At the Hyundai Motor India Investor Day on October 15, the Korean carmaker said it will launch the Genesis brand in the country in 2027.
What is Genesis?
Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota and Acura is to Honda – a premium brand created to compete directly with established global luxury carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. It was officially launched as a standalone brand in November 2015.
Where are these made?
Genesis vehicles are designed in places such as Russelsheim, Germany; Namyang, South Korea; and Irvine, California. Most are manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea, but the Electrified GV70 was the first Genesis model to begin assembly in the US at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama facility.
When will it come?
The brand is scheduled to be launched in the Indian market by 2027. Genesis vehicles are planned to be locally assembled (CKD, or completely knocked down) in India, a strategy that aims to offer competitive pricing against its rivals by circumventing high import duties.
Genesis vehicles will compete against models such as Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class and GLE, Audi A4, A6 and Q5, and BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and X3 – basically selling in the Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore segment.
What are the models?
While the specific line-up will be announced closer to the launch, the global model range includes sedans and SUVs such as the GV60, GV70, GV80, G70, G80, and G90. Of these, the G models are sedans, and the GV models are SUVs/crossovers.
Are these already in India?
Yes, the top management of Hyundai uses imported Genesis vehicles, and these are also with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
Does it also have EVs?
Yes, there are models such as the Electrified G80 featuring a 94.5-kWh battery, allowing for an impressive driving range of up to 475 km, and the Electrified GV70 powered by a 84-kWh battery, offering a range of up to 423 km.
