The Korean premium automaker is already preparing a hybrid vehicle lineup for debut next year, Korea Economic Daily claims quoting insiders. According to these reports, Genesis sees the need to get ICE car drivers gradually interested in EVs, rather than forcing them to go full-on electric outright.
Earlier promises from the Hyundai-Kia alliance included making all Genesis vehicles completely electric by 2025. However, reports are now trickling in that the company is quickly revising its old strategy after seeing consumer interest towards EV fade. The executives believe the idea of zero-emission transports is one to require gradual adoption, and hybrids fit the bill perfectly.
While not official, it looks like the G80 sedan and the GV70 SUV will be the first Genesis models to go hybrid. A new powertrain based on a 2.5-liter engine is allegedly being developed for both right now. In mid-2023, reports came in that the next generation of the Hyundai Palisade would be using a very similar powertrain.
The sources claim that the Palisade hybrid is scheduled for release sometime in 2024. The smaller Kia Seltos should also wind up with a part-electric system, possibly borrowed from the latest Hyundai Kona.
In Q4 2023, the Korean automotive giant reported a roughly 3% improvement of the share of hybrids in its international sales. At the same time, the share of EVs has shrunk from 5.7 to 5.3 percent. For its own part, the Genesis brand reported selling more cars overall, but fewer EVs.