Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun visited a production site in Türkiye to check the Ioniq 3, which will target the European electric vehicle market. As the small electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV) will debut in Europe in the second half, the move is seen as a bid to inspect it in person.
According to Hyundai Motor Group, Chung visited the Türkiye plant of Hyundai Motor(005380) in Izmit near Istanbul on the 30th of last month (local time). After closely examining the process from Ioniq 3 body production to the assembly line and urging thorough quality checks, he discussed local production and sales strategies with executives and employees.
At the site, Chung said, "From the start of mass production, we must put quality first and enhance market competitiveness with a level of completion that exceeds customer expectations," and added, "On safety, we must ensure it is recognized as the best car in Europe." He then also visited the battery plant of Hyundai Mobis(012330). The Ioniq 3 is equipped with Hyundai Mobis' battery system.
Chung's direct visit to the Ioniq 3 production site is seen as reflecting that it is a key product for Europe. The B-segment (small), the class of the Ioniq 3, is a fiercely competitive field in Europe. It accounts for 15% of total demand in the European auto market. The share of EVs in this market is currently around 14% but is forecast to rise to 33% in 2030 and 65% in 2035.
Major European players such as Volkswagen had rushed to launch B-segment EVs. But Hyundai Motor, which lacked a B-segment EV, is aiming for a rebound with the Ioniq 3. The Ioniq 3 will begin mass production in mid-month and will be rolled out sequentially across European countries from the second half. Hyundai Motor aims to break into the upper ranks of EV sales with the Ioniq 3. The EV lineup will expand to include the Inster (Korean name Casper Electric), Kona Electric, and Ioniq 5, 6, 9, plus the Ioniq 3.
The Ioniq 3 features an "aero hatch" design that balances aerodynamic efficiency and interior space, and Europe-tuned driving performance based on the E-GMP platform. For the first time among Hyundai Motor models sold in Europe, it comes with the next-generation infotainment system Pleos Connect, and it also includes the latest SmartSense driver-assistance system. Hyundai Motor has set a goal of selling more than 40,000 units a year starting next year.
It is also meaningful that the Türkiye plant is making its first attempt at EV production. Established in 1997 to target Europe, the Türkiye plant is Hyundai Motor's oldest overseas production base. Starting with the Accent, it has produced Europe-focused strategic models such as the Grace, Starex, Matrix, and i10, and now the i20 and Bayon, with cumulative output reaching about 3.4 million units.
Starting with the Ioniq 3, the Hyundai Motor Türkiye plant is expected to be used as a forward base to target the European market. In 2013, the Türkiye plant established an annual production capacity of 200,000 units. Chung told executives and employees, "Based on the achievements of the past 30 years, we must change how we work to match the changes of a new era," and added, "We must pursue innovation and strengthen competitiveness so we can become the best corporations in Türkiye across all institutional sector—production, quality, and sales."
Meanwhile, since entering Türkiye, Hyundai Motor Group has continued social contribution activities such as the Korea Park improvement project in the capital Ankara. The park was created in 1973 to honor the sacrifices of Turkish soldiers who fought in the Korean War, and in 2023, at Chung's suggestion, improvements such as the construction of the octagonal pavilion "Friendship House" were carried out.