Hyundai Motor's Genesis debuts in U.S. market

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top automaker, has unveiled its recently-launched luxury brand in the U.S., setting its sights on the world's largest premium sedan market mostly dominated by German companies, officials said Tuesday.

Hyundai Motor showcased the G90 at a motor show in Detroit which will continue until Jan. 25, according to officials here.

The G90, sold in South Korea as the EQ900, is Hyundai Motor's flagship premium sedan model and the first vehicle developed under the brand name of Genesis. 

The G90 was launched in South Korea last December and is debuting in overseas markets by being showcased at this Detroit motor show. The G90’s official sales in the U.S. are expected to start in the second half.

Hyundai Motor plans to expand the Genesis line-up to six by 2020 in a bid to carve out a larger share of the luxury vehicle market mostly dominated by such German brands as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. 

The U.S. is one of the world’s largest markets for premium sedans. Market data showed that about 2 million luxury vehicles were sold in 2014, which was higher than the 1.8 million units tallied in China.

Meanwhile, its smaller affiliate Kia Motors Corp. disclosed images of the Niro at the motor show, its first “dedicated” green sport utility vehicle when compared to electric vehicles with designs and production platforms based on existing models.

Kia Motors plans to provide the hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle versions of the Niro. The hybrid edition will hit the market during the first half of this year. (Yonhap)