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Image Source: Genesis Motors USA

The new Genesis brand of luxury vehicles has been launched with Hyundaispeed!  Bbalee!  Bbalee!  Quick, quick in Korean.

Finally, Hyundai Launches a Luxury Brand  After years of deliberation, argument, and negotiation, Hyundai has launched the new Genesis brand.  Hyundai officially announced the new Genesis brand in November 2015.  Erwin Raphael was appointed head of Genesis in March 2016.  The new Genesis brand goes public in September, 2016.  That is quick – bbalee, bbalee!

In reality, the new Genesis brand is not a big deal.  The brand will have only six vehicles by 2021.  This does not approach the dozens of models offered by Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus.

But wait.  That is wrong, Genesis is a BIG DEAL!  Genesis is the only luxury car brand launched after 1990 that has a deep pockets major manufacturer behind it.  Tesla, launched in 2004, is questionably viable in the long term.

Hyundai has decided after years of consideration that a stand-alone luxury brand is a BIG DEAL.  The resources of Hyundai are committed to guarantee its success.  Hyundai presently has about 835 dealers in the United States.  The new Genesis brand will launch with about 300.  These have been selected with great care.  The Genesis Institute will train dealer salespeople across the country.

Aggressive Launch Marketing  The new Genesis brand launches with all guns blazing.  Genesis launches as the luxury car sponsor for the National Football League.  They are the sponsor for the Los Angeles Open golf tournament at the Riviera Country Club.  These sponsorships are sure to make a splash.  By early 2017, awide cross-section of American car buyers will know Genesis as a brand.  They will know Genesis now exists as a brand rather than just a few car lines resting atop the Hyundai Motor America lineup.  This will get the new Genesis brand and the two vehicles it will initially have to sell – the G90 and G80 – on the radar of people who have money to spend on their next new vehicle.

While Genesis vehicles promise to be outstanding, the brand’s commitment to its customers is a cornerstone of its existence.  Genesis wants to take the customer experience to a whole new level beyond Lexus, Mercedes and BMW.

Respect for Time  Respect for the Genesis Customers’ time is of paramount importance.  Time is precious and cannot be replaced.  So lets call this the Genesis “Respect Initiative”.  Tthe features of this “respect initiative,” hovever, last only for 3-years and 36,000 miles.  The 3/36 commitment results from Genesis management estimates that up to 80% of Genesis vehicles will be leased and the majority of those leases will be for 3-years and 36,000 miles.  During the “respect period” Genesis owners/lessees will get full maintenance, valet service, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, navigation map updates, 24/7 roadside assistance with concierge service, and Genesis Connected Services.  It would not be a surprise if Genesis has a comprehensive CPO (certified pre-owned used car) program in place by the time the first vehicles come off lease that would extend the “Respect Period” for subsequent owners.

Genesis Uses Hyundai’s In-House Advertising Agency – Innocean  While Genesis is a stand-alone brand, it accelerated its launch by using Innocean as its advertising agency.  Innocean is owned by Hyundai and also handles advertising for Hyundai brand vehicles.  By using Innocean, Genesis gets a known quantity without lengthy reviews to select from numerous agencies vying for the job through lengthy and expensive reviews.  Also, there is likely a “family discount” for using the in-house agency in there somewhere.

When asked by an advertising-savvy media member how the new Genesis brand will target its buyers after the NFL and LA Open hoopla, Genesis and their agency will “respectfully” target anyone who can afford to buy their cars.  Genesis head Erwin Raphael contends they have no specific target buyer in mind – no age range, gender, or ethnicity.  They are just targeting the ability to pay a certain lease fee for their G90 and G80 sedans.  And after the brand is launched with heavy advertising and sponsorships, specific groups will be emphasized using Internet messaging and social media.

Product is the Foundation Leading to The Genesis Customer Experience  Presently, there are six vehicles planned for the Genesis lineup.  There are four cars and two SUVs.  The G80 luxury sedan is on sale now.  It is a 5-Series/E-Class competitor.  The all new G90 (formerly Hyundai Equus) luxury sedan goes on sale in September.  It is a competitor to the Lexus LS, Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series.  Later comes a BMW 3-Series competitor – the Genesis G70.  Then a near luxury sport coupe is launched.   There will be a mid-luxury sport utility vehicle and a near luxury SUV.  Frankly, they cannot get these SUVs on the market quickly enough.

Based on driving the G90 and G80, Genesis products promise to give the best entries in the competitive set a solid run for their money.  Initially, they will be value propositions.  You will get more features and content for your money.  Such a deal!