Sedans safe at Genesis
But design chief says the auto industry is forgetting how to design themThe traditional sedan body type is safe – at least at Korean luxury brand, Genesis .
Speaking to carsales at the unveiling of the marque’s newest SUV, the GV80 Coupe concept, on the eve of the 2023 New York International Auto Show, Genesis Group Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke committed the brand to sedans but warned that young car designers lack the experience to execute the traditional three-box body style.
“I think it's a mistake to, to basically write off a… typology of vehicle. I don't want to have a monoculture of SUVs on the streets,” Donckerwolke stated.
“On top of that, I hate the fact that [some] young designers that I interview have only worked on SUVs because they don't know what proportions are…
“Doing [an] SUV is so easy, and then you end up with, let's say, designers with limited skills because they've only been working on bricks on wheels and I don’t want that,” the design chief explained.
Donckerwolke sees an advantage for Genesis continuing with a strong sedan portfolio.
“I will continue to make sedans and coupes, because you have to fight for every single millimetre to get the right proportions,” he stated.
“I love SUVs – from the roughest, more rugged ones to the sporty ones. [But] it's not because it's easier to sell a typology of vehicle that we have to abandon [it].
“I think the ones [brands] that are making that decision are going to regret it really soon… They're giving advantage to other ones and we [Genesis] are there,” he stated.
In Australia, Genesis currently sells the mid-size G70 and large G80 sedans, as well as the small GV60 (EV), mid-size GV70 and large GV80 SUVs.
The range will be expanded by the four-seat GV80 Coupe crossover, which has reportedly been confirmed for production by 2025, and – potentially – an electric two-door coupe previewed by the 2021 Genesis X Concept, an electric cabriolet previewed by the 2022 Genesis X Convertible Concept and a four-door electric grand tourer previewed by the 2022 Genesis X Speedium Coupe Concept.
Related: NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Genesis GV80 Coupe concept revealed
Related: More powerful 2023 Genesis G70 coming
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Related: Genesis Electrified G80 priced, available next month
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