Genesis G90 makes global debut in Detroit

Hyundai Motor Group vice chairman Chung Eui-sun on Monday unveiled the Genesis G90 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, targeting the world’s largest luxury car market.

Aiming to sell more than 5,000 units in the inaugural year, Hyundai said the G90 ― the flagship sedan of the company’s newly launched stand-alone premium brand Genesis ― will lead the company’s repositioning in the global luxury auto market.

“We will march toward our new goal of luxury,” Chung said at the media preview on the day.

“We will try to meet the expectations of our next-generation customers through our original design and outstanding performance,” he said, adding that the company would expand the Genesis lineup to six models by 2020.

The Genesis G90, sold as EQ900 in Korea, received rave reviews in the domestic market, with sales exceeding 1,500 units since its launch in early December. The G80, the more casual and affordable follow-up to the G90, will hit the U.S. market in 2017, and Hyundai expects to produce more than 100,000 Genesis cars every year by 2020.

Chung said that he is eyeing China and the Middle East.

“(When it comes to luxury cars,) China and the Middle East markets are definitely on the cards. But we haven’t set a date or any specific plans yet,” Chung told reporters after the briefing.

At the show, Kia Motors, for which Chung Eui-sun once served as president, introduced its large sport utility vehicle concept car, the Telluride. This is the 12th concept car developed by the Kia Design Center in the U.S.

Adapted with a 130-horsepower electric motor and the 3.5-liter gasoline engine, the plug-in hybrid car is expected to represent Kia’s eco-friendly philosophy across the globe, the company said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)