Genesis brand article on Car & Driver

[Aquineas]

Pretty good read.

 

[PMCErnie]

This all goes back to the fact that most dealerships don’t have a GENESIS sign hanging out front anywhere. How can such stupidity persist? We have two joint Hyundai/Genesis dealers in my town and this is true at both place that have different owners.

 

[ckon]

I just can’t understand this approach to business. It makes no sense at all.

 

[RCH04]

I just can’t understand this approach to business. It makes no sense at all.

Yes, the whole manufacturer/dealer relationship seems really strange and disconnected. There must be some really deep seated issues between the two. Maybe a carryover from the initial attempt to open separate dealerships? If so, they'd better patch things up and get the dealership situation settled sooner than later.

 

[YEH]

Maybe things have changed since 2017, but the top conquest brands then were Lexus, followed by BMW...

While many Genesis buyers come from inside the Korean automaker’s family – most directly from Hyundai – Lexus owners represent the largest segment – 30% – of conquest buyers to the brand, followed by BMW (15%), Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz (both 11%). Acura, Audi, Infiniti and Lincoln buyers make up the balance of conquest buyers.

Buyers largely are white, male, college-educated and older than 50, with median household incomes touching $145,000...

Genesis Plays Hidden-in-Plain-Sight Role in Luxury Market

Now entering its second year as a standalone premium brand for Korean automaker Hyundai, Genesis looks to make a big impression on the luxury segment in the next three years.

www.wardsauto.com

Don't exactly buy Lincoln being one of the top conquest brands - not to say that there wouldn't be owners of FWD sedans switching to RWD, but more typical for owners of like models to switch (i.e. - GS to G80).

Also, GV80 sales for Dec. and Jan. were around 1,500 and sales for Feb. was around 1,300 (fewer selling days), so it's not like news coverage of Tiger's accident towards the end of February increased sales of the GV80.

 

[Backslack]

If so, they'd better patch things up and get the dealership situation settled sooner than later.

You can start by lobbying your local state congressman to change the dealership laws that basically bar the Genesis brand from being separate from Hyundai dealerships. There's absolutely nothing Genesis can do unless this is changed, because the independently-owned Hyundai dealerships are holding them hostage.

 

[PMCErnie]

You can start by lobbying your local state congressman to change the dealership laws that basically bar the Genesis brand from being separate from Hyundai dealerships. There's absolutely nothing Genesis can do unless this is changed, because the independently-owned Hyundai dealerships are holding them hostage.

Oh, I get it. It’s Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell’s fault, or some other politician’s fault, that joint Hyundai/Genesis dealers haven’t figured out a way to put a Genesis sign out front. Hmmm, I’ll call them pronto to remedy that.

 

[Aquineas]

Oh, I get it. It’s Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell’s fault, or some other politician’s fault, that joint Hyundai/Genesis dealers haven’t figured out a way to put a Genesis sign out front. Hmmm, I’ll call them pronto to remedy that.

None of that addresses the dealer franchise lobby and the laws that they've bribed politicians to make which in most cases require that you buy vehicles from a dealer rather than the manufacturer.

 

[joegr]

...
Don't exactly buy Lincoln being one of the top conquest brands - not to say that there wouldn't be owners of FWD sedans switching to RWD, but more typical for owners of like models to switch (i.e. - GS to G80).
...

I replaced my Lincoln LS with a G80. Lincoln left me. They no longer have rear wheel drive cars, and I really prefer rear wheel drive. I am almost exactly in the demographic quoted above. Lincoln is cycling behind the times. They were still RWD back when Cadillac was all FWD. They even added a Euro-sports model, the LS (think Jaguar S-Type and later XF). Now, they are all FWD, so Lincoln was out for me.

Note that the LS was rear wheel drive, as was the Lincoln Town Car. Both are long lasting cars, and there are probably several of us that have just now got to the point of needing to replace one.

 

[PMCErnie]

I replaced my Lincoln LS with a G80. Lincoln left me. They no longer have rear wheel drive cars, and I really prefer rear wheel drive. I am almost exactly in the demographic quoted above. Lincoln is cycling behind the times. They were still RWD back when Cadillac was all FWD. They even added a Euro-sports model, the LS (think Jaguar S-Type and later XF). Now, they are all FWD, so Lincoln was out for me.

Note that the LS was rear wheel drive, as was the Lincoln Town Car. Both are long lasting cars, and there are probably several of us that have just now got to the point of needing to replace one.

All Lincolns are not FWD and those that are, I believe, offer an AWD option. Thus, don’t cut your throat just yet.

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[PMCErnie]

None of that addresses the dealer franchise lobby and the laws that they've bribed politicians to make which in most cases require that you buy vehicles from a dealer rather than the manufacturer.

I’m not sure that you’re replying to my post which is about the lack of Genesis signs at dealerships which help to depress buyer awareness.

To your point, however, dealers have contracts with makers. Legal questions sometimes ensue. Tell us more about the bribes that you have knowledge of.

 

[Gurgeh]

I replaced my Lincoln LS with a G80. Lincoln left me. They no longer have rear wheel drive cars, and I really prefer rear wheel drive. I am almost exactly in the demographic quoted above. Lincoln is cycling behind the times. They were still RWD back when Cadillac was all FWD. They even added a Euro-sports model, the LS (think Jaguar S-Type and later XF). Now, they are all FWD, so Lincoln was out for me.

Note that the LS was rear wheel drive, as was the Lincoln Town Car. Both are long lasting cars, and there are probably several of us that have just now got to the point of needing to replace one.

Lincoln now has a line-up of 4 crossovers/SUVs. Two are RWD/AWD and two are FWD/AWD.

 

[Aquineas]

I’m not sure that you’re replying to my post which is about the lack of Genesis signs at dealerships which help to depress buyer awareness.

To your point, however, dealers have contracts with makers. Legal questions sometimes ensue. Tell us more about the bribes that you have knowledge of.

They're in the top-100 (out of more than 5000) industries for lobbying activity, aka bribes.

 

[huck2021]

I agree with the signage. The dealer I purchased from owns a Nissan and Hyundai dealership. They are large modern facilities with about 200-300 new cars each. There is no Genesis signage until you get inside the store.

Funny thing is that at the driveway, they have a G80 and a GV80. At the front door, they have the entire Genesis lineup but no Hyundai models.
Inside the showroom, they have 7 cars: Sonata, Elantra, Elantra GT, Palisade, GV80, G80 and G90.

If they want to earn any badge prestige, they have to up their game.

I wonder if a airport lounge type concept would work --- have a special area in the dealership just for Genesis owners. Have windows overlooking the service bays, comfy seats, light refreshments, etc. Hyundai owners seeing that may want to upgrade.

 

[joegr]

Lincoln now has a line-up of 4 crossovers/SUVs. Two are RWD/AWD and two are FWD/AWD.

Fair enough. I should have specified cars, not SUVs. I am not interested in having an SUV. I guess this puts me in the minority, but that's a familiar place for me.

 

[YEH]

I replaced my Lincoln LS with a G80. Lincoln left me. They no longer have rear wheel drive cars, and I really prefer rear wheel drive. I am almost exactly in the demographic quoted above. Lincoln is cycling behind the times. They were still RWD back when Cadillac was all FWD. They even added a Euro-sports model, the LS (think Jaguar S-Type and later XF). Now, they are all FWD, so Lincoln was out for me.

Note that the LS was rear wheel drive, as was the Lincoln Town Car. Both are long lasting cars, and there are probably several of us that have just now got to the point of needing to replace one.

Yes, but I'll bet you're a rare bird (c'mon, how many LS drivers are still out there?).