Hyundai to sell 50,000 Genesis per year, Sonata hybrid coming in 2010
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis sedan.
Hyundai's first foray into the world of rear-wheel-drive needs to be a success in order to justify the development, manufacturing and launching costs. Hyundai's vice president for product development, John Krafcik, told reports that the automaker expects to sell 50,000 Genesis models annually in the U.S. – 20,000 sedans and 30,000 coupes.
But the Genesis is only part of Hyundai's image makeover. The Korean manufacturer intends to launch its first hybrid model by 2010, equipped with a next generation lithium-ion battery pack. According to Krafcik, "Our first U.S. hybrid is going to be the Sonata," however, Hyundai has no plans to offer the new sedan with a plug-in option. That's a strategy that's served Toyota well, and Hyundai is clearly trying to follow in the Japanese juggernaut's footsteps.
Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan
Gallery: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GROM 3:44PM (8/20/2008)
"no plans to offer the new sedan with a plug-in option"
Bad decision in my opinion. They should offer the best possible hybrid which by 2010 will be plug-in.
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Keith Griffin 3:53PM (8/20/2008)
There is no way the plug-in hybrid is going to be viable for the 2010 model year. Also, you can't expect Hyundai to lead the way in this technology. It's good that they're taking the baby steps necessary to embrace this technology at least.
Seoultrain 4:13PM (8/20/2008)
See "Volt" regarding "biting off more than one can chew"
PJ 6:07PM (8/20/2008)
IIRC, even the next-gen Prius won't have plug-in capability until 2011 or 2012 (could be wrong).
As it is, production Li-Ion technology by 2010 is a pretty ambitious goal. Pulling it off would do wonders for Hyundai's rep--which they'll need, since their previously-effective "V6 for the price of a Four" angle isn't so much a selling point anymore.
Kwesi 3:45PM (8/20/2008)
I wish Hyundai all the best
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Smegley 3:56PM (8/20/2008)
50k units per year would be a 10% increase on their current unit sales. I'd say that's going to be a bit tough.
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TKE 4:04PM (8/20/2008)
30,000 coupes per year in the USA? Maybe year one... MAYBE year two, but each year? Coupe sales don't normally work like that.
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hoosker_doo 4:05PM (8/20/2008)
I would like the Genesis Coupe a lot more if it resembled the Genesis Sedan. The sedan's styling is far less boy-racer looking compared to the coupe.
Besides, if it's the coupe version shouldn't it at least look similar to the sedan?
Meh, maybe it's just me :/
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SPG 4:10PM (8/20/2008)
I hope that Hyundai is successful, I'd hate to see an affordable, attractive, rear drive, performance oriented lineup dissapear from the North American market.
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RamblinReck89 4:23PM (8/20/2008)
I like the Genesis. If only the leather on the Genesis was available in the Sonata. The leather in the Sonata sucks.
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Aprime 4:32PM (8/20/2008)
The new one or the old one?
wagonphile 4:36PM (8/20/2008)
I'm just hoping for a Kia spinoff of the Genesis, which would mean even more affordable rear-wheel-drive-sedan goodness. Six cylinders only? Not a problem. Offer a manual? Wonderful. Weld a proper cap on the back and make a wagon, and you've made my day.
I want an affordable wagon that will haul our kids and our stuff and still make me smile in the twisties when I solo to the grocery store.
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DKB_SATX 10:32PM (8/20/2008)
You should've grabbed a Subaru Legacy GT Wagon while they were selling them in the US. I love mine and hate Subaru for discontinuing it in the Legacy line.
Frylock350 7:42AM (8/21/2008)
You can get a good discount on a Dodge Magnum SXT.
John Ward 5:01PM (8/20/2008)
I currently own a 2006 Sonata GLS V6. It's my second Hyundai. It's been a great car, 2 1/2 years, have 40k on it now and not a single problem. I'm glad they are coming out with a Hybrid Sonata. It seems like a logical decision. I wonder if it'll be a 4 cylinder Hybrid or a V6 version? As for the Genesis, I think it is a great value for as much car as you're getting.
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Bob-omb 5:57PM (8/20/2008)
I think you can count on it being a 4-cylinder Sonata. They're going to ape the Camry Hybrid, not the Accord Hybrid. And for good reason.
Crackberry Addict 7:17PM (8/20/2008)
yeah we all know how efficient the accord hybrid was! SARCASM ;)
tuna 5:32PM (8/20/2008)
50k units in the klingon homeworld might be obtainable. But, here in the USA? good luck. It's going to be tough for those who shop in the luxury or near luxury market to take Hyundai's first forray in the segment seriously. And for those looking to move up into this segment, it doesn't have the luxury image yet. Plus, there's the economy... which would keep these folks from spending money.
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Bob-omb 5:58PM (8/20/2008)
Sigh. Read the article. They only expect to sell 20K of the Genesis Sedan. The Genesis Coupe -- which will be roughly $10,000 cheaper -- is expected to sell more.
jsjs 11:09PM (8/20/2008)
It's precisely due to the situation of the economy that the Genesis models should do well.
More bang for the buck - esp. since leasing a near lux/luxury car is becoming a much more difficult proposition these days.