I stirred up this discussion so I'd like to make a few comments. First, I took possession of my 2015 Ultimate in Late December 2014. At that time, there was no discussion or indication that the Genesis and Equus would, at one time, be "spun off" into another entity. I could not understand why this would not be the case, but was informed that at the latest dealers' meeting, no plans had been discussed re. this potential new line.
Second, the Hyundai dealers that have sold Equus in the past have paid a substantial premium and made concessions or will make concessions in order to properly display and sell the vehicle. I have heard $250,000 as the dealer buy-in, plus building improvements to sell the Equus. The former Equus dealers will now be the Genesis dealers. You will not be able to purchase the Genesis at a former non-Equus dealer, so you won't see much of the G80 next to the Gen 2, as I suspect they will be pushing those out the door as quickly as possible. I know this because I have searched for dealers in my area, and the only Genesis dealer that is available is the former Equus dealer.
This dealership group owns a Chevrolet
Cadillac dealership and a Hyundai dealership, next door to each other. Yesterday, I received a card entitling me to "VIP Services" on a vehicle purchase, test drive, and trade in appraisal all at my home or office, as well as home or office pick-up and delivery for service and maintenance. They still refer to the dealership as Hyundai, but have assigned a "concierge salesman" to provide a luxury experience to VIP customers, regardless of brand purchased.
Having owned a
Cadillac, IMHO, they should spend less money on their "those who dare" commercials and more on dealers with brains. The
Cadillac dealership was not as nice as the Hyundai dealership where I purchased my Genesis (no, did not buy from same group), the salespeople were incompetent and unethical, and the product was unsafe to drive. For an American luxury brand, no place to sit while waiting, no coffee, no snacks, buy your own water, no TV, shuttle drivers who complained about how underpaid they were and drove vehicles that were falling apart, and technicians who wouldn't even try to solve your problems until the words "Lemon Law" were raised.
I have also co-owned a Jaguar with my spouse and, while I agree that the service waiting rooms were nice, we spent too much time and money in them,
I have had very few problems with my Genesis. The service department I use locally (and it sounds as if I am lucky -- mine has a 4.4 star rating) has been wonderful. Respectful, courteous, attentive. Sometimes, I feel like saying, "it's OK. This issue doesn't impact me," but they want to make certain that they address every service bulletin and technical advisory. I truly cannot complain. They provide comfortable seating, wifi, cable TV, coffee and drinks, and even the occasional pastry. For the difference in sales price and in the cost of service, we are so lucky.
When I was looking for this car, there were few that met my need for dual fully functional power front seats with lumbar in each, as well as all the various driver assistance technology. I could have purchased any one of them, but I am more interested in functionality (and before anyone says it, the Jaguar was a gift to my spouse) than brands , Nothing came close to the Genesis as far as value.
I guess Hyundai spoiled us by treating us so well -- the special phone lines, the occasional Genesis gifts, their willingness to go above and beyond to keep owners happy -- that I found being told now that we are second class owners to be demeaning. Before you start in on me, I bought way before many of you Gen 2 owners, and had no idea that there would be a new line, I hoped this would happen and just assumed we would go along with it.
Enough of my sermons on the mount. I apologize to all of you who have wasted your precious time debating this topic. Frankly, after spending almost an entire year at the service department of an American luxury automaker, all the time I want to invest in service is an oil change!