Hyundai Reveals Plans for Ioniq 9

SAUDI ARABIA : Hyundai has officially announced the upcoming launch of the Ioniq 9, a new electric three-row SUV. This will be a significant addition to the EV lineup of Hyundai, and will be manufactured at the Metaplant in Georgia, alongside the Ioniq 5.

 

• The Ioniq 9 will be completely based on Concept Seven, which was introduced for the first time in 2021.

• The Ioniq 9 EV will be manufactured alongside the Ioniq 5 at the Metaplant in Georgia.

 

This move from Hyundai reflects its commitment to expanding its presence in the competitive EV market. While other automakers adopt a more cautious stance due to fluctuating demand for electric vehicles, Hyundai demonstrates its motives to venture deeper into the industry.

The Ioniq 9 will be completely based on Concept Seven, which Hyundai first introduced in 2021. This concept is built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the same architecture present in other models in the UV lineup of the brand. This includes the Ioniq 6, Ioniq 5, Kia EV9, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60.

Hyundai Motor President and CEO Jae Hoon Chang confirmed that the production version of the Ioniq 9 will make its debut later this year at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This launch reflects Hyundai’s strategy to meet the growing demand for EVs, particularly in the three-row SUV segment which is gaining popularity.

As part of its broader strategy, Hyundai also plans to expand its hybrid vehicles. Its vision is to address the current shortage of hybrids in North America. This approach will cater to the increasing consumer demand in the US, where the shift to full EVs has been slower than expected.

In response to this trend, Hyundai is developing EREVs (Extended Range Electric Vehicles). These are battery-powered EVs that come with a gas engine. It will be used solely for recharging the battery but not for driving the wheels.

With competitors like Ford moving toward hybrid setups, brands like Hyundai and Kia are positioning themselves to dominate the mainstream three-row EV market. Particularly, the aggressive EV sales of Hyundai across the globe reflect its commitment to leading the EV revolution, although it encounters several challenges in the market.

 The production of the Ioniq 9 at the Georgia Metaplant is a crucial step for Hyundai to increase its share in the US market. Given that the electric three-row SUVs are a growing market, the Ioniq 9 is likely to shape the success of Hyundai in the automotive industry.