Genesis electric hatchback on the cards for 2023 – report

Genesis could be working on a new electric hatchback for buyers not keen on an SUV, according to a new – and so far unsubstantiated – overseas report.

Website The Korean Car Blog claims Genesis is developing a new "compact hatchback electric vehicle" codenamed 'JE', which would enter production as soon as July 2023, and launch in Korea that September.

The outlet says the "initial stage of development ... is almost complete", with prototypes reportedly set to hit the road "soon".

Few technical details of the new model are given, however it's implied it would be based on the Hyundai group's E-GMP battery-electric vehicle platform, which is "free to reduce or increase in size [so] design changes are easy", according to an insider quoted by the website.

The Korean Car Blog report has caught industry insiders off guard, as most manufacturers are abandoning small cars in favour of more profitable – and far more popular – compact SUVs, particularly with electric vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz EQA – which began life as a three-door electric hatchback concept – morphed into a small SUV upon reaching production, while reports last year suggested plans for an electric BMW 1 Series hatch were put on hold due to low market appeal.

Genesis teased its future hydrogen and electric vehicle (EV) line-up late last year – but notably absent was a hatchback of any kind, with three sedans, a coupe-like vehicle and four SUVs seen in its place.

This eight-model EV range has since been trimmed back to six models "by 2030", comprised of four SUVs and only two passenger cars. It remains to be seen if these two vehicles are sedans, wagons, coupes, or include a smaller hatchback.

If launched, the Genesis 'JE' electric hatch – which could wear the 'G60' nameplate, denoting its place below the G70 sedan – would have few rivals among luxury brands, given the aforementioned market swing towards SUVs.

The next Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3 are slated to switch to electric propulsion, though these aren't due until 2025 and 2027 respectively.

The rumoured Genesis 'JE' would sit in showrooms alongside the Electrified G80 EV sedan, plus the GV60 and Electrified GV70 electric SUVs.

While the Korean Car Blog references a "GV80 electric model", it's more likely this is referring to the upcoming GV90, a flagship electric SUV rumoured for 2023 as a twin to the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 seven-seaters.

Genesis has toyed with the idea of an electric small car before, with 2019's Mint concept (pictured throughout) – though its styling cues were adapted to form the high-riding, five-door GV60.