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Hyundai Motor launches Ioniq EV lineup in China, unveils two concept cars

Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 16:09 Updated: 10 Apr. 2026, 16:46

Hyundai Motor unveiled two concept vehicles, the Venus and the Earth, as it announced the launch of its Ioniq EV lineup in the Chinese market on Friday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor launched its Ioniq EV lineup in China by unveiling two new concepts on Friday.

The Venus and Earth concepts mark the Korean company’s first move to regain market share in the country, which last year overtook Japan as the world’s top auto seller.

The company plans to reveal the design and specifications of mass production models tailored for the Chinese market at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, also known as Auto China, later this month.

Hyundai's China-tailored Ioniq lineup will incorporate autonomous driving technology developed in partnership with local company Momenta, according to the company.

Hyundai also plans to introduce its first extended-range electric vehicles in China, designed with the country’s charging infrastructure and long-distance driving environment in mind.

Hyundai’s renewed push into China reflects a broader effort to reclaim ground in what it considers the epicenter of the global EV market.

The automaker’s market share in China exceeded 6 percent in the 2010s, but has since fallen sharply — to around 1 percent — amid setbacks including Beijing’s unofficial restrictions on Korean businesses following Seoul’s decision to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, antimissile system on its territory.

An art installation representing the design concept for the China-specific Ioniq EV lineup is displayed outside the Hyundai Motorstudio in Beijing. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor’s local joint venture, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company, operates three production plants in the country.

Despite having the largest annual production capacity among Hyundai Motor’s plants worldwide at 1.66 million units, the company’s operations in China have struggled.

Last year, utilization stood at just 26.47 percent, with Hyundai Motor producing 196,306 vehicles and Kia 243,025 units.

In a bid to reverse the downturn, Hyundai and its Chinese partner, BAIC, began investing 1.6 trillion won ($1.1 billion) in January 2024 to expand into the EV segment.

The newly unveiled Ioniq models mark the first outcome of that effort.

Hyundai Motor CEO José Muñoz said the company plans to “launch 20 new models in China over the next five years” at a shareholder meeting last month.

Tesla, meanwhile, is preparing to introduce a smaller, more affordable SUV aimed at the Chinese market, Reuters reported Wednesday.

The new model is expected to be 510 millimeters (20 inches) shorter than the midsize Model Y and about half a ton lighter, achieved in part by reducing battery capacity.

Pricing is likely to come in below the Model 3, currently Tesla’s cheapest sedan in China at around $34,000. Production is expected to take place at the company’s Shanghai factory.

The push comes as Chinese EV makers face slowing domestic demand.
EV sales in China — including plug-in hybrids — fell 23.2 percent on year in January and February to 1.149 million units, according to market analysis company SNE Research.

Global sales by Chinese automakers have also declined recently.

Market leader BYD saw sales drop 35.6 percent to 302,000 units, while second-ranked Geely reported a 12 percent decline to 253,000 units over the same period.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KO SUK-HYUN [[email protected]]