Hyundai‘s enthusiastic green-car plans will obviously be encompassed its new Genesis luxury brand.
Having the Genesis and Equus high-end sedans sold under its own trademark name for several years, Hyundai is now launching a separate high-end department.
Together with Kia, the Genesis brand will play a role in meeting Hyundai’s goal of offering more green vehicles than any carmaker other than Toyota by 2020.
Genesis will get plug-in hybrids initially, with fuel-cell vehicles following eventually.
Plug-in hybrids will work as an intermediate action prior to fuel-cell vehicles end up being more extensively offered, Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski stated in an interview with the industry trade journal.
Zuchowski refused to state which Genesis designs would get plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The high-end brand launches this year with the G90 and G80, the latter a re-badged and upgraded version of the present Hyundai Genesis.
A G70 compact sedan is anticipated to join the lineup eventually, followed by two crossovers.
Zuchowski stated that plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains could be even more crucial for the luxury industry compared to the mainstream market.
Taking a look at Genesis’ likely competition, it’s easy to see why he holds that view.
Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo remain in the middle of launching various plug-in hybrid models.
Mercedes is likewise reportedly establishing a fuel-cell crossover based on its GLC-Class.
Jaguar Land Rover and the Japanese luxury brand names have actually been less passionate about plug-in hybrids, although the latter do have numerous hybrids in between them.
The next-generation Lexus LS might get a hydrogen fuel-cell variant at some point around 2020.
