated on their line, but rather slick-talking tools to move you quickly to the Finance Desk. -and Service Writers need to actually listen and provide to the Customer what is requested rather than constantly try to upsell them to products and services not requested or needed. Frankly Hyundai should take the opportunity now to revamp their dealers or face the consequences of losing rather than gaining market share.