Hyundai - Give Them a Round of Applause!

Have you noticed how many smart things Hyundai has been doing over the past year or so? They are on fire!

First, their product line-up (job #1 for any automobile company) is outstanding. Every vehicle they offer is a high quality option in the segment in which it competes. And they are all priced intelligently. Each model is selling at a great "value" price versus its more entrenched competition. Hyundai's market share has got to be skyrocketing.

Second, a few months ago, Hyundai breaks new ground with a promise to "forgive" missed payments from newly unemployed Hyundai owners. Instead of being the bad guy creditor breathing down a distressed unemployed person's neck, Hyundai positions themselves as an understanding and sympathetic friend. What a brilliant way to earn customers for life. This was an incredibly innovative offer that was timed to perfection.

Lately, Hyundai's new promotion is to guarantee a low gas price of $1.49/gallon for a year to new Hyundai buyers. I don't know exactly how they are fulfilling this offer or making it work, but it is another smartly innovative and distinctive promotion that is punching through the clutter of other automotive marketing.

In a few short years, Hyundai has grown from a fringe brand without much perceived quality to a major competitor in the US market. Great products. Value priced. Backed by savvy, distinctive, gutsy marketing.

Hyundai is a textbook example of how to market smartly. I'm looking forward to see what they do next because they are on a roll.