MATTESON, IL – Just announced – World Hyundai Matteson will be your Equus dealer! Hyundai will use it’s new $50,000-plus Equus sedan to help persuade dealers to upgrade their stores and to encourage more of them to become exclusive to the brand.
Only exclusive dealerships will be eligible to sell the rear-wheel-drive luxury car, says Dave Zuchowski, sales chief at Hyundai Motor America. And dealers must sell the Equus in a separate, upgraded portion of the showroom.
“We didn’t think a luxury channel was the way to go,” Zuchowski says. “From an investment standpoint, we like the concept of a showroom within a showroom.”
The Equus will go on sale in the fall as Hyundai’s new top-of-the-line model. The brand’s most expensive vehicle now is the Genesis sedan, with a price ranging from $33,800 to $40,300, including shipping.
Zuchowski says the Equus will help Hyundai on several fronts. It will add another halo vehicle to the lineup and will lead dealers who want to sell the Equus to upgrade their showrooms. And, he says, the car may prompt some of the 40 percent of Hyundai’s 780 dealerships that are not stand-alones to become exclusives. Dealers will get additional sales and service training.
“So it’s broader than a premium-car strategy,” Zuchowski says. “We think it’s time to upgrade without a large financial burden.”
World Hyundai Matteson has been notified that they will be receiving information regarding the facility requirements in February.
Store Upgrades
The extent and cost of the improvements will depend on the showroom. The upgrades will vary in cost and must be done at the dealer’s expense. Only store interiors will be affected. The special sales and service training starts in the second quarter and will include concierge and valet services.
“Currently, World Hyundai meets the basic guidelines for the concept and is also a stand alone, single point Hyundai dealer. We will be evaluating the requirements for expanding our existing facility and look forward to satisfying Hyundai guidelines for the Equus program. Having the Equus/Genesis showroom concept is something that we do believe in. We feel it will give our customers additional choices in the lineup; we want to be a full line Hyundai/Equus dealership from sales to service” said Scott Falcone, World Hyundai dealer.
The upgraded sections of stores eventually will include the Genesis sedan and coupe and any future rwd or specialty vehicle. A separate section of the showroom dedicated to the Genesis/Equus platform will really enhance the brand overall.
About 300 dealerships are expected to get the Equus. Zuchowski projects sales of 1,000 to 2,000 units annually. Each qualifying dealership will get at least one Equus, with future allocations based on stores’ Genesis sales.
See some great pictures of the Hyundai Equus!
