Hello all, my name's Frank Giovinazzi, editor of Car Buyer's Notebook. I was fortunate enough to be in NY for the Azera unveil, and here are some stories:

http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/archives/...ndai_debuts.htm

http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/archives/...the_automob.htm

http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/archives/...dai_threw_t.htm

Questions, comments, suggestions welcome. Factual corrections always welcome, FG

thanks for all the links frank, very interesting. your lucky over there in the states,at least you know you will be able to buy the vehicle soon, when l contacted hyindai in the uk two weeks ago and asked about the probability of the azera going on sale they told me that they have never even heard of it!

we are not lucky in th states we all ways get the milked out versions of every thing.

the AZERA might be called something else in europe.

Frank,

That was a lot of fun to read, nice job with the articles. I'm anxious to see the Azera in person now and as a Hyundai fan am similarly anxious to see how well the new Sonata NF and this model fare in the U.S.

I do have issue with the fact that Hyundai is still dragging their feet on this flagship model with some features already common on their KDM model XG, like HID headlamps and navigation. I assume these options will be available in the future, but why not now if they've already got it?

Regardless, the new models are a great step in the right direction. I also had to chuckle when reading about the "Hyundai Way"...I work for LG Electronics here in San Diego and they too have the "LGE Way." Is this common everywhere or just a Korean thing?

It is not that Hyundai is dragging their feet, but rather how is the car ordered by HMA or HAC. Also, keep in mind that all the extras will increase the price of the car. I have seen the ECUS at HAC’s head office, and the way this car is equipped would bring the price tag up to $125000.00 easily. Question is, is north America ready for a $100K + HYUNDAI ?????????????????????

So some Hyundai exec is driving an Equus around Ontario? Maybe there's a few in Orange County as well at HMA's offices. I'll have to keep my eyes open for that one. Personally, I don't like the Equus very much with respect to its looks...reminds me of a Soviet-era Politburo member's limo. It has some sweet features though and a V8 is always cool.

Your comment regarding the NA markets only getting what HAC or HMA orders makes sense...I understand their trepidation to push the price envelope. Maybe the new models will finally give them the confidence to add what's already available.

A Korean friend today told me a recent Korean-language site was reviewing the Azera and compared it to the Lexus ES300 as a benchmark. Not bad company to be in IMO. Not sure it will happen, but it'd be sweet to see the Azera stacked against similar cars in the general English language NA market reviews as well like Edmunds and MotorTrend, etc.