Genesis push into EVs means dealers have to build stores

Genesis is adopting an aggressive timeline within the Hyundai Motor Group for the transition to electric vehicles. And Genesis dealers, who are now building the first standalone stores for the young brand, are preparing those facilities with EVs in mind.

"Every brand, certainly every premium brand, has announced the transition to EV, so we are looking forward to Genesis continuing its leadership in design and tech and safety with our EV entries as we transition away from ICE models," said Peter Lanzavecchia, 66, chairman of the Genesis National Dealer Advisory Council and owner of Genesis of Cherry Hill in Marlton, N.J.

Genesis will begin marking its first milestones on the road to a zero-emissions future this year with the launch of its first two EVs in the coming months.

The GV60 compact crossover rides on Hyundai Motor Group's dedicated E-GMP platform. The Electrified G80 midsize sedan incorporates the powertrain from E-GMP but sits on the chassis of the recently redesigned G80 gasoline model, Genesis has said.

Both EVs are on sale in Korea.

By 2025, Genesis will no longer launch any new internal combustion engine models but will continue to sell the ones it has by the cutoff date. By 2030, the automaker will stop making ICE vehicles entirely.

"We're not concerned," Lanzavecchia said of the transition. "We're thrilled with the level of acceptance and desire for our models, and we think we'll see the same or even greater demand for our EV models once they're launched."

The EV transition corresponds to a retail shift at Genesis.

Dealers who have been selling Genesis vehicles out of their Hyundai stores for the past six years will have to start planning for exclusive Genesis dealerships in order to receive the benefits of the automaker's Keystone facilities plan.

"All of the dealers have been given the blueprint not only for the charging infrastructure that dealers will require as they build their Genesis exclusive facilities," Lanzavecchia said. "But we've been given a future-proof document and design of how to expand that EV charging infrastructure both inside the facility and on the property as we transition more models post-2025."