Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) completed two decades of operation in India and has become the second-largest carmaker in the country. The Korean carmaker is reportedly aiming market leadership in the country and is planning to bring its newly-formed Genesis luxury brand to India.
In an interview with ET Auto, YK Koo, MD of Hyundai Motor India, hinted at the arrival of Genesis brand to the country. "If the market is matured may be by 2020, we may consider bringing the Genesis also. So, we have to see after 2020 whether the market is matured. For the Genesis, (we) have to build a separate network and branding," he said.
The Korean carmaker formed the Genesis brand in November last year. The Genesis will be a standalone brand that would operate alongside the core Hyundai marque. At the brand introduction, Hyundai said that it will launch six new Genesis models by 2020. As of now, the only model under Genesis brand is the G90 luxury sedan limited to certain markets. Genesis also unveiled New York Concept at the New York International Motor Show in March. According to the company, the concept is a four-door sports sedan. It also hints at the design direction of the forthcoming Genesis products.
It is not clear which models will come to India as there is considerable time left for the arrival. The G90 is pitted against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the international markets. That makes it clear the Genesis brand will shed the image of Hyundai as a value-for-money carmaker in India.
