Hyundai to release luxury hybrids and FCVs

Hyundai are extending their luxury division, announcing that the Genesis brand will now be involved in the company's green initiatives. The brand, which is launching this year with two models, will quickly release plug-in hybrid versions, and a fuel cell model will arrive later. This move is part of Hyundai's recently stated aim to sell more green vehicles than any other car maker, excluding Toyota, by 2020. 

Hyundai's ambitious green-car plans will apparently be extended to its new Genesis luxury brand.

After selling the Genesis and Equus luxury sedans under its own brand name for several years, Hyundai is now launching a separate luxury division.

Along with Kia, the Genesis brand will play a role in meeting Hyundai's goal of selling more green cars than any carmaker except Toyota by 2020.

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Genesis will get plug-in hybrids first, with fuel-cell cars following eventually, according to Automotive News (subscription required).

Plug-in hybrids will serve as an intermediate step before fuel-cell cars become more widely available, Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski said in an interview with the industry trade journal.

However, Zuchowski declined to say which Genesis models would get plug-in hybrid powertrains.

2017 Genesis G90

The luxury brand launches this year with the G90 and G80, the latter a re-badged and updated version of the current Hyundai Genesis.

A G70 compact sedan is expected to join the lineup at some point, followed by two crossovers.

ALSO SEE: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq product team discusses U.S. hybrid, electric markets

Zuchowski said that plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains could be even more important for the luxury market than for the mainstream market.

Looking at Genesis' likely competition, it's easy to see why he holds that view.

2017 Genesis G90

Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo are in the midst of launching numerous plug-in hybrid models.

Mercedes is also reportedly developing a fuel-cell crossover based on its GLC-Class.

MORE: Lexus Fuel Cell Car Likely To Be Based on New LS Luxury Sedan (Oct 2015)

Jaguar Land Rover and the Japanese luxury brands have been less enthusiastic about plug-in hybrids, although the latter do have quite a few hybrids between them.

The next-generation Lexus LS may get a hydrogen fuel-cell variant sometime around 2020 as well.

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