photo courtesy of Genesis of Lafayette

Finally, a stand-alone Genesis dealership has opened in the U.S.. The automaker has and continues to work towards an identity not linked to Hyundai, and buyers can now receive the full Genesis dealership experience.

Since Genesis’ release (over a decade ago), in order to buy a Genesis you had to visit a Hyundai dealer. At long last, that time is coming to an end.

Last month, Genesis opened its first stand-alone store in Lafayette, Louisiana and dubbed it Genesis of Lafayette. This dealership is just the beginning of Genesis stand-alone locations across the country.

By the end of the year, two more locations will be opened by the end of the year: a dealership in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and a permanent location in Santa Monica, California, to replace the temporary location already operating there.

Apart from the two locations set to be finished by 2023, Genesis also is pursuing the construction of six more locations in the United States- with an additional 20 in the planning stages. With the creation of stand-alone Genesis dealers popping up across the country, the company settles even further into its spot among luxury elite automotive brands.

Genesis was born as an element of Hyundai’s line-up in 2004: when the Hyundai Genesis was released. The model was the crown jewel of Hyundai until the Equus arrived a short time later. The Genesis and the Equus were christened as the automaker’s luxury products until 2015, when Hyundai decided to spin off Genesis as its own luxury brand, which came to the U.S. in 2016.

To mark Genesis’ independence, the Hyundai Genesis became the Genesis G80. While the U.S. launch of Genesis did not necessarily make a huge splash in the market, it did garner a great deal of critical acclaim for its exterior design and technologically advanced interiors and systems.

The G80 was followed by the G90. Next came the G70, which won the North American Car of the Year award in 2019. In 2009, the Hyundai Genesis was honored as the Car of the Year, while the Genesis G80 was a finalist in 2021.

With the introduction of its two SUVs, the GV80 and GV70 Genesis has continued to attract positive attention. The two new SUV crossovers were honored as finalists for the Utility of the Year award in both 2021 and 2022. Presently, Genesis is embracing the future with the new GV60- a small battery-electric crossover. The anticipated GV60 is forecasted to show up in dealerships- both stand-alone and jointly owned- sometime later this year.

Joining the previously mentioned locations, Genesis stores are planned to be built in Greer, South Carolina; Cerritos and Corona, California; and more. With so many locations opening, we still want to take this time to shine light on Genesis’ first stand-alone store in the United States: Genesis of Lafayette. Said location is owned and operated by Sterling Automotive Group and dealer principal Arthur C. LeBlanc Jr.

The Lafayette location features unmistakable brand elements, a transparent and open floor plan, an indoor vehicle delivery area, and infrastructure to support the upcoming set of electric Genesis models. Additionally, customers and buyers are welcomed into an all-new showroom of award-winning Genesis vehicles.

Reflecting the luxury vehicles being shown, unique design elements are on full display in the first stand-alone Genesis location. For example, a private brand cube offers a peaceful environment, where clients can review material samples, vehicle specifications and more. Genesis of Lafayette is owned and operated by Sterling Automotive Group and dealer principal Arthur C. LeBlanc Jr.

“We are glad to partner with Arthur LeBlanc and Sterling Automotive Group on our first standalone retail facility in the United States”, announced Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “I want to extend my thanks to the entire Sterling Automotive Group for creating a space beautifully designed and so befitting of our remarkable products.”

No matter how many locations open up across the country, Genesis of Lafayette will continue to be an extremely important dealership and a beacon of light for the brand, as it marks the true independence of Genesis, and serves as the ideal model for future Genesis stores. If you are looking to buy a Genesis a little closer to home, contact Genesis of Edmond today with any questions or inquiries you have by calling us at 877-495-2032, or stopping by our dealership at 14137 N. Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73013.