Look what happened to the Kia Forte. It had more publicity than the Sonata and it was more competitively priced with great specs. But yet after more than a year since its launch it still only sells about 500+ units per month. For the whole of 2010 only 2241 units were sold in comparison with 13,285 units of the Vios for the same period. Even the Camry sold 5277 units for that period.

Sonata vs H.Acc vs Toyota Camry (Basic)
135k vs 142 k vs 144k

the difference is too small no big hua

Thou Sonata is on the same segment the price positioning doesn't give a big HuHa.

Can't deny the Sonata is nice in design, but SD always didn't place it at a nice position just like Avante; only have beige color quite apek - in my opinion, while world wide is selling like hot cakes ; eg Singapore 2nd best seller after FORTE.

FORTE gave an impact impression cause a different segment and a cheaper price.

I believe korean car have to position them self lower due to their previous after sales reputation , For Sonata I am expecting about 5-10k cheaper from the existing price then we see a waiting list of 1-2 months queuing

A few existing Sonata owner (friends & relative) hinted will go for this Sonata when is time to change theirs, thou the mouth still complaining about SC but after warranty go outside to service no issue

maybe backup plan price remain, free maintenance for 2/3 years or/and 5 years solid warranty without mileage consideration would this be great ?!

from the stock market kaki's view Sime Darby is only good in plantation - haha, they are venturing in so many segment not sure can they handle it ( water treatment, power generation , properties, Health Care .. ) hrmm which division made a lost ? motoring ? utilities ? property ?

PM FROM THE CLOWNMASTER IN RESPONSE TO MY POST :
"""""""""""""" I have a firm belief that PROPERTY & GOLD hold a much better investment return compared to buying expensive cars (which is always a loss). Just because you do not share the same sentiment due to your weaker financial capability doesnt give u the right to accuse me of lying.

As i said before to many others, do take up the dare with me and i will gladly silence you. Maybe u would like to come over to Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL and view my property? We could then go for a drink in my beloved Vios.

If not, do shut up. Cheers! """"""""""""
My reply : Y-A-W-N !!!!!
   

thats because if they wanna buy a car this range, they dont care about our petty opinions here,
This are for young people. groups of civic and city, vios and altis. naza forte and so on...
Uncle where got time to browse and read about camry and accord. They just go buy the car they like and want
and drive it and dont care about people talking about their cars.
So thats why no camry and accord here. same goes with peugeot 407 and 3008.
but sonata is different. it is a new beginning of an era of a great car maker, making its way into the world.
That is why there is so much fuss about it. The world is witnessing a once used to be P1 standard, slowly taking over the world
first with sexy cars, then great service, and abundance spare parts..... that was how T and H and N did first in the entire world.

No offense,but this is just my opinion on the new Sonata.
Went to glenmarie showroom last week and sat and test drove the new sonata.
IMHO,the interior quality is way way way below that of the Japs.Somehow,it just felt not solidly put together especially the center dash.
The leather seats were of very low quality.Just by looking at it,I could feel that the leather was those cheapo type.
The seat was those cheap soft sponge type.So basically not much support .Once you sit on it,the seat kinda goes down way too much.
Then we go to the exterior of the car.THe car looks great in pictures and in brochures,but when you see it in real life,can really see the reallife quality.The chrome section on the front looks good in pictures but in real life,its just a cheap looking chrome piece .Compare that side by side with a chrome from a Jap make and you can see the big difference.
Then i test drove the 2.4.Honestly speaking,the power was ok but somehow dint have the surge or the exhilliration of driving a Mazda 6 or a Camry 2.4.In short, it was just a boring 2.4 short of character compared to Jap rivals.
Steering felt ok,but overall experience I just felt that I was sitting in another cheap Korean car.The interior design just dint cut it for me.It felt old and does not feel like a RM 160k++ car.
Korean cars are becoming better and better ,thats a fact,but still no where near the Jap rivals IMHO in terms of quality,interior design & engine technology.
If the whole world has only the Hyundai Sonata and I had spare cash lying around,would I buy the Sonata? Its a definate NO .

Top 10 non-national vehicles in Malaysia for June 2010
(Overall sales for 2010 in brackets)