After years of evaluating Genesis for India, Hyundai has finally revealed a timeline for the launch of its luxury brand in India. At its Investors Day presentation, Hyundai has confirmed that Genesis’ India launch is due for 2027. But what’s an even bigger highlight is that Hyundai will be locally assembling the Genesis models in India, and that means pricing could be competitive right from the start.
- Hyundai’s Genesis models to be locally assembled in India
- GV80 SUV and coupe-SUV could be the first models for India
- Genesis global lineup comprises both ICE and EV models
Hyundai Genesis India launch details
In September, Hyundai President and CEO Jose Munoz had highlighted the importance of the Indian market for growth and exports opportunities. He also indicated that Genesis’s launch in India would be able to leverage on Hyundai’s already existing network and market credibility.
The move is a key part of Genesis’ broader global expansion strategy, aimed at boosting Hyundai’s margins and reducing the luxury marque’s reliance on the United States. Genesis has achieved one million cumulative sales globally in a period of eight years and has delivered double-digit profit margins in two of those years.
Genesis GV80 likely to be first model for India
GV80 design already patented in India
Currently, Genesis’ global lineup consists of 6 petrol-powered models – the G70, G80 and G90 sedans, the GV70 and GV80 SUVs and the GV80 coupe-SUV. Also, there are three all-electric models – the GV60 SUV, the Electrified G80 and the Electrified GV70.
Of these, the GV80 SUV and coupe-SUV duo are likely to make it to India first. SUVs comprise over 70 percent of Hyundai’s India sales, and it is very likely that the brand will continue to leverage on the popularity of this body style in India with the Genesis brand as well. Moreover, Hyundai has already trademarked the design of the GV80 coupe here.
Abroad, the GV80 coupe-SUV gets three engine options – a 304hp, 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, a 380hp, 3.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 415hp, mild-hybrid, 3.5-litre turbo-petrol unit. Meanwhile, the GV80 SUV only gets the 304hp, 2.5-litre and 380hp, 3.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. All models get all-wheel drive as standard. It remains to be seen which powertrain options are offered here in India.
Genesis brand positioning in India
Could be positioned against midsize luxury SUVs from Mercedes, BMW
Given the size of the GV80 duo, the models are likely to be positioned against the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5 and Audi Q7 in India, right in the thick of the midsize luxury SUV segment. What should give the company some confidence is that the luxury car segment is steadily growing in India.
At just over 1 percent of India’s total passenger vehicle market, the luxury car segment is still miniscule but growing at a rate faster than the mainstream category, especially so at the higher end of the spectrum. In FY2025, it grew 3.3 percent compared to 2 percent growth seen in the overall industry. Genesis could, therefore, be well poised to ride this momentum if brought here at the right price with the right product strategy.
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