UK: Hyundai lobbies for RHD Genesis coupe
Author: Andrew Charman | 26 February 2010
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Genesis is so far only available with left-hand-drive |
Hyundai hopes to bring the coupe version of its luxury Genesis model line into the UK and to sell it as a separate up-market brand alongside the existing range.
The Coupe has been on sale in the USA since February last year, with a choice of a 210bhp two-litre I4 turbo or 3.8-litre 306bhp V6 engine. It will go on sale in Europe next year in left-hand-drive form.
Speaking to just-auto at the British launch of Hyundai’s ix35 crossover, Hyundai Motor UK managing director Tony Whitehorn said that he was lobbying for the building of right-hand-drive (RHD) versions of the Coupe.
“I would anticipate selling the car in limited numbers, 50 to 100 per year, as a halo vehicle,” Whitehorn said.
“It would be sold out of some but not all of our existing Hyundai dealers at prices from around GBP30,000 but the Genesis would be marketed as a stand-alone brand, not as a Hyundai.”
He added that such proposals had not yet been discussed with UK Hyundai dealers because it was still not certain whether the car would be made with RHD.
“We will know in around six months time,” he said.
Hyundai distributors in Japan and Australia are also lobbying for RHD versions to be built, just-auto understands.
Hyundai is planning an aggressive UK launch progamme, unveiling eight models by the end of 2011. The ix35, which officially goes on sale on 25th March, will be followed in the third quarter of this year by a B segment MPV, effectively Hyundai’s version of sister brand Kia’s recently-launched Venga.
Next year will see a new D-segment car, the i40, replacing the Sonata and set to be unveiled in concept form at next week’s Geneva motor show. It will go on sale initially in estate (wagon) form followed by a saloon.
Other new cars for 2011 include an all-new version of the i30 hatch, a small coupe, compact-MPV and a facelift of the i20 supermini.
Sectors: Retailing, marketing & distribution, Vehicle manufacturers
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There is currently 1 comment on this article
Strange, Autocar reported in November that a RHD version had been approved and was on the way?!?
There's a big gap in the market between hot hatches and premium German coupes. They should be more confident, aiming to sell 1,000 a year at £25k. £30k would be a tough sell when a 370Z is the same price.
Hyundai/Kia's image is improving in the UK but launching another half-dozen superminis/MPVs wont boost it to the next level or attract a new/younger audience to their showrooms.
lrh said at 1:54 pm, March 20, 2010
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