It’s no secret that the Mercury brand of cars is slowly circling the drain. They have been for a while, and despite Ford’s CEO, Alan Mullay claiming that the brand is doing well, things don’t look too bright. Driver’s Life wrote earlier on the rumor that by 2012, Mercury would be killed off in much the same way as GM did to Oldsmobile.

Why did it come to this? What should be done about it?

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Anyone who has paid any attention to the automotive world knows that over the last few years, Hyundai has become a force to be reckoned with. With a build quality that is arguably on par with Toyota and Honda, and a vehicle lineup which is finally beginning to adopt a consistent aesthetic, it could be said that Hyundai has matured into a serious automaker. After the Genesis concept vehicle (pictured above) made its debut at the 2007 New York auto show, perception of the brand began to shift drastically. And for good reason! The Genesis embodies Hyundai’s goals as a company. With a v8 powered RWD luxury trim sedan and coupe in the works, many naysayers have been silenced. The styling is bold and modern, with many upmarket queus. The whole package is impressive and it’s got people talking. But is it enough for Hyundai to be taken seriously in the premium segment?

 

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