Hyundai seems to be slowing down the Genesis when it comes to electronics

With the goal of selling fully electric cars from 2030, Genesis has increasingly developed its model selection in this direction in recent years. But this may now change, as Hyundai has ordered its luxury brand in the past to focus mainly on hybrid vehicles. This should “Attracting drivers who are still reluctant to switch to fully electric cars”, writes Kedglobal, citing sources from the automotive industry. The origin of this decision is the global cooling of the electric car market.

Accordingly, the first Genesis hybrid variant will hit the market next year with a 2.5 liter engine. “Hybrid engines will make their debut in popular Genesis models such as the G80 sedan and GV70 SUV”, writes Kedglobal. In addition, Hyundai’s American dealers have also requested to offer plug-in hybrids under the Genesis brand, but Hyundai has not yet decided if this will be implemented.

In Germany, Genesis currently offers the GV60 as a compact crossover, the GV70 as an SUV and the G80 as an electric luxury sedan. Only the GV60 is on an electric-only platform, the other two models share their platform with combustion models – a fact that should make it easier to extend the range to include hybrid vehicles.

Full hybrids – unlike plug-in hybrids – cannot be charged by the charging cable, but obtain their electrical energy from regenerative braking, i.e. brake energy recovery. In city and country traffic it saves fuel reasonably well, but on the highway the saving power is not good. However, since, like conventional gasoline cars, they are only refueled naturally, it is questionable whether they are suitable as an “intervention drug” for electricity. But at least they save less production.

Are hybrids currently more profitable for developers?

However, hybrid vehicles have a clear economic advantage for manufacturers, as Kedglobal writes: “For automakers, hybrids are more profitable than other types of vehicles because they don’t have to pay huge subsidies to boost sales.” Japanese automaker Toyota in particular has been known for its hybrid vehicles for years. Other manufacturers are now also increasingly relying on the technology. The report quotes an unnamed source from the Korean auto industry as saying: “As the transition to electric vehicles is unexpectedly delayed, hybrid vehicles have taken the lead in the global automotive market.”

Although Genesis makes some really cool electric cars, as we’ve seen for ourselves in several tests, fully electric vehicles have so far played a very minor role for the Korean luxury brand. Last year, Genesis sold about 225,000 vehicles worldwide, but only 18,800 of them were pure electric vehicles, just 8.4 percent. And: In 2022, Genesis even sold a few more electric cars.

Quelle: Kedglobal – “Hyundai to release hybrid models of Genesis in 2025”