Genesis has dropped the G70 saloon and GV80 SUV from the UK market, with no plans to bring them back to the market in their current ICE forms.
The cars have also been discontinued in Europe and can, like the UK, only be bought from stock. They remain on sale and available to configure in Asia and the US.
Both cars struggled for sales: Genesis delivered only around 200 examples of each in the UK since they launched three years ago, while BMW sold some 25,000 examples of the GV80’s X5 rival and 67,000 of the G70-sized 3 Series.
Notably, the G70 was designed with an eye on Europe and the G70 Shooting Brake estate variant was originally going to be Europe-only.
Autocar understands the duo could return if Genesis gives the go-ahead for new model generations.
The Hyundai-owned premium brand recently backtracked on its pledge to only launch EVs from 2025, pledging to continue development of hybrid powertrains and hinting at the possibility of a new G70 and a new GV80.
A spokesperson said: “Genesis continues to be committed to pursuing our plans and being a leader in the era of electrification, but we remain flexible based on market conditions and consumer demand.
“We plan to release hybrid models as we continue our journey towards full electrification.
"Further details regarding upcoming hybrid powertrains from Genesis will be announced at a later date.”
Genesis has struggled to generate traction since it arrived in the UK in 2021. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), it sold just 649 cars between January and July this year, down 23.7% on the same period in 2023. That corresponds with a reduction in market share from 0.08% down to 0.06%.
Stellantis’s similarly conceived brand DS is in a similar position in the UK, its 704 sales so far this year representing a 57.9% shortfall compared with the 1672 it had made by this time in 2023.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Why the UK market largely prefers small, slow, meagrely equipped, bland, overpriced whitegoods is just one of those timeless mysteries!
I sat in a G70 at Goodward Festival Of Speed this and last year. A very nice car. Out of my price range to be honest. And unless I was stonkingly wealthy, I didn't fancy the running costs neither on a petrol automatic, especially when all of their rivals were selling hybrid and electric equivilants. But it was a very nice blue shooting brake. I'm constantly reminded by the cookie implants on my computer for daring to visit the Genesis cars UK website to find out more.
I've had a Genesis Electrified G80 for over two years, and after twenty years of Jaguars and seven years with a Maserati Ghibli Diesel (Excellent car), I have to say that the Genesis is the best car I've owned!
Often confused for a Bentley, it's about the only true luxury EV saloon left on sale in the UK, and is probably closest to what the cancelled new Jaguar XJ EV would have been like!
Almost seemingly intentionally ignored by the likes of Autocar magazine when they talk about its closest rivals - the absolutely hideous over bloated new BMW 5 Series, and the much more expensive and slower Mercedes EQE. In two years I've never owned a car which has attracted so many positive comments from passers-by!
I suppose the truth is, horrendously styled pig ugly cars from the likes of BMW, are what those who can afford these cars, want these days!