
It’s catch-up time for Korea’s Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands.
Hyundai Motor Group is moving rapidly toward a coming lineup it hopes will make it a leading global player in electrification, with the help of Ioniq, an electric-only subbrand planned for Hyundai.
At the same time, Hyundai and Kia are quickly freshening models, dispensing with low-volume car products, such as Hyundai’s Elantra GT hatch, and planning for key launches.
Among them are the Santa Cruz, a new four-door “lifestyle pickup” segment vehicle for Hyundai, a new-generation Sorento for Kia and the GV80 midsize crossover for Genesis, targeted at Mercedes-Benz shoppers.
All three brands also are planning redesigned sedans this year, with significant freshenings ahead. Hyundai’s new-generation Elantra will arrive this fall. Kia has a redesigned K5, formerly sold as the Optima. Genesis offers a G80 sedan this year that will share its platform and engine options with the GV80.
The group also is setting the stage for a plan to sell 1 million EVs a year by 2025. It plans to get the ball rolling when the Ioniq brand, which will be sold by Hyundai dealers, begins hitting lots early next year.