Thursday, June 19, 2008

Hyundai: Higher and Higher Quality

By Jana Kingman

In an industry as tough as the automotive industry, it would be tempting to accept your position as an industry leader and pat yourself on the back for your success. But Hyundai refuses to accept anything less than THE industry leader. That's why they continue to improve upon a product that is accepted as one of the best buys in the market.

Hyundai's assembly plant in Alabama is one of the most advanced in the industry. It's actually certified as one of the automotive plants with the highest operating standards in the world. Hyundai achieved this elevated status by insisting that each and every aspect of the plant incorporate state of the art technology as well as the latest in environmental advances.

The Sonata and Santa Fe models (built especially for the American market) come out of the Alabama plant. The assembly is handled by over 250 welding robots with complex optical sensors that guarantee tight welds and minimal panel gaps. The quality control is handled by more robots as well as an immediate road test following assembly completion.

That's why every Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Santa Fe leaves the Alabama plant with 2.3 miles on the odometer. When a car comes off the assembly line at the Hyundai Alabama plant it is immediately taken for a test drive on Hyundai's own test track. It's just one more way Hyundai is improving on a great product. Nobody wants unwanted surprises when it comes to their new car.

Cars on the new car lot that have "special" sounds and noises or that have little quirks that set them apart (like a gear shift that sticks in reverse) usually end up on the lot a lot longer than any of the others! And it's not surprising. Nobody wants to pay good money for a car that is less than perfect! Hyundai knows this. It is the entire reason they have implemented quality measure after quality measure to avoid every anomaly, no matter how small. When a Hyundai reaches the dealer's lot it's because it's in perfect order and ready to drive off the lot with the consumer's full confidence.

An intention to improve quality of the product and increase customer satisfaction is admirable. But at Hyundai the intentions are followed by relevant and thorough action. Hyundai even conducts appropriate surveys to garner the information they need to improve their methods as they adjust to changing times. But when it comes right down to it; the public appreciates Hyundai's dedication to improvement even when they're at the top of their game. We all want the very best product imaginable and Hyundai is doing their best to provide it!

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