5 Things We'd Do To Improve The Genesis Brand

[Sal Collaziano]

Hyundai's luxury brand is on its way up, but it needs some help.

Hyundai made the right decision when it decided to spin off the Genesis and Equus sedans into their own luxury brand. Genesis is now adding its third model to the range - the BMW 3 Series-rivaling G70. We think the Genesis brand has the potential to rival the likes of Acura, Infiniti, and even Lexus. Unfortunately, the Korean luxury brand hasn't hit that level of recognition yet for several reasons. We have come up with five improvements that, if made, should help the Genesis brand become a world-class luxury automaker.

One true sign of a world-class luxury automaker is the presence of a flagship sports car. BMW has the i8, Mercedes has the AMG GT, even Lexus has the LC500. Genesis needs its own bespoke sports car to sit at the top of the lineup and make the other cars cool better - this is known as the halo effect. As we've seen with concept cars like the Essentia, Genesis has the ability to design a stunning sports car.

While the we can immaturely beg Genesis to build a cool sports car, the rational decision would be for Genesis to build SUVs. A halo car would help Genesis in a symbolic way, but SUVs would help the brand exponentially increase its sales figures. Genesis has plans for several SUV models, but with the popularity of utility vehicles, the company can't afford to wait to get them to market. We have seen how the introduction of an SUV like the F-Pace worked wonders for the Jaguar brand, and it would likely do the same for Genesis. Read more...

What do you think? And what would YOU do to improve the Genesis brand?

 

[Starflyer]

I thought I read the other day that the Genesis models will NOT be spun off and will continure to be sold at Hyundai dealerships. When I went to see the G80, the first dealership was on the shabby side. I ended up at another that was better and I bought my G80 Sport there instead.

 

[Mcc]

I thought I read the other day that the Genesis models will NOT be spun off and will continure to be sold at Hyundai dealerships. When I went to see the G80, the first dealership was on the shabby side. I ended up at another that was better and I bought my G80 Sport there instead.

Before we start a post that will be quoted as fact, I don’t think that is correct. I believe that Genesis will be spun off to separate dealerships. There are lots of details, some known and some not yet. But it is supposed to happen, and there is a process that Genesis has outlined for the dealers to sell Genesis.

 

[EdP]

I thought I read the other day that the Genesis models will NOT be spun off and will continure to be sold at Hyundai dealerships. When I went to see the G80, the first dealership was on the shabby side. I ended up at another that was better and I bought my G80 Sport there instead.

What do you mean by "spun off". That was done and will continue but at a slower pace to stand alone dealers. Much detail not fully known yet, but existing dealers will not be dumped. At least no immediately.

 

[PMCErnie]

The author of this CarBuzz article seems to be wandering in the weeds of yesteryear. These days the "halo car" is a CUV/SUV.

Regarding a performance division, I think most current buyers would just like to be sure that their vehicle will be registered as a Genesis at the DMV.

 

[Starflyer]

What do you mean by "spun off". That was done and will continue but at a slower pace to stand alone dealers. Much detail not fully known yet, but existing dealers will not be dumped. At least no immediately.

By "spun" off, I meant Genesis only dealers. I just saw that my dealer (Doug's Genesis) might be one of the separate dealers selling the brand even though at this moment, Doug's sells both Hyundai and Genesis. The future of Genesis only dealers will be decided by the acceptance of their new SUV's in the near future. I just retired from the SUV club when I bought my G80 Sport so at least for now, have no interest in getting another one, but who knows?

Below some concept images of the possible 2019 GV80. With the early "come outs", that may be anytime. My last '16 Acura RDX was introduced in May of '15.

Genesis GV80 Concept Photos and Info| News | Car and Driver

 

[Mcc]

The author of this CarBuzz article seems to be wandering in the weeds of yesteryear. These days the "halo car" is a CUV/SUV.

Regarding a performance division, I think most current buyers would just like to be sure that their vehicle will be registered as a Genesis at the DMV.

Really? Why would they be losing sleep over that?
I guess when you agree with an article then it is gospel no matter what others say. When you disagree you naturally believe that everyone else disagrees also. Anyway, dont lose any sleepover this monumentally large issue. But wait, you don’t have a vehicle that should be registered as a Genesis, you are just the spokesman for most of the current buyers. I must have missed voting in that election!

 

[YEH]

I thought I read the other day that the Genesis models will NOT be spun off and will continure to be sold at Hyundai dealerships. When I went to see the G80, the first dealership was on the shabby side. I ended up at another that was better and I bought my G80 Sport there instead.

The plan to have a separate network of Genesis dealerships still holds.

The difference is that instead of Hyundai limited the dealer network to 100 (and picking from a list of applicants, including dealer groups which don't have a Hyundai dealership), all Hyundai dealerships will be allowed the opportunity to have a Genesis store as long as they are willing to financially commit to the build-out requirements.

For all the gnashing about the lack of CUVs for Genesis, they have prioritized CUVs (the GV80 will be the 1st model on the new RWD platform and not the next gen G80), and the entry-level coupe (companion to the G70) is slated to launch after the GV80 and GV70 (the GV60, has since, been added, but probably won't see that until somewhere around 2021-22).

The plan for Genesis has always been to do a halo GT model and the people leading Genesis are really pushing to bring the Essentia concept to production.

In addition to the core 3 sedan, 3 CUV and 1 coupe lineup (w/ a halo GT on the wishlist), Genesis is working on 2 dedicated BEV platforms, so will see at least 2 BEV models (probably more), including a CUV or 2.

That's a lot on their plate and for the time being should suffice; only model that could see them adding in the near future is an even larger CUV, the GV90.

One more thing - Genesis still needs a V8, but a smaller displacement FI V8.

Sure, can add battery power for instant torque, but buyers at the high end of the market still expect a V8 (even if intertwined w/ battery power) and Genesis would need such a V8 for a performance version of the G80, much less the LWB form of the EQ900 and if they bring the GV90 to market.

 

[PMCErnie]

Really? Why would they be losing sleep over that?
I guess when you agree with an article then it is gospel no matter what others say. When you disagree you naturally believe that everyone else disagrees also. Anyway, dont lose any sleepover this monumentally large issue. But wait, you don’t have a vehicle that should be registered as a Genesis, you are just the spokesman for most of the current buyers. I must have missed voting in that election!

Do you own a Genesis, or do you not know how to put that info into your profile?

 

[Mcc]

Do you own a Genesis, or do you not know how to put that info into your profile?

I do own a Genesis G90 and before the site upgrade the car would show up in the profile automatically. I guess Sal decided not to carry over that info. So I assume that info now needs to go into the signature. I hadn’t realized that info was no longer there. Thanks for pointing that out, I have edited my signature. I wish more posters would include model and year so it would be easier to help them out.

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[Sal Collaziano]

I guess Sal decided not to carry over that info.

Sorry, it's a totally new system and things that were not "standard" in the previous software had no way of being ported over during the conversion to the new software...

 

[YEH]

One thing about the use of aluminum for the chassis - automakers like Audi are looking to move away from an all (or mostly) aluminum platforms as apparently, they require a greater amount of sound deadening materials, which kinda defeats the purpose of going w/ aluminum; also the fluctuation in the price of aluminum probably hasn't helped.

 

[verwey83]

about the only gripe i have is hyundai has not figured out how to paint plastic the same color as metal.....had a white 2011 and it was horrid....my white 2015 is much better but still off a shade i think. expect more from a 50k car...oh well...