On the same day General Motors Corp. announces first-quarter losses of USD1.1 billion, an up-and-coming Hyundai Motor America, riding a 5-year, 364% U.S. sales growth wave, rolls out its new Sonata midsize sedan to the automotive media for test drives in San Francisco. The paradox doesn't go unnoticed. GM's freefall in the U.S. market began in the 1960s with the emergence of the Japanese. But with the arrival of the new Sonata, it might be Toyota Motor Corp.'s, Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s turn to worry - if they aren't already. After all, it is Toyota's Camry and Honda's Accord that dominate the U.S. midsize car market, accounting for 813,760 unit sales, combined, last year. And Nissan largely has been leaning heavily on sales of its successful Altima sedan, which competes in the same segment, for its U.S. resurgence.
展开▼
