Launched in 2006, the latest generation of the Hyundai Accent is an affordable subcompact that offers decent quality, decent performance and decent fuel consumption.
Among subcompacts, it’s not the most exciting to drive, it’s not the most practical due to the absence of a 5-door hatchback model, and it’s not the most refined, either.
But it’s the cheapest car you can finance right now. That very well may be the only criteria car shoppers on a budget have.
Is price that much of a factor? Apparently yes, because through the first 6 months of 2010, the Accent is clobbering its competition in sales: 14,020 units have left Hyundai dealerships across Canada from January 1st to June 30th.
In comparison, Toyota sold 8,716 copies of the Yaris, Nissan moved out 8,530 copies of the Versa and GM racked up a combined 5,195 sales of the Chevrolet Aveo and dead-duck Pontiac G3. Here’s the complete breakdown:
Hyundai Accent: 14,020
Toyota Yaris: 8,716
Nissan Versa: 8,530
Kia Rio : 4,608
Chevrolet Aveo : 3,413
Honda Fit : 3,035
MINI Cooper : 2,088
Pontiac G3 : 1,781
smart fortwo : 1,119
Suzuki Swift+ : 42
Basically, the Accent accounts for 30% of all subcompact sales in Canada in 2010. That’s a very big piece of cake. And yet, the car is ending its production cycle, as a new Accent should be presented at some point within the next year. It might even get a name change.
The arrival of two newcomers, however, might change the global picture. The Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 are both arriving in dealerships as we speak, so we’ll see how much damage they can do to the Accent. One thing’s for sure: the Ford and the Mazda are much more fun to drive than the Hyundai.
The reason for this success? Despite an official MSRP of $13,599 for a base Accent L 3-door, you can pay cash and get one for $9,599. If you’re looking to finance, which I’m sure the vast majority of subcompact car shoppers will do, the price is still only $10,599, and you can spread out 0% financing over 60 months.
No matter what province you live in, with freight charges and taxes included, you can get a brand-new car with a warranty and roadside assistance for $240 a month. You prefer four doors? No problem. An Accent L sedan is only about $15 more a month.
Is this a miracle deal? Not really, as many manufacturers offer good rebates on cars that are about to be redesigned and have to leave dealer lots as quickly as possible. But combining a rebate with a low finance rate is pretty unusual; you either get one of the other, but not both.
I don’t believe Hyundai is making much money on the Accent right now, but at least they’re not stockpiling cars like some other manufacturers are doing right now. And getting to flaunt record sales figures every month is good advertising, to say the least.
The morale to this story? When it comes to affordable cars like subcompacts, price could be the only thing that matters, good car or not.
Among subcompacts, it’s not the most exciting to drive, it’s not the most practical due to the absence of a 5-door hatchback model, and it’s not the most refined, either.
But it’s the cheapest car you can finance right now. That very well may be the only criteria car shoppers on a budget have.
Is price that much of a factor? Apparently yes, because through the first 6 months of 2010, the Accent is clobbering its competition in sales: 14,020 units have left Hyundai dealerships across Canada from January 1st to June 30th.
In comparison, Toyota sold 8,716 copies of the Yaris, Nissan moved out 8,530 copies of the Versa and GM racked up a combined 5,195 sales of the Chevrolet Aveo and dead-duck Pontiac G3. Here’s the complete breakdown:
Hyundai Accent: 14,020
Toyota Yaris: 8,716
Nissan Versa: 8,530
Kia Rio : 4,608
Chevrolet Aveo : 3,413
Honda Fit : 3,035
MINI Cooper : 2,088
Pontiac G3 : 1,781
smart fortwo : 1,119
Suzuki Swift+ : 42
Basically, the Accent accounts for 30% of all subcompact sales in Canada in 2010. That’s a very big piece of cake. And yet, the car is ending its production cycle, as a new Accent should be presented at some point within the next year. It might even get a name change.
The arrival of two newcomers, however, might change the global picture. The Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 are both arriving in dealerships as we speak, so we’ll see how much damage they can do to the Accent. One thing’s for sure: the Ford and the Mazda are much more fun to drive than the Hyundai.
The reason for this success? Despite an official MSRP of $13,599 for a base Accent L 3-door, you can pay cash and get one for $9,599. If you’re looking to finance, which I’m sure the vast majority of subcompact car shoppers will do, the price is still only $10,599, and you can spread out 0% financing over 60 months.
No matter what province you live in, with freight charges and taxes included, you can get a brand-new car with a warranty and roadside assistance for $240 a month. You prefer four doors? No problem. An Accent L sedan is only about $15 more a month.
Is this a miracle deal? Not really, as many manufacturers offer good rebates on cars that are about to be redesigned and have to leave dealer lots as quickly as possible. But combining a rebate with a low finance rate is pretty unusual; you either get one of the other, but not both.
I don’t believe Hyundai is making much money on the Accent right now, but at least they’re not stockpiling cars like some other manufacturers are doing right now. And getting to flaunt record sales figures every month is good advertising, to say the least.
The morale to this story? When it comes to affordable cars like subcompacts, price could be the only thing that matters, good car or not.