Hyundai separating Genesis as stand alone luxury brand
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Missouri
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hyundai separating Genesis as stand alone luxury brand
Genesis is to become a independent line up of premium cars sold through existing Hyundai dealerships.
http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...-genesis-brand
http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...-genesis-brand
Hyundai to push into luxury market with stand-alone Genesis brand, report says
Brand to include existing Genesis sedan, coupe and renamed Equus; Midsize premium SUV to be added by 2019
Norihiko Shirouzu
Reuters
November 3, 2015 - 10:11 am ET
BEIJING -- Hyundai Motor Co. appears set to launch a independent global premium product lineup, to be called Genesis, as it seeks to boost profitability that is being squeezed by a strong won currency.
Hyundai is expected to announce the move in South Korea as early as Wednesday (Tuesday in the U.S.), three people close to the company told Reuters.
The maker of the Sonata midsize sedan and Santa Fe crossover plans to launch Genesis as a separate global brand, though the lineup is likely to be sold through the existing Hyundai-brand distribution channel -- at least for now, said one of the knowledgeable individuals.
Hyundai launched a luxury midsize sedan called the Genesis in 2008, as well as a related coupe model. It later added a remodeled Equus as a flagship sedan to that upscale lineup.
Those cars will form the core of the Genesis lineup, with a midsize SUV to be added by around 2019, the three individuals said. The Equus would likely be renamed.
"A small line of upscale products is going to be sold under the Genesis brand name. It's not a physically separated brand with its own channel," one of the knowledgeable individuals told Reuters, adding Hyundai, for now, thinks that setting up a separate channel of Genesis stores carries too much risk.
The planned move would go some way to fulfilling Hyundai Chairman Chung Mong-koo's long-held ambitions to take the automaker more upmarket.
Hyundai Motor declined to comment.
Premium prospects
Hyundai decided around a decade ago not to set up a stand-alone upscale brand, but instead tested the water with the Genesis models.
At that time, external advisers cautioned Hyundai wasn't ready to move to a standalone luxury brand, and should concentrate first on strengthening the core Hyundai brand.
A well-known Detroit-based product and marketing expert warned the Korean firm then that Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. spent around $5 billion to build its Lexus luxury marque from scratch, and took a decade to break even.
Now, though, Hyundai faces a profit squeeze from a strong Korean won that eats away at revenue on cars sold outside Korea -- about 75 percent of the company's sales.
There is also tougher competition in its home market from German luxury brands such as BMW and Audi, said one of the knowledgeable individuals, none of whom wanted to be named as they are not authorized to talk to the media.
Many in the automotive industry believe sales of luxury models will grow faster than the overall market -- and generate bigger profits than the mass market cars Hyundai specializes in.
The high end is a crowded marketplace, however.
Fiat Chrysler's Alfa Romeo brand , Cadillac , Lincoln, Infiniti and Acura are all chasing aspiring luxury car buyers from the United States to China -- markets where German brands are already strong. And there's Tesla Motors now, too.
Ko Tae-bong, industry analyst at HI Investment & Securities, said Hyundai had caught up with the global industry with its "value for money" cars, and it was now time "to jump to the next level."
"It's about the profitability. Hyundai is well known for value for money, and customers will buy cars based on that. Selling expensive luxury cars can boost its sluggish profits growth," Ko said.
According to two of the knowledgeable individuals, however, some of Hyundai's U.S.-based sales executives are concerned the company may be rushing into launching a stand-alone premium brand. They think headquarters may not have "thoroughly thought through the move," said one of the individuals. "Some are not very happy."
"Creating a new brand from the ground up ... you'd have to be very thoughtful and measured. All those questions have not been fully answered," he said.
Brand to include existing Genesis sedan, coupe and renamed Equus; Midsize premium SUV to be added by 2019
Norihiko Shirouzu
Reuters
November 3, 2015 - 10:11 am ET
BEIJING -- Hyundai Motor Co. appears set to launch a independent global premium product lineup, to be called Genesis, as it seeks to boost profitability that is being squeezed by a strong won currency.
Hyundai is expected to announce the move in South Korea as early as Wednesday (Tuesday in the U.S.), three people close to the company told Reuters.
The maker of the Sonata midsize sedan and Santa Fe crossover plans to launch Genesis as a separate global brand, though the lineup is likely to be sold through the existing Hyundai-brand distribution channel -- at least for now, said one of the knowledgeable individuals.
Hyundai launched a luxury midsize sedan called the Genesis in 2008, as well as a related coupe model. It later added a remodeled Equus as a flagship sedan to that upscale lineup.
Those cars will form the core of the Genesis lineup, with a midsize SUV to be added by around 2019, the three individuals said. The Equus would likely be renamed.
"A small line of upscale products is going to be sold under the Genesis brand name. It's not a physically separated brand with its own channel," one of the knowledgeable individuals told Reuters, adding Hyundai, for now, thinks that setting up a separate channel of Genesis stores carries too much risk.
The planned move would go some way to fulfilling Hyundai Chairman Chung Mong-koo's long-held ambitions to take the automaker more upmarket.
Hyundai Motor declined to comment.
Premium prospects
Hyundai decided around a decade ago not to set up a stand-alone upscale brand, but instead tested the water with the Genesis models.
At that time, external advisers cautioned Hyundai wasn't ready to move to a standalone luxury brand, and should concentrate first on strengthening the core Hyundai brand.
A well-known Detroit-based product and marketing expert warned the Korean firm then that Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. spent around $5 billion to build its Lexus luxury marque from scratch, and took a decade to break even.
Now, though, Hyundai faces a profit squeeze from a strong Korean won that eats away at revenue on cars sold outside Korea -- about 75 percent of the company's sales.
There is also tougher competition in its home market from German luxury brands such as BMW and Audi, said one of the knowledgeable individuals, none of whom wanted to be named as they are not authorized to talk to the media.
Many in the automotive industry believe sales of luxury models will grow faster than the overall market -- and generate bigger profits than the mass market cars Hyundai specializes in.
The high end is a crowded marketplace, however.
Fiat Chrysler's Alfa Romeo brand , Cadillac , Lincoln, Infiniti and Acura are all chasing aspiring luxury car buyers from the United States to China -- markets where German brands are already strong. And there's Tesla Motors now, too.
Ko Tae-bong, industry analyst at HI Investment & Securities, said Hyundai had caught up with the global industry with its "value for money" cars, and it was now time "to jump to the next level."
"It's about the profitability. Hyundai is well known for value for money, and customers will buy cars based on that. Selling expensive luxury cars can boost its sluggish profits growth," Ko said.
According to two of the knowledgeable individuals, however, some of Hyundai's U.S.-based sales executives are concerned the company may be rushing into launching a stand-alone premium brand. They think headquarters may not have "thoroughly thought through the move," said one of the individuals. "Some are not very happy."
"Creating a new brand from the ground up ... you'd have to be very thoughtful and measured. All those questions have not been fully answered," he said.
#2
Should be interesting to read this 5 years from now, whether they are able to successfully launch a new premium brand to market. If successful curious how many models would be under the Genesis stable, and if it fails will Hyundai reincorporate the them back to the mother ship
#5
#6
Lexus Fanatic
The 1Gen Genesis sedan, though competent, was not terribly impressive, especially in ride comfort, but the 2Gen is superb in almost every way......particularly the 5.0 RWD. It's too bad we don't get the 5.0 AWD in the U.S (which, IMO, would be even better), but Hyundai claims it is because of gas mileage and the CAFE rules.
The biggest problem with Genesis sales seems to be just getting the public to actually look at them. Once they do, the Genesis can often sell itself. My pastor has a 3.8 Genesis, and absolutely loves it.
The biggest problem with Genesis sales seems to be just getting the public to actually look at them. Once they do, the Genesis can often sell itself. My pastor has a 3.8 Genesis, and absolutely loves it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-03-15 at 04:28 PM.
#7
Without separate stores, at least in your major locations, you cant really give luxury customers the service they desire.
Trending Topics
#9
Lead Lap
Finally. The only real problem now is for their marketing arm to make sure future owners forget that the Gensis was a Hyundai
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, there's at least some some truth to that, but it's also true that some lower-rung-nameplate shops can give surprisingly good levels of customer service. My brother's Kia shop, for instance, does things for him that even Lexus shops typically don't do for most of their customers.
#11
That's been a big problem for Cadillac. Outside of major metropolitan areas, there are no stand alone Cadillac dealers, they're wedged in there with your Chevy dealer. Your Chevy dealer would much rather sell you a pickup truck, has 100 of those on his lots and maybe 5-6 Cadillacs, out of their 5 vehicle lineup. As a result Cadillacs are treated like a red-headed step child. You think anybody at that dealer in a place like Kingsport TN(surrounding area population of 200,000) is going to know how to service your Cadillac?
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Very smart move on the part of Hyundai and Genesis
Personally, I think the current Genesis ranks up there with Lexus, MB, BMW in their class of segment.
Cadillac and Lincoln have been trying forever to catch the Tier 1 brands and the current Hyundai I mean Genesis beat em' to it.
Personally, I think the current Genesis ranks up there with Lexus, MB, BMW in their class of segment.
Cadillac and Lincoln have been trying forever to catch the Tier 1 brands and the current Hyundai I mean Genesis beat em' to it.
#13
Lexus Fanatic
That's been a big problem for Cadillac. Outside of major metropolitan areas, there are no stand alone Cadillac dealers, they're wedged in there with your Chevy dealer. Your Chevy dealer would much rather sell you a pickup truck, has 100 of those on his lots and maybe 5-6 Cadillacs, out of their 5 vehicle lineup. As a result Cadillacs are treated like a red-headed step child. You think anybody at that dealer in a place like Kingsport TN(surrounding area population of 200,000) is going to know how to service your Cadillac?
Now, that doesn't mean that all dealerships provide the same level of service.....far from it. Some Technicians (and Service Advisors) are much better than others. But ALL have to meet a certain level of competency to stay in business, no matter how many different brands are sold under thew same roof.
#14
Very smart move on the part of Hyundai and Genesis
Personally, I think the current Genesis ranks up there with Lexus, MB, BMW in their class of segment.
Cadillac and Lincoln have been trying forever to catch the Tier 1 brands and the current Hyundai I mean Genesis beat em' to it.
Personally, I think the current Genesis ranks up there with Lexus, MB, BMW in their class of segment.
Cadillac and Lincoln have been trying forever to catch the Tier 1 brands and the current Hyundai I mean Genesis beat em' to it.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
not necessarily as a multi-brand dealership can still have different staff handle different brands. my local toyota dealership just had a VAST makeover and has about every amenity i could possibly imagine a dealership having.