G. David Felt

Today at the New York International Auto Show, Genesis unveiled the Genesis X Gran Equator Concept. A imagining of the "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy while embracing the rugged over-landing experience. Genesis has stated that this is a harmonizing contrast of elegance with ruggedness, refined comfort while embracing the spirit of exploration. Quoting Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer for Genesis, “It represents the orchestration of true off-road competence and uncompromising luxury, designed to enable the discovery of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.” Defying traditional SUV looks, the X Gran Equator Concept delivers clean lines on an uncluttered surface. A long hood, sleek cabin, and fast C-pillar create a silhouette that defies traditional SUV conventions, while dark wheel-arch cladding and 24-inch bead lock wheels underscore its off-road readiness. The geometric auxiliary lamps and split-opening tailgate blend practicality with Genesis’ signature Two-Line headlamps, ensuring the X Gran Equator is as purposeful as it is striking. Orchestrating contrast between analog architecture and digital technologies, crafting a space that feels both functional and evocative. At the center of the cabin is a four-circle display cluster on the center stack, inspired by the dials of vintage cameras. The interior design features contrasting colors and shapes, with a preference for geometric over organic elements. The dashboard's linear architecture and absence of decorations focus the driver's attention on the journey ahead, while swiveling front seats and modular storage solutions enhance practicality. A symbol of endurance, agility, and refined power is what Genesis has stated they delivered in the name Equator, widely recognized as the "finest stallion" in the world of Arabian horses. This concept is an expansion of the Genesis lifestyle-oriented vehicles, balancing versatility with sophistication. The design language and innovative features, such as integrated roof rails, split-opening tailgate, showcases the future design potential of Genesis as it takes on the luxury brands of the world. Genesis has not confirmed production but will be paying attention to consumer feedback as this concept travels the auto show circuit. View full article

That interior will get dirty so fast, pass on the white!

This will do very well in the PNW even as the PNW goes heavy with EVs, this is such a popular brand here.

It is interesting to see how the picture angle can change the look. Head on, your right ugly, but from an angle much better as I posted current year versus new year models. I like the new better than the old without all that awful black plastic.

Very cool to see a design that does not just show it to be a badge copy of Toyota. Be interesting to see what folks think of this new style of Nose. 2025 first and the newly anounced 2026 model. At least with the charge port on the front Passenger fender now rather than the Drivers side, it will make it easy to pull into a Tesla Charging spot and reach with their shorter charge cables.

Yes, Globally their family of Brands has seen double digit fall due to poor quality, old tech, etc. Will be interesting to see what brands they cut from the U.S. as I can see them closing the Chrysler lineup as well as Masarati and Alfa Romeo. Now that we have 245% tariff on all things Chinese, that is going to hurt the auto industry even more. https://www.newsweek.com/china-245-trump-tariff-2060295

Excited to have this in the market as an alternative to the Tesla 3. Not a fan of the coupe sedan look. One area that I feel is a let down is the 400V system used on this rather than the original 800V system that is found in the higher level trims. Kia should had led with having this a fast 18 min 800V charge to 80% imho. Interior I am happy with, spacious.

Very Cool, Seems Kia has released a teaser of their press release for tomorrow. 10am EST or 7am PST will be an exciting time. Kia Global Media Center : Kia America Returns to the New York International Auto Show

Today's news covers that #47 has signed off on the GOP plan to push his 2017 Billionaire tax cuts through by bringing back the 40% tax bracket on Singled making over $650,000 or couples making over $750,000 taxing the millionaires to give the Billionaires a continued tax break. The reason for bringing this up is that a large number of Millionaires are owners of dealerships and already some are saying they could see closing dealerships, example Chrysler dealerships. On top of this is a number of recent videos talking about used autos not selling at auction and dealerships seeing a big decline in used auto sales. Much of this brought on by very crazy low lease rates on EVs, hybrids with ICE being the most expensive. Now you have Tariffs, and the auto industry is a total mess. As such, I agree with folks here that we will see some name brands close, this tariff war is going to force companies to look and cut brands that are not profitable.

Agree that this whole Tariff mess will take out those that are already on deaths door. This I suspect could clean out a few of the early name plates. Sad that so many billions was wasted by an idiot CEO trying to rebuild a dead industry in Italy with trying to bring back poorly built name plates. Alfa Romeo, Maserati should have never been invested in. But that can now be said for more American name plates too. Time to let Chrysler die with dignity. In my humble opinion Buick other than China should just be put into the history books. GM = Entry level Chevrolet - Mid level GMC and luxury Cadillac. We still have an overabundance on name plates globally.

Seems first sneek preview is here: Slate's $25,000 Electric Truck Will Be A 'Disruptor' Preview of a portion of the truck to Newsweek. Spotted: The Jeff Bezos $25,000 Pickup From Slate Auto

R.I.P. to the affordable sports car, but also to young people being able to afford an auto period! 😒 Tariffs led to the Great depression, now another less than intelligent person is destroying this country. Amazing how after 6 bankruptcies, people still felt #47 was a good choice to lead this great democracy. America is a Great Country, never fell down except in the dementia minds of the boomers who want to live in the 50's/60's again.

I disagree with the whole coupe thing. Coupe SUVs will not drive sales, right now they are dying on the vine and I am surprised even Genesis brought out a coupe and it is not selling. I back up that Coupes sell very little in that no one breaks out there sales, not even Genesis. https://carfigures.com/us-market-brand/genesis/gv80

This is so true, there is no way we will ever go back to the 1980's or early 1990's of assembly line jobs. Even if part makers and complete auto assembly lines come into the U.S. they will be heavily roboticized and as such, you will need educated repair people for the robots, but the days of so much human manual work is over. Trump says free trade killed American auto jobs. That’s not the whole story

I was surprised by it also, but Kia has stated that is the number they believe they will be able to sell here.