Various media outlets from US and Korea are reporting that Hyundai Motor Co.’s Genesis has for the first time overtaken the Mercedes E-Class sales for the month of February, 2016.
Genesis sales – now a separate premium brand for Hyundai in the same manner how Lexus and Infiniti is for Toyota and Nissan respectively – reportedly rose 13.4% to 2532 units in America during the last month, compared to third place W212 E-Class with a sales figure of 2362 units.
The BMW 5-Series leads sales in the mid-luxury market with 2758 units sold.
All things considered, the Genesis name, even before it was made to be a sub-brand of Hyundai, enjoyed a sterling reputation in America. Its first generation model that hit US roads in 2008 was even named North American Car of the Year for 2009.
The transition from being a ‘model’ to the premium arm of Hyundai is currently underway. The current 2016-model year Genesis will eventually be rebadged as the G80 during the summer, before other models start to come in. This will include the flagship 420hp 5.0-litre V8 G90 (replacing the current Hyundai Equus), and also the G70.
Of course, let’s not forget that the W213 Mercedes E-Class is right around the corner. Let’s see how much fight the G80 will put up, and how the aging F10 BMW 5-Series will fare then.
