Hyundai partners with Prada to produce special edition Genesis Sedans
11/12/2008, 12:57 PM
By Drew Johnson
Hyundai isn’t synonymous with luxury just yet, but the Korean automaker is working hard shake its econo-box roots in favor of a more premium brand image. Over the past several months Hyundai has launched the up-level Genesis Sedan and Coupe, and has now announced a partnership with one of the world’s foremost fashion icons.
Hyundai will team up with Prada to produce three special editions of the Genesis Sedan. The first product of the collaboration will be on display at next year’s Seoul Motor Show before moving to a permanent display at Hyundai’s Korean headquarters.
The other two Prada-edition Genesis Sedans will be auctioned off at the Prada Transformer – a temporary building that will be used to showcase art, cinema and other fashion items – with all proceeds going to charity.
“We’ve made a name for ourselves as a quality automaker, and are now focusing on raising our brand image,” said Hyundai sales chief James Choi. “We are extremely delighted that Prada, one of the best and most innovative luxury goods brands, has agreed to work with us and infuse their creative energy into our products.”
No word on how much the bidding will start at, be we suspect the Prada-edition Genesis Sedans will command a hefty premium over their standard-issue counterparts.



11/12, 1:11 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
And in one fell swoop, the Genesis has gone from being interesting to being ghey. Prada? Guess the Genesis was targeted at chicks afterall.
11/12, 1:12 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I hope it comes with matching handbag so if the owner is a man he can put his balls somewhere…
11/12, 1:26 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
I think Hyundai branded this vehicle completely wrong. They should have called it the Genesis by Hyundai and or just made an entirely new division all together.
I’ve seen two Genesis sedans on the road and at night it looks like a BMW which is good but in the daytime it’s a Frankenstein car and the Hyundai symbol on the trunk isn’t helping
I haven’t been to the dealer yet but they may want to put the Genesis in a separate part of the dealership or dress the surroundings of the car better than the other Hyundai’s to differentiate it from the rest of the lineup
The Oldsmobile Aurora never had an Oldsmobile or a GM badge on it. It was still a POS but at least it fooled some idiots into thinking it was Japanese.
11/12, 1:34 PM
posted by:
TomF
I doubt Hyundai set out to feminize the Genesis brand, but no normal man wants anything to do with Prada. This could be a semi-typical misreading by Asian product planners of Western brand attributes and associations.
11/12, 1:44 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
TOF, Don’t be dissing on the Aurora. That was a good car for the money. By that I mean you could buy a used one, like a ‘97 in ‘98 for less than half it’s sticker price. I bought a ‘97 in ‘98 for $18,000. I hope this Hyundai will have that kind of resale, then it is a real bargain!
11/12, 1:45 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
This is like putting a Royal Doulton label on your Royal Chinet.
11/12, 2:05 PM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Pointless, but where is DrMouthFilledWithCum to voice his opinion??
All these special editions with people like Prada are ridiculous anyway.
11/12, 2:21 PM
posted by:
Fromes
kinda reminds me of the Gucci caddy they came out with in the 80s….
11/12, 3:02 PM
posted by:
pzimet
mayer_ray_nagin: You don’t think Prada, Versace, Armani, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc do not manufacture, and market, plenty of masculine products for straight males? Damn you’re ignorant.
11/12, 3:20 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
I’m more impressed with Lexicon audio, but still, between Lexicon and Prada, Hyundai must be spending a fortune on these marketing arrangements. It’s the only way these companies would be willing to risk their brand equity with Hyundai.
11/12, 3:24 PM
posted by:
Borat
I get it: this is for left handed man. it is a small market, bu they are not known to know much about cars. Being creative bunch, they have coins. I wonder if Nathan Lane will be driving one soon.
11/12, 3:44 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
pzimet – Armani and Boss, yet. The rest are ghey.
11/12, 3:44 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
…. yes.
typo
11/12, 4:05 PM
posted by:
Borat
Prada, Versace, Armani, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc do not manufacture for straight man. Another side of equation, that those straight man not realizing that they are very, very gay.
11/12, 4:17 PM
posted by:
pav8581
Now I don’t wanna start anything on here, but is there a problem if they are trying to go out for the women or… more effeminate males here? The care is sexy and the car is mildly powerful, there are only three models that are Prada certified, why not take a stab at the higher end with a fashion name?
11/12, 5:19 PM
posted by:
Fromes
straight men dont wear those designer names? you prob just think that because you have never seen them for sale in wal mart
11/12, 5:41 PM
posted by:
A4
this car sucks enough already
11/12, 6:35 PM
posted by:
Borat
Straight men and designer names, does not roll of the tongue as easily as fags in drag. Or fags in Prada, yeah, that’s better…….
11/12, 8:51 PM
posted by:
DrFill
I’m still waiting for the edition that people actually buy
When does that one come out?
DrFill
11/12, 10:40 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
damn i feel sorry for the guy whose wife demands this car and has to drive it when his car is in the shop. imagine the faces of the guys at AutoZone when they see that shyt in their parking lot…
11/13, 5:05 AM
posted by:
Rover3500
Once again triple one fukhead shows his bias. The Aurora was not a piece of **** and was a stunning car in its day and very unique, unlike the genesis. I really don’t get why so many Americans are jacking off to this very very mundane hyundai. Its a generic Sedan that advances the art of car design not one iota! Its just such a nothing car. Seriously, there are 100 cars I would have before I had this.
11/13, 8:32 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
**** the Genesis
11/13, 9:35 AM
posted by:
DCG3
Its still just a hyundai. so its still a econo box pile of ****…..
11/13, 12:25 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
At first glance, you’re thinking “whipped cream on a hot dog,” but it looks like part of a gradual strategy to take Hyundai upscale.
11/13, 12:58 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
so the Versace Lamborghinis, you (straight men supposedly) wouldn’t drive? prada, gucci, etc. all make stuff for straight men, as if straight men are any different than gay men anyways except on where they put their private parts where… which should be kept private anyways seeing as how they are one’s “privates”… what about david beckham for Georgio Armani? he’s straight obviously with the most beautiful wife and great looking kids. get real guys. grow up. good for hyundai.
11/14, 12:49 PM
posted by:
hyundaifans.com
Wow. Their are some real Hyundai haters on here. Turkey has this right. Hyundai is moving upscale. Senior management already talked about this. Looks like Kia will be their “Toyota” while Hyundai will be their “Lexus”.
11/17, 1:03 AM
posted by:
wrbwrxmax
Certainly, some designers do target various demographics, but stuff like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, etc, are totally normal menswear like you’d find in the men’s section of Macy’s or wherever. Prada makes some totally manly stuff, too… how can you call carbon fiber glasses gay? More like f*king badarse!
As for the main subject, though… I’m more worried about Prada turning Korean, than gay. First LG phones, and now a Hyundai? Not exactly what I’d do if I were trying to maintain brand image as an upscale European brand, I’d think Nokia and BMW would be a bit more sensible.
11/25, 10:13 AM
posted by:
Sal Collaziano
Prada.. I know.. It’s a bit feminine.. But when all is said and done, it’s about marketing.. That’s what the whole deal is about.. It hasn’t stopped anyone at http://genesisowners.com from buying the sedan. It’s an upscale name – and that’s the bottom line…
Sal C.