May 09, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Motor has decided to cease sales of its signature luxury Azera sedan in the US after the car’s dwindling popularity and the automaker’s emphasis on the new high-end marque Genesis.

Hyundai Motor America has officially announced its 2018 model lineup on July 5 (local time), with confirmation to discontinue Azera, sold as Grandeur in Korea, in the US market.

Hyundai said Azera was “on the periphery of purchase consideration” for many consumers as the full-sized car is positioned in-between the popular mid-sized Sonata and the luxury Genesis models, which include G80 mid-sized and G90 full-sized sedans. 

Hyundai Azera

“As a result, for the 2018 model year, Hyundai Motor America will no longer offer the Azera for the US market, simplifying its model line-up and broadening the appeals of its core models,” the US unit said in a statement.
Azera first entered the US in Sept. 2000. Following its debut, the carmaker sold 17,884 units in 2001 and sales peaked in 2006 with an annual 27,000 units sold. But the figure has sharply declined in recent years. Last year, the car sold 5,500 units.

Hyundai expects the redesigned Sonata car and the Genesis cars will fill the gap once Azera exits the market.

The carmaker will continue to sell Azera on its home turf, as well as other countries, including in the Middle East.

New US lineup includes the debut of Kona subcompact, as well as a revamped Accent and Elantra GT. Hyundai, however, will discontinue sales of Accent’s hatchback version.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)