Genesis To Begin Assault On Luxury Market With American Made Models

Remember that in the 1980s when the Hyundai Pony first showed up on American shores, it was a crappy little Korean car, bought only by people who couldn't afford something reasonably okay. Today, Hyundai and Kia are known as very respectable economy cars. When you consider the purchase price, you get solid value and a very reasonable level of quality, few repairs, and reasonable maintenance costs. They've found their niche!

Genesis going toe-to-toe against the luxury brands might initially appear like an insurmountable challenge, but don't think "Genesis vs Mercedes S-Class". Think "Genesis vs B-Class" or maybe C-Class.

No doubt, Genesis has serious challenges ahead! I have no idea of what the outcome will be, but I would not be surprised if in 2 decades the top luxury brands are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi or Genesis battling for third place.

Time will tell. Today, I don't view Genesis in the same league as the world's top luxury brands. A decade or two down the line? I don't know.

The Pony did not come to the USA. The Excel did.

As is, the Genesis/Genesis G80 is most decidedly in the hunt against the 5 Series and the E Class segment. It's definitely more attractive than the Lexus GS and with the CTS not getting the traction it needs, the Caddy is vulnerble. Now factor in the all-new-but-all-old looking 5 Series and the G80 can make headway.

The American built model would likely be a significant refresh.

Played well, Genesis will NOT take decades to gain tractionin the market.

re: "The Pony did not come to the USA. The Excel did."

According to this Wiki article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Excel the Hyndai Excel was also called the Hyundai Pony and the Hyundai Pony Excel.

You should know better than to trust Wikipedia. The Excel was sold as the Excel in the USA and never as a Pony. Canada on the other hand was a different story as the Pony WAS sold there and it was THERE where the double name was used. The Excel was the first Hyundai to be sold in the USA.

It was just announce I believe that these cars will be built in the US, in Alabama. So they cannot be viewed as "Korean imports" any longer. Genesis will not, overnight, convert this generation but it will build a following and they will continue to improve. The new name was the right thing to do for sure. So an American built Genesis vs a Korean built Hyundai. Its all about the Marketing. Mercedes is living off its pedigree and BMW has the "UDM" motto of which none of their cars are anymore. Nor is Cadillac the Std of the World any longer. There is room for these cars and the longer they're around offering much much more for less money well younger generations will see the value I'd say. There will probably always be a Premium and then Near Premium and these may stay "NP" but still what do you get for your money? Probably more than one might think...

-6 huh... must have struck a cord w/idiots...

@xjug1987a There are VERY FEW intelligent people here like us. I get the impression that most of the people here are 12 year old boys with bad acne and a kleenex addiction given how junior high they are when they deboost comments thinking it will hurt.

xjug1987a: +1, and putting my name to it.

Completely agree guys.

You clearly are being contrary for the sake of being contrary.

It's good that people who want an upgraded kia/hyundai have the genesis brand to move into, but won't take much from rest of market. May get some from Buick,Lincoln, Acura.