Genesis (Korean: 제네시스) is theluxury vehiclebrand of the South Korean multinational conglomerateHyundai Motor Group. Initially envisioned along with plans for Hyundai's new luxuryGenesis sedan in 2004, Genesis was announced as an independent brand on 4 November 2015. Its first model, theGenesis G90, was released in 2017.[1][2] Genesis models are designed inRüsselsheim,Namyang, andIrvine, and produced inUlsan.[3][4]
Genesis was the first luxury division established by a South Korean automaker. The brand entered the United States in 2017 and Europe (including the United Kingdom) in 2021. In August 2023, the brand surpassed 1 million units in cumulative sales.[5] In December 2024, theGenesis Magma Racing Team was founded, and at the same time, the brand's firsthypercar, theGMR-001, was unveiled.
Hyundai conceived "Concept Genesis" in 2003 and introduced its first model in 2007 as a "progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drivesports sedan".[6] The body design took three years and the total cost of the program was $500 million over a development period of 23 months. Reliability testing ran for 800,000 miles.[7] There was internal debate whether to sell the Genesis as a Hyundai, or to launch a new brand for it, either as a separate retail chain, or through Hyundai dealerships.[8] Hyundai introduced theGenesis as a Hyundai model in 2008 at theNorth American International Auto Show.[9]
Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group,Chung Eui-sun, who is currently the Chairman of the company, led the entire process of launching the Genesis brand, from the initial planning stage to the recruitment of external personnel and organizational restructuring.[10]
In 2015, Chris Hosford, Hyundai's United States spokesman, cited three main reasons for making Genesis a stand-alone brand: Genesis had already experienced seven successful years in the luxury car market; Genesis ranked among the top three segment sellers; and customers showed an interest in a separate Genesis division.[11]
Genesis Motor announced the launch of its first model, theG90 (EQ900 in South Korea), on 9 December 2015.[12] Genesis launched in the United States in late 2016 with theG80 and G90. In the United States, Genesis vehicles are sold through certain existing Hyundai dealerships, with designated space for Genesis within the showrooms. In May 2021, Genesis launched in the European market alongside the debut of theGenesis G70.[13] Genesis is now being marketed in Russia, China, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the rest of Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as well as Oceania and North America.[2][14][15]
The initial Genesis vehicle was marketed in South Korea as the Genesis G90, which is the brand's flagship model.[12] In late 2016, the brand launched in the United States with two models: the G80 (previously sold as the Hyundai Genesis), and G90. On 14 September 2016 a third model, the Genesis G70, was unveiled inNamyang, South Korea.[16] The G70 was introduced to the United States market during the 2018New York Auto Show on 28 March 2018.[17]
In September 2021, Genesis announced its electrification brand vision, which included launching all new vehicles as electric vehicles after 2025; The brand has decided to produce all new vehicles to be launched from 2025 asfuel cell-based or battery-based electric vehicles, and also plans to sell only electric vehicles in its sales network. The brand has established a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, making net carbon emissions zero by stopping the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles.[18] In August 2024, a revised version of the plan was announced, which included a push for a hybrid transition.[19]
The brand's firstSUV, theGV80, formally debuted on 14 January 2020.[20] In April 2021, Genesis unveiled its first production electric vehicle, the Electrified G80.[21] At the 2021Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, Genesis showed three new vehicles: the Electrified G80, the Genesis X Concept, and an EV-based Gran Turismo concept car.[22] In August 2021, Genesis released images of the latest GV60, the new EV SUV for the brand.[23]
Since the brand's launch in November 2015, a total of 1,008,804 vehicles have been sold through August 2023.[24]
Between November 2015 and October 2018, Genesis sold 206,882 vehicles; of the total, 127,283 were G80 models, 52,417 were G90 units, and 27,182 were G70s.[26] Between November 2015 and August 2023, Genesis sold 1 million vehicles.[24]
Genesis is an officialsponsor of theNFL, theGenesis Invitational at theRiviera Country Club, theScottish Open,[30] and theCondé Nast International Conference.[31][32] ArchitectRem Koolhaas designed the world's first ever Genesis showroom inSeoul'sGangnam district.[33] Genesis Connected Services, acloud-based service, features remote vehicle functions such as remote start with climate control and remote lock/unlock is available oniOS,Android and anAlexa skill developed withAmazon.[34] The Genesis Intelligent Assistant was developed for Android and iOS, providing similar service to Genesis Connected Services.[35]
Genesis follows an alphanumeric naming convention; sedan models are named by combining the letter"G" with a number (70, 80, 90, and so on), while crossovers are named by combining the letters"GV" and a number.[44] Battery-powered versions of internal-combustion models are denoted by the word "Electrified" preceding the alphanumeric.
On 4 December 2024, It was announced that the team will be called Genesis Magma Racing, alongside the name and first renders and large scale model of theGenesis GMR-001. Also it was announced that the team will have support from withIDEC Sport andOreca Motorsport. The car will join the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026 andIMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2027. Testing is due to start in the summer of 2025 and it will be done byAndré Lotterer andPipo Derani. During 2025, the partnership with IDEC Sport will be used to get Genesis team members up to scratch with the ACO rules via a LMP2 driven byJamie Chadwick andMathys Jaubert in the2025 European Le Mans Series.[48] Former Formula One driverLogan Sargeant was initially included in the line-up before he "stepped away" from the program prior to the seasons' commencement.[49][50] Sargeant's seat was later filled byDaniel Juncadella.[51]
After the announcement, the team principalCyril Abiteboul told journalists that the engine will be based on the one used in the sister brand Hyundai'sWRC car.[52]
^Jin, Hyunjoo (29 October 2019)."Hyundai Motor replaces head of premium Genesis brand".reuters.com. Reuters.Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved3 May 2020.Hyundai Motor on Tuesday named its former North American chief, William Lee, to oversee its premium Genesis brand following the departure of Manfred Fitzgerald to pursue new opportunities.
^"GENESIS APPOINTS MARKUS HENNE AS CEO OF GENESIS MOTOR CHINA".media.genesis.com. Genesis Motor LLC. 17 December 2019.Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved3 May 2020.Genesis has appointed Markus Henne as chief executive officer, Genesis Motor China. Mr. Henne will be responsible for overseeing all Genesis operations in China.