Hyundai Motor said on Tuesday it will launch its premium brand Genesis in Europe by June, thus launching its flagship sedan and sports utility vehicle (SUV) in one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle markets.
Genesis, which introduced as the automaker’s standalone luxury division in 2015 to rival premium brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus, said it will sell both traditional and electric models in the region.
“The Electrified G80 will be the first all-electric Genesis to arrive in Europe. A further two battery electric cars will follow, providing European consumers with a choice of three Genesis zero-emission cars within the first year,” Genesis Motor Europe said.
The unit said orders will start for the Genesis G80 sedan and the Genesis GV80 SUV in June, with the new G70 sedan and GV70 SUV following soon after.
Sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars in the European Union increased nearly 3 times to more than 1 million vehicles last year, representing over 10% of overall sales, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed.
In the first quarter, sales of Genesis cars increased 165% in South Korea and more than doubled from a year ago in the United States.
