Hyundai
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Hyundai stockpiled chips before the shortage and is now concentrating on making their own. About a month ago, they thought they would have a strong 4th quarter.
Is Hyundai becoming Toyota's world-wide competition?
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No, in worldwide sales Toyota and Volkswagen are playing in a different league than anybody else. Hyundai is definitely at the top of the next tier, but still a big jump away.
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Toyota I can understand. VW? VW's reliability sucks.
I forget where I heard this explanation - but that's because we're taking an American POV on the topic.
Think about all German brands (incl. luxury), they tend to be thought of as good performing but high maintenance.
The reason is because most of their sales come from overseas. In the EU VW's are seen has high quality and reliable.
Their highest production volume models are sold there - they test those most thoroughly. The cars are specced for the conditions in those markets.
They then modify those models for American SKUs (different engines, etc.)
Those SKUs are less tested, and built on platforms original specced for the EU.
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I believe VW is the world's number one auto maker.
They were in 2019, by about 200K vehicles.
In 2020 Toyota won by about 250K.
https://www.factorywarrantylist.com/car-sales-by-manufacturer.html
Interesting that Hyundai/Kia is #4 behind GM.
