The Genesis brand's top luxury sedan, the G90?famously known as the 'Chairman's Car'?has once again surpassed the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in cumulative sales this year, taking the lead in corporate car sales for vehicles priced over 80 million won.

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On June 28, the CarIsYou Data Research Institute announced that among new corporate vehicles registered at over 80 million won, the Genesis G90 sold 2,494 units from January to May this year. This is more than double the 1,187 units sold of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The G90 had already overtaken the S-Class in corporate car sales over 80 million won during 2023 and 2024, and it continues to outpace Mercedes-Benz from the beginning of this year.

The Genesis G90 is widely recognized as the 'Chairman's Car.' This nickname was earned as the heads of major domestic conglomerates are often seen arriving in G90s at official events. In 2022, when Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia visited Korea, the heads of major Korean groups attended a tea meeting with him, including Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics; Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Solutions; Chung Ki-sun, president of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group; Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; and Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group?all of whom arrived in Genesis G90s. Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, is also known to use the G90 as his official vehicle.

The Genesis G90 is famously known as the so-called 'Chairman's Car.' This nickname was earned as the heads of major domestic conglomerates are often seen arriving in G90s at official events.

When Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia visited Korea in 2022, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; and Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, all appeared riding in the Genesis G90.

Riding on this popularity, the G90, which currently only produces gasoline vehicles, plans to diversify its powertrain with hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles (EREV), as well as enhance its premium image with coupe models.

Riding on this popularity, the G90?which currently only produces gasoline vehicles?plans to diversify its powertrains with hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles (EREV), as well as further enhance its premium image with coupe models. At the Seoul Mobility Show in March, Genesis unveiled the 'X Gran Coupe Concept' and the 'X Gran Convertible Concept' for the first time. These models were evaluated as being more fully realized than the 'X Convertible Concept' revealed in 2023.

However, the Genesis G90 also faces challenges. Since the introduction of the 'green license plate system' for corporate cars over 80 million won, including the Genesis G90 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in 2024, sales have been declining. Last year, corporate sales of the Genesis G90 dropped to 5,580 units, a 44.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class also saw its sales plummet by 56.1% during the same period. Some argue that requiring all corporate vehicles to have green license plates is necessary to prevent the private misuse of corporate cars.