Hyundai Genesis coupe for Australia in 2015

The sleek Genesis coupe that has earned Hyundai much kudos in North America will not make it to Australia -- but the next generation model will.

Hyundai Australia has been asking for the flagship coupe ever since it went on sale in overseas markets in 2009. 

But so far the sporty V6 has been built in left-hand drive only.

It is too late in the current model's (pictured) lifecycle to do a conversion to right-hand drive for Australia and other countries, but Hyundai now recognises the car's importance as an image leader.

Speaking at a roundtable conference at Hyundai headquarters in Seoul yesterday, company president and CEO Steve S Yang told Australian journalists: "The right-hand drive coupe will be available for Australia and other RHD countries," referring to the next generation model due in 2015.

However after Hyundai earlier initially hinted that the award-winning Genesis sedan would come to Australia, Mr Yang said: "At the moment we don't have any plans for the RHD Genesis sedan.

"We are trying our best to meet customers' needs all over the world but we have to think about profitability.

"We know there is a market for RHD sedan for Australia, and maybe Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, how many of the RHD do you think we can sell? Maybe we can sell 1000 to 2000 to Australia."

In the meantime, Hyundai will rely on the cute three-door Veloster as its image leader.

The Accent-based hatch with futuristic looks is due in Australian showrooms later this year, likely priced between $20,000 and $30,000.

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