The Story Behind the Luxury Brand: Who Makes Genesis Cars?
Genesis is a rising star in the luxury car industry, offering premium vehicles that compete with well-established brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. But who makes Genesis cars, and how did the brand come to be? In this article, we’ll explore the origins, ownership, manufacturing, and future of Genesis, uncovering what makes it one of the fastest-growing luxury automakers today.
How Did Genesis Start?
The Genesis journey began in 2008 when Hyundai introduced the Hyundai Genesis, a full-size premium sedan designed to challenge high-end German competitors. It was a bold move—Hyundai was traditionally considered a budget-friendly brand, and now it was stepping into the luxury market. However, building a luxury brand from scratch isn’t easy. With competitors like Lexus, which has been around since 1989, and German luxury brands with over a century of history, Genesis had to prove itself quickly.
Additionally, the Hyundai Genesis was a hit. It won the 2009 North American Car of the Year Award and quickly gained recognition for offering luxury at a lower price point. This success encouraged Hyundai to take things further. In 2015, Hyundai officially launched Genesis as a standalone luxury brand, separating it from the mainstream Hyundai lineup. The goal was clear: to compete directly with luxury heavyweights and redefine expectations for premium vehicles.
Where Are Genesis Cars Made?
Genesis vehicles are primarily built in South Korea, with major production facilities in:
- Ulsan Plant: One of the largest automotive manufacturing plants in the world, capable of producing over a million cars annually.
- Hwaseong Plant: Another key Hyundai-Kia facility that assembles Genesis models.
In addition, Genesis is expanding globally. In 2022, the brand announced that some models, such as the GV70, would be built in Montgomery, Alabama, marking the first Genesis production in the United States. By 2025, more Genesis models are expected to roll off American production lines, further boosting the brand’s global footprint.
Who Designs Genesis Vehicles?
The design team of the Genesis is led by Luc Donckerwolke, a former designer for Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi. Under his leadership, Genesis has developed a signature "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy that embodies both beauty and performance. Key design elements that make Genesis cars stand out include:
- Crest Grille: A wide, imposing front grille that commands attention.
- Two-Line Lighting: Distinctive parallel lighting design on the headlights and taillights.
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Minimalist Luxury Interiors: Clean lines, spacious layouts, and high-end materials inspired by Korean architecture.
These design choices have been awarded multiple times, including recognition for the GV80 and G70 models, cementing Genesis’s reputation as a design innovator in the luxury car market.
What Makes Genesis Different from Hyundai?
Even though Genesis is backed by Hyundai’s engineering prowess, the two brands are distinct in their approach and target markets. While both share some underlying technology, Genesis is built with an entirely different philosophy focused on the luxury experience. Unlike mainstream Hyundai vehicles designed with cost-efficiency in mind, Genesis positions itself as a true luxury automaker. Here are some standout features of the brand:
- Premium Materials: Nappa leather, open-pore wood, and metal accents give Genesis vehicles a true luxury feel.
- Advanced Technology: Genesis cars include features like a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, augmented reality navigation, and semi-autonomous driving.
- Safety and Reliability: Genesis consistently earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards, showcasing its commitment to safety.
- Electrification: Genesis has introduced electric models like the GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70, signaling a strong future in EVs.
What’s Next for Genesis?
Genesis has already proven that it can compete with the best in the luxury automotive world, but the brand isn’t slowing down. In fact, Genesis is preparing for an even bigger leap forward, with ambitious plans for electrification, global expansion, and groundbreaking new models. Here’s what to expect in the coming years:
More U.S. Production
Until recently, all Genesis vehicles were manufactured in South Korea, but with the brand’s growing success in the U.S. market, local production is becoming a priority. More specifically, Genesis made a major move in 2022 by starting production of the GV70 SUV at Hyundai’s Montgomery, Alabama, plant—the first Genesis model to be assembled in the U.S. This shift is only the beginning, as Genesis is expected to increase American manufacturing to better serve North American customers. It means faster delivery times and potential cost savings.
New Flagship Models
Genesis has already built a strong lineup of sedans and SUVs, but enthusiasts and luxury buyers alike are hungry for more. It offers a possible all-electric G70 sports sedan and a larger luxury SUV to rival the Tesla Model X and BMW iX. As for longer range and faster charging, Genesis is developing 800V ultra-fast charging technology, allowing some models to gain 80% charge in under 20 minutes.
Expansion into New Global Market
While Genesis is already popular in North America, South Korea, and China, it has set its sights on Europe and the Middle East, where luxury brands dominate. Expanding dealership networks include countries like Germany, France, the UK, and the UAE. Genesis also focuses on high-end boutique dealerships, offering VIP services, test drive experiences, and concierge-style customer care.
Cutting-Edge Autonomous Driving and Fully Electric Future
Genesis is investing heavily in autonomous driving technology and fully electric vehicles to provide next-level convenience and safety. By 2030, Genesis could offer a near-autonomous driving and fully electric lineup. The only question now is ready for what’s next, not who makes Genesis.
Own a Genesis? Here’s How You Can Take It to the Next Level!
If you are one of the lucky owners of these up-and-coming luxury cars, you may know that, like all modern vehicles, Genesis cars also use drive-by-wire technology. What drive-by-wire essentially is that the gas pedal is not physically connected to the throttle body. Your pedal communicates with the ECU through electronic signals. This tech comes with a lot of benefits but one very annoying drawback: Throttle lag.
The electronic communication between the throttle pedal assembly and the vehicle’s ECM/ECU causes an initial delay, and that what makes the gas pedal feel laggy and sluggish, no matter how much power you have under the hood.
The good news is there is a simple and effective solution for that: The Pedal Commander throttle response controller.
Pedal Commander: The Best Throttle Response Controller for Genesis
Pedal Commander is the world’s best-selling, most advanced throttle controller. It is super easy to install and connects to the stock throttle pedal assembly with OEM connectors. Pedal Commander compiles the throttle input signal to a state-of-the-art processor and modifies the reading with software engineered specifically to that vehicle—in this case, your Genesis. Pedal Commander eliminates throttle lag and on top of that, gives you complete pedal response control—select from four driving modes (Eco, City, Sport, Sport+) and fine-tune your gas pedal with 36 individual settings in total.
Plus, Pedal Commander is not only about performance—it also helps keep your Genesis safe and secure. Subscribe to one of our affordable Anti-Theft plans, calibrate your Pedal Commander with a simple 3-step setup, and disable the gas pedal whenever you need! Pedal Commander’s Anti-Theft is FREE for the first 14 days, and then costs less than a lousy gas station snack—$0.99 a month or $9.99 a year.
Select your ride down below and order the best Genesis throttle response controller today!
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