Pour one for the Sonata since it’s expected to join the great parking lot in the sky. Korean newspaper Chosun says the automaker is set to discontinue the nameplate as it focuses on fast-selling crossovers and electric vehicles.
First launched in 1985, the Sonata has become the longest continuous nameplate in Korea. Nine million units have been sold worldwide since, but that hasn’t stopped Hyundai from planning to axe it after this generation.
According to the report, it takes Hyundai between four to six years to come up with an all-new version (refreshes are done every two to three). However, a source at the automaker says development on the all-new model, due in 2025, has been suspended.
A refresh of the current Sonata, due out in 2023, will be its last.
The company insider continues that it’s an open secret at Hyundai that they will discontinue the Sonata, and use the assembly line in Asan, South Chuncheong Province to produce EVs. The lines will be converted to manufacture the Ioniq 6 EV—a mid-sized sedan built off the E-GMP platform shared with the award-winning Ioniq 5 EV.
This year alone, Hyundai stopped producing the Sonata and the Grandeur sedans for a month due to oversupply and slow sales.
Hyundai has sold 9.17 million Sonatas all in all, making it their third best-selling nameplate after the Elantra (14.4 million) and Accent (10.10 million). It also used to be the most exported car in Korea, but shipments have declined since 2019. Sales of the latest Sonata released in 2019 reached only 440,000 over the last three years compared to 1 million or more of previous models.
Consumers appear to favor SUVs now, with a whopping 47.3 percent of Hyundai's sales last year being SUVs.
If you search other news articles regarding the Sonata only the facelift has been discontinued but they are launching the 11th gen Sonata in 2023.
ReplyDeleteAnother Hyundai vehicle recall in the US: seatbelt pretensioners may explode.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.. stalling engine, engine w fire risk, windshields may break.
And Hyundai Ph is still quiet about this.
What other problems Hyundai? And sister company Kia?
RIP Hyundai Sonata. Maybe the name will make a comeback as a crossover in the future.
ReplyDeleteDear GOD/GODS and/or anyone else who can HELP ME (e.g. TIME TRAVELERS or MEMBERS OF SUPER-INTELLIGENT ALIEN CIVILIZATIONS): The next time I wake up, please change my physical form to that of FINN MCMILLAN formerly of SOUTH NEW BRIGHTON at 8 YEARS OLD and keep it that way FOREVER. I am so sick of this chubby Asian man body! Thank you! - CHAUL JHIN KIM (a.k.a. A DESPERATE SOUL)