While North Korea is currently pulling the most news, South Korea has been much longer and more constructive. Made in 1987 Hyundai already more than 700.000 cars. Only not many came to us yet. That changed considerably from 1988. Because Hyundai made good cars at decent prices. By the way, Hyundai means as much as 'modern times'. So the Hyundai Pony and Hyundai Stellar.
Hyundai is not such an old company
The Hyundai Motor Company began licensing the British Ford Cortina in 1967. And a little later they did that trick with the German Ford Taunus 20M P7b and Ford Granada II. The first in-house designed Hyundai was in 1975 the compact Pony, which technically was actually a Mitsubishi. It was not until the 80s that Hyundai ventured into self-developed Hyundai Stellar and Sonata in the middle class. And on the way to success in Het Grote Buitenland.
The first Ponies
Italian design, an engine and gearbox from Mitsubishi and a lot of other parts from Ford. Because they still had them. For example, the Hyundai Pony came on the market in 1975. The first generation was initially only offered as a four-door sedan. Later a pick-up, a station wagon and a three-door hatchback were added. Only three years after its launch, the Pony was allowed to trot to Europe.
But here in the Benelux we had the opportunity to taste the brand before. Because in Belgium, the South Korean brand has been used since 1972 by the well-known Antwerp entrepreneurial family Moorkens. Yet the spread of the brand in Europe did not go viral. It didn't make its way to Germany until 1991. And the funny link there is that the Hyundai Pony as a Korean pet name 'kukmincha' had… And that is roughly translated as 'Volkswagen'.
The first generation: 1975-1994
The Pony laid the foundation for Hyundai's success. The small family car was produced for four generations over a period of almost 20 years. In 1978 the Pony came to Europe and immediately surprised with its good price-quality ratio. The Pony was an unexpected success. And not only in Europe. The Canadian market in particular embraced the small Korean. In the context of what a small brand can be big in, the Hyundai Pony even the best-selling car in Canada. And in 1988, the Hyundai Pony and the Hyundai Stellar de Hyundais who did fine here in the Netherlands.
Not exciting, but good
They weren't earth-shattering cars with collectors or investment potential. They were sensible utensils. And as tough as they were: Most just died in battle.
Since the introduction of the Hyundai Pony, the quality of the Hyundais has greatly improved
Prices had also increased somewhat. But that did not detract from its success. Hyundai remained competitively priced. But went for quality instead of the hit-and-miss concept. In addition, Hyundai had come up with a solid warranty package for new and used Ponies. The guarantee that a buyer could choose another car within two months in the event of serious dissatisfaction or problems was unique at the time. That Hyundai Pony was a small family car that was topical in its time. It was available as a sedan and a hatchback. There was a choice of three or five doors. The 1,5 liter four-cylinder had a regular carburettor, ran on normal petrol and delivered a good 70 plus a little bit of horsepower.
May it be a little more: the Hyundai Stellar
The Hyundai Stellar was available with 1600 and two liter blocks (with balance shafts). Power steering was standard. The topper, the two-liter GSL with more than 80 hp on board, was quite big to see. It was fitted with alloy wheels in the 185/70 SR13 tires ex works. Then very topical: there was an audio system with radio cassette player (with auto reverse!) With 2 x 20 Watt power on board. For the almost real concert hall feeling, there were two speakers in the front doors and two in the parcel shelf. The Hyundai Stellar was a good car. It was quite spacious, not excessively fast or dynamic and rather smoothly sprung and damped.
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Bought an Excel in 1995. What a drama. First it turned out that the dealer had not ordered it from the importer, which turned out after I had already sold my old car privately. After telling the dealer less subtly what I thought of their business, I was able to choose from 2 Excels they had, a pink and a purple one. The purchased white could take several months. So it became purple. A drop of paint hung from one of the front mudguards. When pushing the back cover closed, I pushed a dent in it. With 1 adults and 3 child, the car hit the end of the suspension travel. It was not true, according to the dealer, until I showed with the tape measure that the same Excels in the showroom showed a different distance between the road and the center of the mudguard. It was done with auxiliary springs, which worked well by the way. That did not apply to the sliding roof which protruded so far that I had to drive with my head tilted for almost 1 years. For the rest it went well, but I was still very happy when my Citroen ZX was delivered and I sent the keys to the Excel Citroendealer was allowed to hand over. Never again a Hyundai I spoke to myself. But with my recently acquired Ioniq I am very happy. What a wonderful car and what a quality leap they have made there in Korea.
They have learned a lot there in South Korea!
Why tough? Ponies rusted before they appeared in the folder.
The smart warranty system gave (gives) wings to them. Most of humanity is not interested in the car but in financial security. In addition to warranty, this is also trade-in value, something that the German brands embroider on.
See the magical value of marketing and continue to be amazed
Even once for € 50, - I also had such an ieoendèh Pony without MOT.
That was quickly arranged, and the little beetle from the Mitsubishi Colt did fine.
Solid square… well… it drove.
That's what they are for…. The rest is emotion