As far as marketing strategies go, the Equus and the iPad, Hyundai and Apple, would seem like a natural. Apple is a trendsetter and leader within the digital industry, and Hyundai, especially with its Equus in the full-size luxury sedan market, is trying to one day become those things to the auto industry. This pairing is a move that adds to the momentum Hyundai has been building recently, as evidenced by their Sonata earning an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick, and by the Kelley Blue Book Marketing intelligence data that showed Hyundai surpassed both Honda and Toyota to claim the #1 spot in a brand loyalty survey. Delray Beach Hyundai dealerships are beginning to seem a little like Cheers these days, what with all of the same faces passing through the doors.

And so to keep things moving forward, with the purchase of a 2011 Hyundai Equus, which goes on sale this fall, buyers will receive a free Apple iPad. The thematic relevance of this pairing is that the owner’s manual will be found on the iPad, and owners will be able to use the portable device to schedule free service pickup. But—aside from being a fully functioning iPad that will read books and do all the fun stuff people have come to expect from these devices—there are also the secondary advantages for car buyers that are not “lost” on Hyundai or consumers: lost somewhere in Delray Beach, Hyundai Equus owners will be able to consult their iPad for quick, easy, convenient directions to their destination. In that same scenario in a different car, minus an iPad, Delray Beach used Hyundai Genesis owners better have purchased their own device, or else they will need to find the nearest gas station.

The pairing of a car and a device like the iPad satisfies not only the tech-loving consumer, but also the needs of the typical driver who could benefit from the multitude of conveniences the iPad offers. There are enough opportunities for stress in the modern world. Hyundai and Apple are working to reduce that. And this incentive, however small, as it is paired with a car that will sell for over $50,000, a ways off from that Delray Beach used Hyundai Genesis model—some have speculated that those who are in the market for a full-size luxury sedan will already have their own iPad—is a nice perk and one that bespeaks of the strong ideas coming out of Hyundai these days.

Labels: delray beach hyundai, delray beach used hyundai genesis

One of my guilty pleasure shows is “How Stuff Works,” a documentary-style program that delves into America’s factories to show us how a number of different products are made. The narrator’s voice is far from energetic, and the movements of the machines assembling the products are undeniably hypnotic, but it’s truly educational stuff. I often find myself saying, out loud, things like, “So that’s how tape measures are made!” or “So that’s how they get the cream inside the Twinkies!”

It’s a great show, but one thing it never has been able to show me is exactly how hybrid cars work. The average American has a general sense that hybrid cars have an electric battery inside them that allows the car to occasionally run on electricity instead of fuel. The end result, naturally, is that less gasoline is consumed. But how exactly does it all work?

There are a lot of ways, actually, but when it comes to the Hyundai Sonata, 2011 models are going to be integrating start-stop technology, which is a genius little bit of human invention. What happens is that when a car comes to a stoplight or a traffic jam, or any instance in which the automobile would be idling, the start-stop system will turn off the combustion engine. When you get moving again, the engine kicks back up. Through this simple and convenient gas-saving measure, automobiles can improve their mileage by an average of 5-10%.

In Delray Beach, used Hyundai Sonatas haven’t been able to do such a thing in the past because no previous hybrid version of the car exists. However, over the course of the next two years we’ll start seeing this enhanced model hit dealerships across the world. While they’ve included other gas-saving measures such as improved aerodynamics, it’s this start-stop innovation that’s really creating a buzz around this new hybrid offering from Hyundai. The expectation is that this be actually more fuel efficient than the 35mpg Elantra Blue that has been so successful. The hybrid Sonata could get somewhere in the range of 38-40mpg, clearly an improvement and something that Hyundai drivers are going to want to get their paws all over.

It may even be so popular that it gets a cameo on “How Stuff Works.” One can only hope.

Labels: Delray Beach used Hyundai, Sonata 2011

Forrest Gump, in all of his wisdom, once told us that life was like a box chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get. And he’s right about that, especially when it comes to a literal box of chocolates. The problem, of course, is that not knowing can be pretty anxiety-producing sometimes. Will you get the delicious raspberry-filled chocolate, or the one filled with toothpaste? They all look the same from the outside.

And that’s the problem with Gump’s analogy—you might not know what you’re going to get, but in most cases we can see what life is throwing at us. A car crash looks like a car crash. A winning lottery ticket looks like a winning lottery ticket. Those two things don’t look anything like each other, and that’s a good thing. But on the outside, those stupid chocolates are identical. Things aren’t always quite so mysterious.

So why, then, should both the hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the Hyundai Sonata 2011 look exactly the same? If you went to a Delray Beach Hyundai dealership in the coming months and tried to decide between the two, you might have issues because literally the only difference between them is what’s under the hood.

Or is it?

For most makes and models that would be the case, but not for the new Sonata. Unlike the others, this hybrid has been given special design elements to distinguish it from its gas-guzzling brother. For one, the front end is almost entirely different. It’s more aerodynamic (better for gas mileage, too), but also has unique headlights and taillights. Also, there are a number of paint options you can only get with the hybrid Sonata, no matter how much the drivers of all-gas Sonatas may whine and beg. It’s even got a different grille and wheel spokes.

What makes this particular hybrid even more interesting is the fact that it’s designed to optimize energy efficiency on the highway instead of in town, ulike all the other hybrids. This car can go up to 62mph on battery power alone. Others recharge batteries during starts and stops, but this car can go for long stretches and high speeds and still get the most money for drivers’ gas dollars.

So was Gump full of baloney, or was there a nugget of truth in his “chocolate” remarks? I think it’s probably a little of both.

Labels: Delray Beach Hyundai dealership, Hyundai Sonata 2011

North Palm Hyundai, your neighborhood Hyundai Dealer in Lake Park, Florida for new Hyundai vehicles and used cars, is excited to tell you about the New Hyundai EQUUS. Hyundai is breaking down the barriers of owning a luxury car with its all-new 2011 Hyundai Equus and competing with the best luxury sedans in the world on design, performance, advanced technologies, and ownership experience, AND breaking the barrier on VALUE! The 2011 Hyundai Equus broadens Hyundai's lineup of premium vehicles and takes intelligent luxury to a whole new level. Come discover luxury. Discover EQUUS with North Palm Hyundai!

Abundant luxury touches and comfort features that include leather upholstery, Alcantara headliner, natural wood trim and leather-wrapped French-stitched instrument panel showcase the richness of the EQUUS interior. The EQUUS Driver Information System (DIS) places everything you need to know right at your fingertips, for a pleasurable driving experience. The EQUUS is smartly equipped and comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), nine airbags, electronic active head restraints, lane departure warning system and smart cruise control. Combined with American’s Best Warranty and Hyundai Assurance, the all-new 2011 Hyundai EQUUS delivers peace of mind. Contact North Palm Hyundai to learn more about the EQUUS and other Hyundai Vehicles and schedule a test drive today!