Genesis G90 Leads Corporate Vehicle Sales
in the Over 80 Million Won Segment
The Genesis G90, the brand's top-tier sedan widely recognized as the so-called "Chairman's car," has once again surpassed the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in cumulative sales this year, leading corporate vehicle sales in the over-80 million won segment.
On June 28, CarIsYou Data Research Institute announced that among newly registered corporate vehicles priced over 80 million won, the Genesis G90 recorded sales of 2,494 units from January to May this year. This figure is more than twice the 1,187 units sold of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The G90 had already overtaken the S-Class in corporate vehicle sales over 80 million won in both 2023 and 2024, and continues to outpace Mercedes-Benz in the early part of this year as well.
The Genesis G90 is well known as the "Chairman's car." This nickname originated as the sedan was frequently spotted at official events transporting leaders of major Korean conglomerates. In 2022, when Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, visited Korea, the heads of major domestic groups attended a tea meeting with him, arriving in Genesis G90 vehicles. Notable figures such as Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Solutions; Chung Ki-sun, President of HD Hyundai Group; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; and Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, were all seen arriving in the G90. Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group, is also reportedly using the G90 as his exclusive vehicle.
Riding on this popularity, the G90?which currently is only produced as a gasoline vehicle?is expected to further enhance its premium image by diversifying its powertrain lineup to include hybrid and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models, as well as expanding into coupe variants. At the Seoul Mobility Show in March, Genesis unveiled the "X Gran Coupe Concept" and "X Gran Convertible Concept" for the first time, which were evaluated as more developed versions compared to the "X Convertible Concept" revealed in 2023.
However, the Genesis G90 also faces challenges. Since the introduction of the "green license plate system" for corporate vehicles priced over 80 million won, including the Genesis G90 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in 2024, sales have declined. Last year, corporate sales of the Genesis G90 fell to 5,580 units, a 44.8% decrease from the previous year. Sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class also plummeted by 56.1% over the same period. Some voices argue that requiring all corporate vehicles to have green license plates is necessary to prevent the private misuse of corporate cars.
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