Hyundai Genesis EQ900 is finalist in car of year award

Hyundai Motor’s EQ900, the G90 in the North American car market, is displayed above. The model was named as one of three finalists for the North American Car of the Year award. The final winning selection is expected to be made at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Jhoo Dong-chan

The 2017 Genesis EQ900, the G90 in the North American car market, was named as one of three finalists for the North American Car of the Year (NACOY) award, given out at a news conference each January during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The other two finalist models are the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt and the 2017 Volvo S90.

It was the fifth of its kind for a Hyundai Motor vehicle to be named as a finalist for the award following the 2009 Genesis BH, the 2011 Sonata, the 2012 Elantra and the 2015 Genesis DH.

Of them, the Genesis BH won in 2009 and the Elantra sedan in 2012.

Hyundai Motor’s mission to win the NACOY with the EQ900 sedan is expected to be a tough battle, especially as the Chevrolet Bolt, the world’s first long-range mass-production electric vehicle (EV), boasts a long range of over 380 kilometers on a single battery charge, while the Volvo S90 is the resurgent Swedish brand's top-rung model with a sleek Scandinavian interior, innovative power train and cutting-edge safety features.

“The nomination as NACOY finalist is a very meaningful achievement. We expect it will boost Hyundai Motor’s sales in the North American car market,” a Hyundai Motor official said.

“The Genesis BH’s 2009 win contributed greatly to reviving its reputation for top quality and making inroads into the North American market. We are looking forward to seeing the same next January.”

Earlier this year, the Genesis EQ900 also won Korea’s Car of the Year, an annual award given by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association.