GENESIS BLACK: HOW THE ALL-BLACK TRIM CAME TO LIFE

SEOUL, Jan. 14, 2025 — An all-black trim is nothing new in today's ever-evolving auto industry. But when Genesis enters the picture, it takes on a whole new meaning. 

That's how Minhee Ryu, Youngju Oh and Hyesoo Kim approached the task when they were assigned to develop the blackout versions of the GV80 and the GV80 Coupe. 

Ryu joined as a Senior Designer with the Genesis CMF Team, Oh as a Senior Manager from the Genesis Brand Marketing Planning Team, and Kim as a Manager of the Genesis Product Planning Team. 

With four Genesis Black models now launched in Korea and plans underway for expansion into other markets, the trio is confident that the brand has successfully set itself apart from the league. 

Four Genesis Black models have been launched so far: the G90 Black, the GV80 Black, the GV80 Coupe Black and the G80 Black. How did the all-black trim come to life? 

Oh: When we first began planning the project, we reflected on what the color black means for the brand. This intrinsic question led us to examine our very name, Genesis, which means beginning and creation. Everything starts from black; black is the origin of everything. In this sense, we felt that both Genesis and black symbolize creation, and particularly a focus on essence. By blacking out all exterior and interior elements, we are showcasing the pinnacle of our brand identity, “Athletic Elegance.”

What makes Genesis Black different from the all-black trims of other brands? 

Kim: It’s all in the details. When you look at the all-black trims offered by other brands, you will notice they allow flexibility in some interior and exterior colors, which causes the black areas to stand out like accessories. In contrast, every element of a Genesis Black model, big or small, is uniformly black. Just pure black. This creates a harmonious blend that underscores black’s elegance. 

How small of a detail are we talking about here? 

Kim: Not just the Crest Grille, wheels, emblem, wood garnishes and door steps, but even the tiny buttons and switches were all developed as Genesis Black-exclusive details that required changes in our manufacturing methods. Even the Bang & Olufson logos on the speakers were made in a darker shade. 

Looking back, what was the hardest part of the development process? 

Ryu: Creating an all-black trim doesn’t mean we simply grabbed a paintbrush and colored everything in one stroke. We had to experiment with dozens of black variations for each material, carefully considering how they interact with light. We then tested how these materials looked in conjunction with other components and the overall ambiance they created. For example, when we were working on the Black Ash Real Wood Trim, we went through endless rounds of sampling processes to create the natural mix of black and wood patterns. We ultimately ended up applying a subtle brass color to the wood grain area to enhance the luxury feel of the wood while ensuring it matched with the surrounding elements. 

Kim: Considering how each vehicle contains tens of thousands of parts, changing just one — even its color — prompts a chain of questions we have to investigate and think through, like how they will affect operations on the factory line. 

Genesis Black also marks the first time the brand used recycled materials. How did that go? 

Ryu: As a brand, we’re all about finding interesting new materials that would elevate the driving experience. For Genesis Black, we used recycled materials and natural substances that require special manufacturing processes. For instance, the seats in Genesis Black models use carbon black powder extracted from discarded tires. Some of the dyes and oils used in the leather dyeing process have been replaced with pine bark and flaxseed oil. About 20 percent of the yarn used in the car floor carpets is made from recycled nylon derived from discarded fishing nets, while the floor mats incorporate modal fiber sourced from beechwood.

It's been about a year since the first Genesis Black model — the Genesis G90 Black — was released in Korea. How have customers responded so far? 

Kim: The G90, which was already popular in black, has become even more favored with the all-black theme. With the G90 Black, we aimed to attract a younger demographic compared to the traditional G90, and sales figures indicate we have successfully achieved this goal. 

Before we go, how do you hope customers will connect with Genesis Black? 

Oh: We hope our customers take pride in owning a Genesis Black. We want them to feel so connected to their vehicle that whenever they mention they drive a Genesis to their friends or family, they highlight one additional detail: that it’s a Genesis Black.