Hyundai Motor targets Russia's middle class

Summary>
Hyundai Motor Co. is looking to tap the growing middle class to consolidate its position in the Russian car market. Since first exporting to Russia in 1990, the company currently has the second largest market share among foreign carmakers in Russia after General Motors Corp.'s Chevrolet. Among all carmakers, Hyundai Motor holds the third largest market share and with more people joining the middle class, Hyundai cars are gaining more and more attention
Hyundai is still considered the cheaper brand but with the launch of vehicles like the Tucson in recent years, its brand image has been improving. Also, Genesis which is likely to go on sale here at the end of the year will be beneficial for the company's brand image in Russia. The company expects that it could use the car to build a luxury brand like Toyota's Lexus."
The planned plant in St. Petersburg will provide valuable benefits to the company. The plant will help raise sales by removing the 25 percent tariff placed on imported cars and providing a cheaper labor force for Hyundai. Once the plant is completed and production in Russia begins, the supply problem could be solved. Other foreign brands such as Ford and Toyota saw large increases in sales after the companies built plants in St. Petersburg.

Opinion> Russia’s rapid economic development has left the growth of middle class. To earn higher profits, Hyndai Motor Co. has to target the new class and change its cheap brand image. Star marketing will change the cheap image and imprint luxury car image in Russians’ mind. The company can be well-known through advertisement appearing a movie star or a singer or a famous people who have luxury image. Also, the company has to sponsor its cars to movie or drama for not-so-subliminal kind of advertising, product placement.
It is important to raise name recognition, but the most important thing is quality and services. Because it takes long time to improve quality, the company has to strive to provide customer the best service. Hyndai Motor Co. has to make competitive advantage to compete other car makers through the best service - fast delivery system, low repairing expenses, etc,

References;Author: Choi He-suk
Title: Hyundai Motor targets Russia's middle class June 7, 2008
http://mail2.daum.net/hanmail/mail/ViewMail.daum?MSGID=0000000000005YX&FOLDER=%ED%9C%B4%EC%A7%80%ED%86%B5&mpage=1&KEYTYPE=&KEYWORD=&_top_hm=w_read


20600613 12th entry