Re: 2014 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Spy Photos
Those aren't pics of the Genesis.
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While I don't love the new dash design (I like it, just don't love it), it and the rest of the interior looks to be a good step up and more fitting w/ the rest of the midsize, luxury segment (doesn't appear to be as nice as the interior in the Quoris/K9 but that's to be expected since the K9 slots btwn the Genesis and Equus) as opposed to the current set-up which was a bit underwhelming in design and quality of materials (painted plastic switchgear should not be in a midsize, luxury sedan).
A couple of interesting general tidbits.
For those who have been wondering what the breakdown is btwn sedan and coupe in US Genesis sales, last year, Hyundai moved 22,980 Genesis sedans which means the sedan outsold the coupe by a 2:1 ratio.
While I knew that the sedan outsells the coupe, was a bit surprised to see the ratio so heavily in favor of the sedan (thought it was more like 3:2).
As you know, Hyundai's initial sales target for the Genesis sedan was 20k and considering that such no. was set before the economic downturn and the fact that the Genesis sedan was in its 5th year of sale, selling nearly 23k Genesis sedans in 2012 is quite the accomplishment for Hyundai (pretty amazing that the Genesis in its 5th year outsold the new GS in its 1st year and unlike the GS, the Genesis doesn't have available AWD).
Add to that the fact that the Genesis has the highest V-8 take rate in the luxury, midsize segment.
Otoh, always thought the 30k sales goal set for the Genesis coupe was outlandish considering the US market for Asian coupes, but the fact that they sold less than 11k of the coupe last year really shows how much of a miss it was (that ghoulish redesign certainly didn't help).
The new, more luxurious Genesis coupe based on the gorgeous HND-9 concept can't get here fast enough.
The head of design of Hyundai's CA design studio, Chris Chapman, made some interesting comments to Aussie auto publication,
CarAdvice.
Hyundai has no plans to launch the Genesis as a separate entity according to the company’s Chief American designer.
Speaking to the Australian media at a tour of the company’s design centre in Irvine, California, Christopher Chapman said Hyundai is not keen on spending the resources required to launch an entirely different brand.
“I don’t think Hyundai is necessarily interested in the billions that it takes to invest in creating a whole separate brand.” Chapman said.
The idea for the Hyundai Genesis, which is confirmed for Australia in coupe form (late 2014, early 2015), is to become an icon rather than a separate brand.
Chapman gave examples of similar cars that have become their own icons. He noted that although a Mustang is technically a Ford Mustang, it’s simply referred to as a Mustang and that there’s no Ford
badges to be found on the sportscar.
“People really like the Genesis brand, in this country you almost cant stop them from taking the Genesis
badge and putting it in place of the Hyundai
badge. So they’ve adopted that, no only the brand but the belief of the brand [and] also down to the logo, they like the name Genesis. It works.”
He is a strong believer that Hyundai can lead with its products without having to create separate brands.
“If you create an object it becomes its own icon. Does the icon come first or does the brand come first? People don’t say Toyota Prius anymore, just Prius. I think that times have changed and its not necessary to [create a separate brand] you lead with the product.”
http://www.caradvice.com.au/240388/hyundai-genesis-to-become-an-icon/
While I'm totally I agreement in Hyundai not launching a separate luxury brand/dealer network as I would rather see Hyundai spend its $$ on expanding its luxury lineup/offerings and think that not having to deal w/ the cost of a separate luxury brand/dealer network is what enables Hyundai to its price advantage against the Japanese in the luxury segment and I get the whole
icon argument, not sure if the whole icon thing works if Hyundai is set on expanding its luxury offerings (after all, how many icons can one have and would a luxury CUV or 2 ever be considered an icon?).
There have been reports that Hyundai is working on luxury sedan geared towards women which for around 2015 or so.
Basically talking about a more luxurious midsize/large FWD sedan than the Azera (basically would be a Lexus ES competitor, and maybe the Cadenza since I guess Hyundai can't have Kia outdoing them) and while the report was only talking about the Korean market, can't see Hyundai going thru all this trouble not to bring it to the NA market as well as China (and the Middle East); didn't think Hyundai would do a FWD luxury sedan but I guess the (female) market has spoken.
So, if that indeed is the case, and w/ Hyundai supposedly also working on a RWD compact sports sedan which the new Genesis coupe will be partnered w/ (tho, haven't really heard much about the RK sedan lately) and Hyundai likely to develop one, if not 2 luxury CUVs (considering that the luxury CUV market is big and growing bigger and Kia already having shown a luxury CUV concept, the Cross GT), can't see how the whole
icon thing will work w/ such an expanded luxury lineup.
As I stated many a time before, a luxury sub-brand is the way to go (would also help having a
badge design more befitting to luxury autos and would put a stop to the whole need for rebadging).