Post by davidleeis14 on Dec 8, 2004 10:06:33 GMT -5
Could this be the unvieling of the 2006 XG(TG).
See report from Korea Herald below:
Despite criticism over its cramped interior, Renault Samsung Motor Co.'s new SM7 sedan received more than 7,500 orders in the first five days after its introduction on Dec. 1., the company said yesterday.
According to the automaker, 7,550 orders for the SM7 sedan were placed as of Tuesday, the fifth day of the model's sales. The average wait for delivery is about two months, company officials said.
The news came after heated debate over the car's small interior compared with offerings from rivals such as Hyundai Motor Co.'s Grandeur. The SM7 is only 1.79 meters wide while the Grandeur is 1.87 meters.
"To customers here, the car can look too narrow for a luxury sedan," said a Seoul-based industry watcher.
But many auto analysts say the popularity of the model suggests a large number of buyers are unconcerned about the car's width.
"The sedan features an excellent engine and a sophisticated design. These merits indeed appeal to many consumers here," said Park Sung-jin of Woori Securities Co.
Other experts are taking a more careful approach to the success of the SM7.
Pointing to Hyundai's plan to unveil a new luxury car in March, they say the SM7 will soon face stiffer competition. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will also introduce a large sedan in the spring.
"Moreover, the SM7 is not attracting many traditional luxury car buyers such as corporate executives. It looks sporty and young but does not appeal to conservative tastes," said Sohn Jong-won of Goodmorning Shinhan Securities.
"I think the SM7 will compete more with foreign marques such as Honda and Lexus to lure young but high-income professionals," he said.
The sedan shares a platform with Nissan Motor Co.'s Teana. Nissan and Renault Samsung are 44 percent and 70 percent owned by France's Renault SA, respectively.
Before the SM7, Renault Samsung made only small and midsize sedans mainly for the domestic market.
Due to the nation's weak economy, its total production slid 36.4 percent year-on-year to 71,527 units from January to November. It was the largest decline among Korea's five carmakers.
(ktg1217@heraldm.com)
See report from Korea Herald below:
Despite criticism over its cramped interior, Renault Samsung Motor Co.'s new SM7 sedan received more than 7,500 orders in the first five days after its introduction on Dec. 1., the company said yesterday.
According to the automaker, 7,550 orders for the SM7 sedan were placed as of Tuesday, the fifth day of the model's sales. The average wait for delivery is about two months, company officials said.
The news came after heated debate over the car's small interior compared with offerings from rivals such as Hyundai Motor Co.'s Grandeur. The SM7 is only 1.79 meters wide while the Grandeur is 1.87 meters.
"To customers here, the car can look too narrow for a luxury sedan," said a Seoul-based industry watcher.
But many auto analysts say the popularity of the model suggests a large number of buyers are unconcerned about the car's width.
"The sedan features an excellent engine and a sophisticated design. These merits indeed appeal to many consumers here," said Park Sung-jin of Woori Securities Co.
Other experts are taking a more careful approach to the success of the SM7.
Pointing to Hyundai's plan to unveil a new luxury car in March, they say the SM7 will soon face stiffer competition. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will also introduce a large sedan in the spring.
"Moreover, the SM7 is not attracting many traditional luxury car buyers such as corporate executives. It looks sporty and young but does not appeal to conservative tastes," said Sohn Jong-won of Goodmorning Shinhan Securities.
"I think the SM7 will compete more with foreign marques such as Honda and Lexus to lure young but high-income professionals," he said.
The sedan shares a platform with Nissan Motor Co.'s Teana. Nissan and Renault Samsung are 44 percent and 70 percent owned by France's Renault SA, respectively.
Before the SM7, Renault Samsung made only small and midsize sedans mainly for the domestic market.
Due to the nation's weak economy, its total production slid 36.4 percent year-on-year to 71,527 units from January to November. It was the largest decline among Korea's five carmakers.
(ktg1217@heraldm.com)