Pandemic Spells a Late Entry for Genesis' First SUV

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Already in the unenviable position of having gone its entire life without the presence of a utility vehicle, the now-adolescent Genesis brand has one last hurdle to clear before it can join the rest of its peers.

That hurdle is a delay caused by the spring coronavirus shutdown — meaning that the long-awaited GV80 SUV and its revamped sedan platform mate, the G80, won’t make it to market this summer, as initially planned.

Genesis made the admission Thursday, claiming that even best-laid plans fall apart in the face of pandemics.

“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related delays in the U.S, we need to adjust our communication of the timing for their highly-anticipated arrival in the US Market to the fall of 2020,” Genesis said in a release.

A long time coming, the midsize GV80 was revealed earlier this year with two turbocharged powerplants and an interior that aims to impress. That, plus a fairly slinky body and a price meant to undercut rivals, are ingredients Genesis hopes lures buyers away from pricier German vehicles.

Both GV80 and next-generation G80 arrive as 2021 models, with Hyundai’s glitz division claiming 14,500 reservations in hand for the duo.

Soon to be joined by a smaller GV70 utility, the GV80 is crucial product. With only three passenger cars currently in its stable, Genesis’ market presence remains ghostly. Last year was the brand’s best to date; however, with only 21,233 units sold in the U.S., the marque’s market share in that country amounted to 0.12 percent.

Crossovers and SUV spell volume, but the anticipated sales surge will have to wait a little while longer.

[Image: Genesis Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Bd2 Bd2 on Jul 24, 2020

    The pre-orders here have been running at more than a 2:1 ratio in favor of the GV80. But in Korea, it's been the opposite with the G80 doing twice the volume of the GV80, selling nearly 18k in the past 2 months.

  • CKNSLS Sierra SLT CKNSLS Sierra SLT on Jul 24, 2020

    I would like to see some towing numbers. Eventually-I will be looking for a replacement for my Silverado. The horsepower numbers on the 3.5 turbo are higher than the 5.3 in my 2018 Silverado. Would like something a tad smaller. So.................

  • IBx1 I had high hopes but forgot that people from Alabama live in Alabama
  • AZFelix Any chance of show casing a 4-door Sunfire of 2002 vintage, when they were still selling sedans?
  • Jalop1991 You do realize, you can get a $1 lease payment on any vehicle from any manufacturer, for any term.Just make a big enough "down payment". But hey, at least you have bragging rights, right?I keep seeing this insanity being marketed. "Polestar, only $399 month!" (with a huge "down payment"). Are people really this stupid?$7500 to enter into a lease just so you can say "but the payment is only $559!"??? Good God. And when some car full of Kia Boyz slams into you and totals it as you drive it off the lot, what then? The dealership will laugh at you as they count your $7500 and you stand there on the street looking like a fool.Why do people who lease, put any money down on a depreciating and very easily totalled asset like a car?
  • EngineerfromBaja_1990 A friend from college had its twin (2003 Cavalier 2dr) which fittingly re-named the Cacalier. No description needed
  • Lorenzo GM is getting out of the car biz, selling only trucks, EVs and the Corvette. They're chasing the bigger margins on lower volume, like the dealer trying to sell a car for $1 million: "I just have to sell one!"
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