The keywords for new cars from Hyundai Motor and Kia next year are summarized as 'medium to large electric vehicles' and 'next-generation hybrids.' While they introduced relatively small and affordable new models in the latter half of this year to reverse the stagnation in the electric vehicle market, next year they are preparing large, high-performance eco-friendly vehicles. There is interest in whether the popularity of hybrids, which recorded the highest sales ever this year, will continue into next year.
According to the industry on the 29th, Hyundai Motor will launch the Ioniq 9, which was unveiled last month at the Los Angeles (LA) Auto Show, in the domestic market in the first quarter of next year. It will be sequentially marketed in the U.S. and Europe as well. The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai's first large electric Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and can travel up to 532 km on a full charge (based on Hyundai Motor's testing). It is a large vehicle with a body length of over 5 meters.
Kia is set to officially introduce the purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) it has been promoting as a key future strategy. PBVs are 'multi-purpose, low-volume production vehicles.' The distinctive feature is that all seating apart from the driver's seat and various storage spaces can be freely rearranged, allowing for customization to meet consumer needs, similar to commercial vehicles or delivery trucks. Kia plans to target the electric commercial vehicle market through its first mid-size PBV, the PV5. In October, it also entered into a supply contract with DHL Korea.
Kia is also focusing on expanding its lineup of affordable electric vehicles. It will launch the EV5, a compact electric SUV that has been produced and sold in China and South America. The EV5 was previously sold for under 30 million won in China. Kia plans to also unveil the compact sedan EV4. It is a hatchback, which is a lower class than the compact SUV EV6. Considering that the EV3 is in the mid-30 million won range, the selling price is expected to be between 40 million and 50 million won (when receiving subsidies). Hyundai Motor will also release a modified model of the mid-size sedan Ioniq 6, which is an affordable electric vehicle.
An official from the finished vehicle industry noted, 'If we introduced a small electric vehicle this year to promote popularity, there seems to be a plan to complete the electrification lineup next year with medium to large electric vehicles.' He added, 'The goal is to increase consumer choice through electric vehicles of different classes, which is expected to boost sales.'
The industry anticipates that the popularity of hybrid cars, which are recording the highest sales ever this year, will continue into next year. Hyundai Motor Group plans to unveil a next-generation hybrid system, TMED-2, which has evolved from the first-generation hybrid system TMED-1 used for over a decade. The large SUV Palisade is expected to be the first model to adopt this system. Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand TMED-2 to Kia's Sorento, Hyundai's Tucson, and Santa Fe. TMED-2 boasts better performance, including fuel efficiency, compared to its predecessor.