Kona of Silence
August 28, 2019 7:43 PM Subscribe
So I think I want to get a new car, a Hyundai Kona Ultimate, black, loaded. When I go to the Hyundai website and build this car, I find that there are 0 (ZERO) in the U.S.
What gives?
Do they not want to sell cars?
Are they actually making any?
Is this like a Sims thing?
I don't want to have to order one.
Do they not want to sell cars?
Are they actually making any?
Is this like a Sims thing?
I don't want to have to order one.
My understanding is that no cars are sitting on a lot "fully loaded". If that's what you want, you have to order one. I've always assumed it's because it's easier to add features/parts to a car on request but you cannot remove them if someone doesn't want something (because then, technically, it's used).
posted by dobbs at 5:50 AM on August 29, 2019
posted by dobbs at 5:50 AM on August 29, 2019
My understanding is that no cars are sitting on a lot "fully loaded"
Sometimes there are, but it just won't be very many of the inventory. Car dealers tend to stock the most commonly bought models and trims, so they might have one or two "stripped" base models, 20-30 of the "medium" range model with commonly selected options and only one or two fully loaded models.
Many times, buyers will elect to buy a larger or more expensive brand of car instead of buying the one that is loaded. For exampled, a loaded Honda Accord might cost the same as a low-end BMW 3 series. Even though the 3 series is a smaller car, sometimes people want to buy the "prestige" of a luxury brand.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:40 AM on August 29, 2019
Sometimes there are, but it just won't be very many of the inventory. Car dealers tend to stock the most commonly bought models and trims, so they might have one or two "stripped" base models, 20-30 of the "medium" range model with commonly selected options and only one or two fully loaded models.
Many times, buyers will elect to buy a larger or more expensive brand of car instead of buying the one that is loaded. For exampled, a loaded Honda Accord might cost the same as a low-end BMW 3 series. Even though the 3 series is a smaller car, sometimes people want to buy the "prestige" of a luxury brand.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:40 AM on August 29, 2019
Yes, cars are set up to be ordered to your specification. The options are where the main profit centre is for the manufacturer, but also there are a TON for options so 'fully loaded' means different things for different people and there may be one thing you are choosing that is not on an existing car.
So yes, there are examples of these cars around, but they are 'safe bet' orders by the dealer network - based on their experience this colour/trim/option level is most likely to sell. They don't build a number of each option combination and wait for people to turn up who want them. They hedge their bets, so anything not VERY mainstream (or persuadable for a buyer who is close in needs) don't get built in advance.
Either buy what there is or order what you want.
posted by Brockles at 7:42 AM on August 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
So yes, there are examples of these cars around, but they are 'safe bet' orders by the dealer network - based on their experience this colour/trim/option level is most likely to sell. They don't build a number of each option combination and wait for people to turn up who want them. They hedge their bets, so anything not VERY mainstream (or persuadable for a buyer who is close in needs) don't get built in advance.
Either buy what there is or order what you want.
posted by Brockles at 7:42 AM on August 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by saeculorum at 7:52 PM on August 28, 2019 [2 favorites]