The information age is a blessing, and curse. Through iPads, iPhones, Blackberrys, laptops and good ol’ desktop computers, we are inundated with more news, tidbits, tweets and Facebook posts than we know what to do with. On the other hand, the competition to create “news” that stands out, and constantly feed the Twitter machine, blog, or Facebook page, certain things get blown a bit out of proportion.
Case in point: The “breaking” story that Hyundai’s chief executive Kim Choong-ho announced that an all-new version of the popular Hyundai Sonata will debut in 2014, and that we’ll see an all-new Hyundai Genesis in late 2013.
But this isn’t quite the juicy news story it sounds like at first. The current Hyundai Sonata went on sale in Korea in September, 2009. By 2014, it will have been on sale there for a solid five years, and there is nothing unusual about a car company refreshing or redesigning its vehicles every five years or so. Similarly, the Hyundai Genesis sedan concept was first seen at the 2007 New York Auto Show, and production versions went on sale in 2008. By next year, the Genesis will be into its fifth model year and, surprise, ready for a refresh.
Even the Korean manufacturer isn’t too concerned with “damage control” over its CEO blabbing about the upcoming Hyundai Sonata and Genesis. Hyundai Motor Company said in a statement that, “Like most automakers, Hyundai Motor upgrades its models about every four to five years. In this regard, all models are considered for upgrades. We do not have any immediate details to share on product plans for the Sonata or Genesis.”
The takeaway: If you’re considering a Hyundai Sonata or Hyundai Genesis, but are worried it’ll be “old” right after you buy it, you can stop worrying. If being the first on your block with an all-new model is a big a deal to you, a two- or three-year lease will put you right in the sweet spot to generate a little neighbor-envy in a couple years.
Source: Reuters
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