The Genesis is Hyundai's most recent effort to push into the sport and luxury markets, and by most accounts, its also the most credible. Priced at very competitive levels for the equipment and performance levels offered, the Genesis line of cars will be the standard-bearer for the company's image over the next several years. The fact that the company is expecting to sell more of the entry-level and performance-oriented coupes than luxury-market sedans, at least initially, indicates that they are being realistic about their current customer base, however.
Still a somewhat optimistic goal for sale, the 50,000 is "reasonably achievable" according to Hyundai's vice president for product development, John Krafcik, reports Automotive News.
The company also hopes to debut its first-ever hybrid. The hybrid powertrain will be slotted into the Sonata sedan, featuring lithium-ion batteries. Sale could start as soon as 2010, though the company hasn't made a firm commitment to that date. No word on the possibility of a Genesis hybrid, though sharing advanced hybrid powertrains through several models is rapidly becoming a common practice throughout the industry, so it remains a possibility. Despite the advanced lithium-ion battery tech, however, the Sonata hybrid isn't planned to be a plug-in, but rather a standard standalone hybrid, much like the current Toyota Prius.
Reader Comments
Wed Aug 20 2008 2:53 PM
Titanosaurus says
Not a very high # but still optimistic for what the Genesis is ... it sold like 600 units last month but that really isn't say much of anything this early in the game.
Wed Aug 20 2008 6:39 PM
NoNameDenton says
I wish the Sonata would get awd, then Hyundai can start doing performance sedan. (Not including the Genesis with rwd).
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