October 27^th, 1999                                        

Cashback boosts Excel’s value against newcomers

Hyundai believes that its recent re-introduction of $1000* cashback on its Excel range for a limited time has boosted Excel as Australia’s small car value king, despite recent new models debuting in the small car market.
(*$2,000 plus on-road-costs in Western Australia)

With driveaway pricing starting at $13,990 less $1000 cashback for the biggest, most powerful and longest warranted conventional light/small car on the market, the enduringly chic Excel is a reality check for buyers targeted by recent new model entrants, according to Doug Croker, Hyundai Australia managing director.

It seemed obvious that the major target of comparison was Toyota’s recently released Echo.

"Comparing the on-road price of base cars in the spec that people mostly buy, that is with air-conditioning and power steering, Excel is well over $5000 more affordable than Echo," said Mr Croker.

"Excel boasts 17% more power, 10% more torque, independent rear suspension versus Echo’s twist beam, well over twice the boot space and still a third more room than Echo with its rear seat forward—at the expense of any occupants. Excel even supplies a full size spare wheel instead of Echo’s downsized emergency-use unit."

Also in Mr Croker’s firing line were Daewoo’s new Matiz and Ford’s Ka.

"The even smaller Matiz costs more on the road than Excel and can’t be bought with automatic transmission or power steering," he said.

"Its 796cc 3-cylinder motor is a tad over just half the power and torque of Excel’s class leading, 74kW, 134Nm, 1.5 litre twin cam 16-valve 4-cylinder engine.

"Ka—complete with unpainted grey bumpers—is likewise unavailable in automatic and is also much smaller than Excel yet costs at least $4000 more on the road. Ka’s ancient-heritage all-iron push rod 8-valve 1.3 engine develops less than 60% of Excel’s power.

Customising cult
"Excel has an established and excellent reputation with nearly a quarter million sold in Australia over the last 13 years," Mr Croker added.

"The current Excel is usually the nation’s most popular privately purchased car—a sign of benchmark value—as well as its top selling light car.

"Excel has also developed a cult following among young car customisers who are drawn by its brisk performance, rakish good looks and affordability, plus a burgeoning supply of aftermarket gear tailored for Excel."