Re: Hyundai to exit its 'Company Owned & Company Operated' Showroom in New Delhi Have fond memories of Hyundai Motor Plaza from 2005 to 2009, when I owned an Accent Viva CRDi.
The showroom never offered discounts or freebies unlike all the dealers, nor did they overcharge and try to hard-sell accessories at inflated prices. At the time of buying the Accent (a very high-demand car at that time, with 2-month waiting periods and premiums charged by dealers for immediate delivery), I was assisted by a close friend who was a senior official at Hyundai Motors. He managed to get me a car in 3 days flat, with a 20k discount to boot - except, I had to pick it up from a dealer, because HMP could not offer me that discount (it is another matter that the dealer tried to sell me accessories at 3x market prices, for which he was suitably reprimanded later on).
Service quality in the earlier years was outstanding. But there was a gradual decline in standards towards the end of 2008 / early 2009, when a lot of churning happened in Hyundai's top management, and my friend quit too (maybe my car got extra attention in those days, belonging to the boss' friend! - but I had not heard of other customers complain either). There was also a technical training centre attached, where dealers' mechanics were imparted training on the various models.
There was hardly any sale from this showroom even 7-8 years ago, and I had then heard talks about the showroom being closed down, with only the service facilities remaining. Remember a Korean Hyundai top official chatting with me, being very upset about how Indians keep asking for discounts, which creates an environment of unfair business practices by the dealers.
Wonder what took them so long to actually take the call. I wish they'd transfer the showroom to a dealer, and keep the service centre on a company-owned-company-operated basis. |