The Genesis luxury sedan launched in January at the Detroit Auto Show is something the Europeans will not enjoy. The Korean carmaker says the failure of Toyota’s Lexus premium brand to sell cars in high numbers in Europe is one reason for the decision. "We looked at Lexus’ track record in Europe," said Hyundai spokesman Oles Gadacz.
Last year, Lexus sold 40,636 cars in Europe and Turkey, according to JATO Dynamics. Gadacz said EU plans for tougher CO2 emission limits were another factor. Large, powerful cars such as the Genesis, which is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, have high CO2 emissions.
The rear-wheel-drive Genesis will go on sale in the US, Korean and China starting in the summer. The Lexus GS and Infiniti M will be its primary competitors. Hyundai’s head of research, Lee Hyun Soon, said the carmaker will concentrate on selling mini-, small and lower-medium cars in Europe.
2009 Hyundai Genesis Picture Gallery
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