General Stinger discussion split from "Stinger Girl" thread.

[Huda]

You got us with that damn observation!!
@Huda I don't think we can hide it anymore... Huda is my wife ...... mind blown

At some point It was going to be inevitable that they will know.. @YEH just couldn't wait for our Stinger to arrive to point out the lucky observation.

 

[MerlintheMad]

On another topic, we keep contacting our dealer to know if the car has been shipped from Korea (which obviously it has, because it was stated to be produced in June). So they can share the VIN with other info of production dates and the expected arrival our port.

But, just as you would imagine.. no one knows a thing.. the keep stating when it arrives to the showroom we'll let you know.

I ordered a specific car, I should know when it's expected to come! So we can arrange our affairs accordingly. Not knowing when the car arrives is not acceptable.

KIA of Saudi Arabia stating from day one (6th May) that it will arrive end of July (which means a time frame between 20th July to 7th August). Is something acceptable to know when you first order the car.

But when the mentioned time frame starts to come Kia of SA should start to have a narrower time frame especially if the car has been produced and shipped. But like I mentioned previously their incapabilty to care or even try to service you is something beyond imaginable and far from satisfactory.

KIA of Saudi Arabia has a long way ahead to reach the expected customer services that aligns with the brands meassage "The Power To Surprise" and the products they offer. E.g the Stinger and the new comer K900.

Kia has the "power". But they must rely on others to do the carrying out, literally in the case of shipping a car. I am sure the dealer isn't just yanking your chain: why would a dealer not want a happy customer? If they knew anything more certain about when your car will arrive they'd tell you. And Kia, same thing. Waiting is a bitchy thing. I sympathize.

 

[Salman]

Kia has the "power". But they must rely on others to do the carrying out, literally in the case of shipping a car. I am sure the dealer isn't just yanking your chain: why would a dealer not want a happy customer? If they knew anything more certain about when your car will arrive they'd tell you. And Kia, same thing. Waiting is a bitchy thing. I sympathize.

I agree... patience is suffering.I also agree that Kia must rely on other to carry out their the "massages".

As for the dealer not knowing, I'm sure that is not the case. Because once the car enters the cargo and shipped from Korea's Port. KIA MOTORS sends the VIN and production info with the vessel's sail date from the port with an expected arrival date.

This is what usually happens with pesonlized/own orders. And confirmed that with the sales manager of Kia SA. I'm sure the information is somewhere with some ordering
/logistics personal.. but no one from sales rep are willing to get that information for you. In others words they want to sit down enjoy their coffee till some day the car arrives and call you to continue the rest of paper work and get their incentives. This is how it has been, and this we always be. And the pressure of waiting is not helping us at all to accept what is happening. Yet again nothing we could do. We'll just sit back and enjoy our coffees like the incompetent sales rep.... like they always say: "If you can't beat them.. Join them"

 

[MerlintheMad]

@Salman: What about "squeaky wheel gets the grease"? And the parable of the "importunate widow"? Of course, you may be at the mercy of control freaks who revel in their power to maintain (and even increase) your suspense. And if you have no recourse (the dealer literally has no competition, no incentive to behave better toward customers), I guess you are stuck with what you have: lousy customer service. So sorry!

 

[Salman]

@Salman: What about "squeaky wheel gets the grease"?

That is what I did exactly when I was trying to purchase the car. But I'm not going to make a big scene just to know when is it arriving. I feel it's not worth the hassle.. it shouldn't be this way at all !

Anyways, you may have missed how I got to order and customize my Stinger order. I'll quote it from the other thread I made.

I don't know if you guys here know or not, but I'm sure all the locals here know that one of the worst car dealers in our region is Kia of Saudi Arabia. They are by far the worst !

Anyways, since January,2018 I have been trying to acquire the KIA Stinger GT 3.3 Fully loaded, with ceramics silver and red interior. But Kia of SA being the worst car dealer, you will not be able to purchase the car as you want (it is the other way around) sales people will only show you what they want to sell (not what is available), Unfortunately for me I don't have any connections inside KIA like other customers.

So what I did is, I kept fighting the system by filing official complaints inside the company, and they kept ignoring all of them. So I took another route, I started making friends within the company and started my way up the ladder to reach Higher Management until after 4 months I was able to reach the email of the CEO of Kia of SA. which then I told him my situation and how much I'm invested in the new Kia Stinger.

His response was worthwhile, he was not aware of what regular sales people in the showrooms were doing as well as how the complaints were not attended. So he offered me the ability to a customizable-order for the upcoming 2019 KIA Stinger as a compensation for my troubles. And he extended his apologies and how much he was disappointed in his staff.

Anyways, Long story short, on 6th of May, I've made a 10% down payment for the 2019 Stinger GT that is expected to be produced mid this JUNE and arrive early AUGUST. Which I'm so excited for and the days can't move any slower than this !

I just Wanted to share my story with you guys.

 

[MerlintheMad]

That is what I did exactly when I was trying to purchase the car. But I'm not going to make a big scene just to know when is it arriving. I feel it's not worth the hassle.. it shouldn't be this way at all !

Anyways, you may have missed how I got to order and customize my Stinger order. I'll quote it from the other thread I made.

Thanks. I missed that thread. Your story is almost worthy of a saga. It has the characters built in, with Old World hierarchy still very much "in your face". Glad I don't live there! We have troubles of our own making; not the inherited kind, so much.

"Early August". That is drawing closer, at least. And you are getting the exact car you ordered. How many other Stinger owners in SA get to do that?

 

[Salman]

Thanks @MerlintheMad.
It was tough and stressful time then.. I almost gave up on the Stinger when our Hyundai dealer intrduced the new Genesis G70. I almost went through with buying it. But @Huda my wife, kept telling to wait maybe we could get the Stinger we wanted for so long.. which thanks to god we did.

How many other Stinger owners in SA get to do that?

Non.. The Dealer's business model and policy is that there are no customisable orders. To my extend knowledge if the color of you choice is not available we can order is with next upcoming batch (which is pretty standard).

 

[Salman]

What about "squeaky wheel gets the grease"? And the parable of the "importunate widow"?

Anyways, these information did not come easy. I had to do what my buddy @MerlintheMad "hinted" above^. And that's what I did.. I kept emailing and calling them till they finally shared this information with me.

I know it may come as a surprise for all of you. But this is the way dealers here act. I'm 100% positive that this information has been laying around, which nobody in his care to preform his job. They follow this rule "If the customer did not ask, call or hustle. He must not care, so why bother doing the job"

Anyhow, enough already with the negativity.. my so beloved stinger is in the sea right now, hope she isn't getting the motion sickness, because I know I always get seasick.

@Huda Are you realizing we have to wait only 25 DAYS. I can't believe what this car is doing to us from so far away. What could it possibly do when it actually arrives? This question makes you wounder the impact of this car.

 

[YEH]

Hey Salman -

Hope you don't mind me picking your brain a little more...

So how would you say Genesis fares (in terms of perception) against the Japanese competition (baby-steps) presently?

Would take some time to catch up to Lexus, but Infiniti and Acura (w/ a FWD-only line-up, aside from the NSX) should be easier (aware that Acura entered the Kuwait market in 2015, so assuming they entered the Saudi market as well).

Do you think the upcoming Genesis CUVs would have a larger impact when it comes to public perception (much less sales), in part due to them being RWD-based (unlike the Japanese)?

My perception of the Saudi market is that while SUVs and CUVs are popular, there still is a pretty good market for larger sedans.

Has the Saudi market gotten the new K9/K900 yet?

While not a fan of the sheetmetal, it's much improved all around and do like the new interior.

But based on your comments re Kia, likely not to be a big seller there.

Btw, you and Huda sound like an absolutely smashing couple!

 

[Salman]

Hey YEH - Glad to hear from you, as it would be my pleasure to comment on such topics.

Let me tackle them one-by-one.

So how would you say Genesis fares (in terms of perception) against the Japanese competition (baby-steps) presently?

I agree with you that it would take some time to catch up with Lexus as a Luxury-Brand, but nowadays it's moving quicker than ever before (Not Baby-Steps at All). Genesis G80-3.8L already ate a big share of the ES Lexus - I know that they are different in most aspects so they're not comparable (one is RWD and the other FWD - one is larger than the other... etc.).


But both buyers of the two cars are looking for the same thing.. luxury sedan/Brand at a reasonable price (40K-45K), they are not looking for power, technology nor safety features. They Only Want Something To Show-Off - Brand Wise.


My conclusion here is, that Genesis have already caught up with one of the Lexus line-ups.. only one! which is considered a huge step for them. because here in Saudi Arabia Lexus is worshiped, Lexus can make a 1 horsepower engine and people here will go crazy buying it and defending it being the best powerful car in the world - I may have exaggerated a little bit - but wanted to prove a point.


And for those people who doesn't like exaggeration to prove a point, Do you know that you can buy a Lexus for $42,000 and put on it 2,000 miles and re-sell it for $43,500 !!! That's how people worship Lexus, and that gives an idea on how strong it's re-sell value.


And to prove that G80-3.8L has already ate a big share of Lexus ES, the re-sell value for the G80-3.8L has rocketed sky-high regards of the earlier years. you can buy a G80-3.8L for 42K and use it for 4 years with 50k miles and sell it with no less than 28k. That is Something?!! Here I remind you, we are only talking about the G80-3.8L not the 5.0L nor the 3.3L these cars are not selling at all compared to 3.8L.

ut Infiniti and Acura (w/ a FWD-only line-up, aside from the NSX) should be easier (aware that Acura entered the Kuwait market in 2015, so assuming they entered the Saudi market as well).

As for the Infinity, I don't know what happened to it? It just vanished or something happened to it.. To be honest I have no clue at all! My wife @Huda and I went a couple of months back to the only showroom available (that I Know about), I SWEAR TO GOD it was like entering a horror house, the doors were open, no one was there, you can hear your own footsteps replied by the echo, dust everywhere, tiny spider webs here and there, half of the lights were on, all the cars where open, and then we heard someone breathing at the end of the hall (that's how quite it is), so I go there assuming it will be a sales rep which I believe he is.. I go up to him asking how much is that car (pointing on G37).. and he just replies everything is written in paper besides the car!!


As for the Acura, we don’t have here in Riyadh.

Do you think the upcoming Genesis CUVs would have a larger impact when it comes to public perception (much less sales), in part due to them being RWD-based (unlike the Japanese)?

It defiantly would make an impact at a certain level, depending on the price and design at higher scale, interior and features at much lower scale. But believe people here will not think twice if it’s a RWD or FWD. And if they have this mind set when purchasing the car, the will never purchase both cars, they will go with Toyota land cruiser or Lexus LX if they have more money to spend.

My perception of the Saudi market is that while SUVs and CUVs are popular, there still is a pretty good market for larger sedans

100% correct, SUV’s and CUV’s are by nature popular because of the geographical location with the sand rocks..etc also the roads are pretty poor. But there is a big room for large sedans in major cities.

Has the Saudi market gotten the new K9/K900 yet?

I was just speaking with this earlier with my dealer’s GM, and he told me the car first shipment is coming early August, and they have sold all units before they have arrived! So for anyone willing to buy he will be waiting for th next shipment late September.


However, I think this is considered normal, because I believe the brought less than 10 cars, maybe 4 or 6. This is my assumption. Because that is what they did with the stinger.

While not a fan of the sheetmetal, it's much improved all around and do like the new interior.

To be honest, I hate it. But in my defense, I never liked luxury interiors, I don’t like the S class, 7 series or even the A8 interiors. I’m just not a big fan of a how the premium luxury interior designs look. I’m more like a sport interior guy, like Porsche’s interior or a clean modern interior like RangeRovers.

But based on your comments re Kia, likely not to be a big seller there.

Yes, for sure, I positive that it will not be a big seller nor going to be a medium seller. Because if the stinger did not sell the past year, it more likely the K900 will do much worse !

Btw, you and Huda sound like an absolutely smashing couple!

You bet you’re a** we are!!

 

[YEH]

Thanks for your in-depth reply, Salman.

Great/interesting stuff!

Not many English sources for the Saudi/ME auto market (there's Drive Arabia).

My conclusion here is, that Genesis have already caught up with one of the Lexus line-ups.. only one! which is considered a huge step for them. because here in Saudi Arabia Lexus is worshiped, Lexus can make a 1 horsepower engine and people here will go crazy buying it and defending it being the best powerful car in the world - I may have exaggerated a little bit - but wanted to prove a point.

Is the GS available there?

If so, how are sales for the GS? Can't imagine it being any different than elsewhere (not good) - hence, all the rumors of the demise of the GS.

How would you say the G70 (yeah, it's early) is seen in relation to the IS (that is, if the IS is available over there)?

And to prove that G80-3.8L has already ate a big share of Lexus ES, the re-sell value for the G80-3.8L has rocketed sky-high regards of the earlier years. you can buy a G80-3.8L for 42K and use it for 4 years with 50k miles and sell it with no less than 28k. That is Something?!! Here I remind you, we are only talking about the G80-3.8L not the 5.0L nor the 3.3L these cars are not selling at all compared to 3.8L.

Does the Saudi market not get the 3.3T?

So, basically confirming from what you stated earlier - that launching the Genesis brand has paid dividends.

As for the Infinity, I don't know what happened to it? It just vanished or something happened to it.. To be honest I have no clue at all! My wife @Huda and I went a couple of months back to the only showroom available (that I Know about), I SWEAR TO GOD it was like entering a horror house, the doors were open, no one was there, you can hear your own footsteps replied by the echo, dust everywhere, tiny spider webs here and there, half of the lights were on, all the cars where open, and then we heard someone breathing at the end of the hall (that's how quite it is), so I go there assuming it will be a sales rep which I believe he is.. I go up to him asking how much is that car (pointing on G37).. and he just replies everything is written in paper besides the car!!

As for the Acura, we don’t have here in Riyadh.

Interesting that Acura opened up shop Kuwait and not in SA, a larger market.

Not surprised about Infiniti as it has really struggled to garner any sort of traction outside of North America.

The Stinger, alone, outsells the entire Infiniti brand in Australia and much of the EU.

It defiantly would make an impact at a certain level, depending on the price and design at higher scale, interior and features at much lower scale. But believe people here will not think twice if it’s a RWD or FWD. And if they have this mind set when purchasing the car, the will never purchase both cars, they will go with Toyota land cruiser or Lexus LX if they have more money to spend.

The diff. btwn FWD and RWD is that the latter allows for more power and performance variants (like M or AMG variants).

I guess that like for most places, enthusiasts are a minority.

I was just speaking with this earlier with my dealer’s GM, and he told me the car first shipment is coming early August, and they have sold all units before they have arrived! So for anyone willing to buy he will be waiting for th next shipment late September.

Wow! Even if the shipment isn't a large one, that's still impressive (esp. considering the whole brand thing and the price-point for the K9/K900).

 

[Salman]

Is the GS available there?

If so, how are sales for the GS? Can't imagine it being any different than elsewhere (not good) - hence, all the rumors of the demise of the GS.

Yes, its available. yeah the sales are not great. it was doing not that bad several years back but now, I rarely see 2015 model and upwards. it's almost that it does not exist.

How would you say the G70 (yeah, it's early) is seen in relation to the IS (that is, if the IS is available over there)?

It's still early. I can't say. I know that the IS is cheaper than G70. So people will still keep buying IS unless, they want pure speed. it would be a different story. Only Time Will Tell.

Does the Saudi market not get the 3.3T?

We have the 3.3T - 3.8L - 5.0L, I wast just saying the the only one selling is the 3.8L

So, basically confirming from what you stated earlier - that launching the Genesis brand has paid dividends.

Yes of course it paid off, it paid off a lot

I guess that like for most places, enthusiasts are a minority.

Exactly

Wow! Even if the shipment isn't a large one, that's still impressive (esp. considering the whole brand thing and the price-point for the K9/K900).

Yeah I know.. that's just what the GM told me. Anyways, I know someone in the port that just told me that a vessel with 500+ Kia cars just came to the port last Thursday. I believe that my Stinger and the K900's are one of these 500+ cars. Fingers crossed (waiting to hear from the dealer today if my Stinger arrived within this ship)