Genesis' sales were up 75 percent in the first two months of this year compared to the first two months of last year, almost entirely thanks to the success of the brand's first SUV, the GV80. And, awkwardly, the recent high-profile crash suffered (and survived) by Tiger Woods in a GV80 may have helped finally make Genesis a household name.
In the two days after the crash, traffic to Car and Driver's GV80 page was up more than 850 percent versus the previous week.
Benson says GV80 sales skyrocketed in the week after Woods' accident, with some business from customers who were hearing about the brand for the first time. "We more than doubled our month in that last week" of February he says, which propelled Genesis of Bend to its best sales month ever. When we talked to him in mid-March, interest was still high.





Yahoo is now a part of Verizon Media
In a news conference Wednesday, law enforcement said that data recordings from the car show that Woods did not brake prior to the accident but did press on the accelerator at a "99 percent" rate. Lomita Captain James Powers said investigators believe Woods accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake. The final estimated speed when Woods' vehicle struck a tree was 75 mph.
Stepped on the gas thinking it was break pedal
Hit a tree going 75 mph
He's lucky he's alive
His comeback is gonna be legendary![]()



Stepped on the gas at a 99% rate. Going 87 miles per hour in a 45 zone, hit a tree going 75 miles per hour and this c00n didnt get a ticket??Yahoo is now a part of Verizon Media
In a news conference Wednesday, law enforcement said that data recordings from the car show that Woods did not brake prior to the accident but did press on the accelerator at a "99 percent" rate. Lomita Captain James Powers said investigators believe Woods accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake. The final estimated speed when Woods' vehicle struck a tree was 75 mph.
Stepped on the gas thinking it was break pedal
Hit a tree going 75 mph
He's lucky he's alive
His comeback is gonna be legendary![]()