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Europe to get next Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai is preparing to make a rather bold move with its Genesis, as reports are now stating that the next-generation rear-drive sedan, which we showed you earlier this week, will be sold in Europe. The first-generation of the Genesis sedan never crossed the pond.
The 2015 Genesis will enter the traditional stomping grounds of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi armed with the same 3.8-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 found in the current model. All-wheel drive, a first for the model, will also be available in Europe. "We have to overcome the challenge of competing with established European brands. We expect the Genesis to play a crucial role in improving our brand recognition," Hyundai said in a statement.
Hyundai has done a fair job of changing its image in the US from a budget-minded brand into a legitimate, mainstream competitor that covers a broad swath of the American market, offering cars from the $14,545 Accent to the $61,000 Equus. That movement started in earnest with the Genesis, and it looks like Hyundai is determined to repeat that models success in Europe.

Volvo EX30 dropped from 2024 NACTOY contention due to model year cutoff

The North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year jury announced Tuesday that the Volvo EX30 has been dropped as a finalist for the 2024 Utility of the Year award because it will not be sold to customers in 2023. As it had made it all the way to the final round before Volvo informed the jury that the car would not be available, the EX30 had to be replaced with another contender. The NACTOY board selected the 2024 Hyundai Kona/Kona Electric to fill its slot.  In fact, the EX30 was never intended to be delivered in 2023, a Volvo spokesperson confirmed to Autoblog. "The original plan had us scheduled to open order books [in November], but because we are always evaluating our production timelines and volumes, and make adjustments according to a variety of inputs, we changed that to be not before January," he said.  The other finalists for all three categories remain unchanged. The full list follows.  Car category: Honda Accord, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Toyota Prius Truck category: Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford Super Duty Utility category: Genesis Electrified GV70, Kia EV9, Hyundai Kona/Kona Electric The finalists were chosen from a list of 25, which was previously narrowed down from a comprehensive roster of all vehicles that are new or updated for the 2024 model year — a total of 52 eligible vehicles. Notably absent from the list of finalists were the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, Toyota GR Corolla, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander, among others. The 2024 winners will be announced in January. Autoblog Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is member of the NACTOY jury. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan UK battery plant, Hyundai EV/FCEV station

Hyundai has opened a joint hydrogen fueling/EV charging station in South Korea. Called a "Fusion" station, it allows customers to take advantage of both types of alternative energy Hyundai uses for its vehicles. The station in Gwangju began as a hydrogen station, and EV charging capability was added recently. While users will have in common the use of green energy to power their vehicles, it will be interesting to see if spontaneous debates erupt between drivers over the merits of the two alternative powertrains. Hyundai will now use the hydrogen fueling part of the station to study fuel usage. Read more at Inside EVs. EV charging company EverCharge is teaming up with Schneider Electric to provide charging infrastructure to multi-tenant buildings. Because of the limited electricity for buildings like apartments, condominiums and offices – as well as the fact that multiple occupants often share power – installing charging at such locations has been challenging. EverCharge's SmartPower technology senses excess or limited power supply, and uses it to charge multiple vehicles accordingly. The groups will use this technology along with Schneider Electric's EVlink Home EV Charger to provide charging services at these otherwise difficult locations. Read more at Green Car Congress, or at the EverCharge blog. Nissan will build fourth-generation lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf at its plant in Sunderland, England. The announcement comes amidst rumors of the automaker outsourcing battery production. The decision means that Nissan's $37.5 million investment will preserve 300 jobs at the plant. The factory currently manufactures second-generation, 24-kW Leaf and e-NV200 batteries, and imports the third-generation, 30-kW Leaf battery from Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. "Today's announcement reflects Nissan's intention to remain EV leaders for many years to come, with our European operations at the heart of our future innovations," says Nissan Europe Chairman Paul Willcox. Read more at Automotive News Europe, and in the press release below.