As the Indian luxury car market approaches record levels, Hyundai Motor Corporation is preparing to launch its premium luxury brand, Genesis, in the country, potentially by late 2025. Reports suggest that Hyundai has established a dedicated team to devise a strategy for introducing the Genesis brand in India, with a particular emphasis on SUVs. This plan is consistent with earlier indications of Hyundai’s interest in bringing Genesis to the Indian market.
The initial approach involves evaluating the GV70, GV80, and potentially the GV90 SUVs for launch. These models may initially be imported as fully assembled units (CBUs), with subsequent plans to commence local assembly at Hyundai’s facility in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai.
The Genesis GV70, a contender against the Mercedes GLC and Audi Q5, offers a range of petrol and petrol-hybrid powertrain options. Another contender, the GV80, is a well-received Genesis SUV competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5. Additionally, the Genesis GV60 e-SUV, targeting the BMW iX1 and Volvo XC40 Recharge, along with the upcoming GV90 SUV, poised against the Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLS Maybach, may also be evaluated for the Indian market.
Since its inception in 2015, Genesis has achieved significant global success, selling over one million vehicles. The brand aims to transition to a zero-emission brand by 2030, with plans to introduce exclusively electric vehicles from 2025 onwards and strive for carbon neutrality by 2035.
In India, the luxury car market is witnessing rapid growth, projected to surpass 50,000 units for the first time in 2024. Despite luxury car sales constituting a small fraction of overall passenger vehicle sales (1.5-2 percent), luxury automakers anticipate double-digit growth in 2024, surpassing the broader automotive market.