Hyundai Motor Group in test run of dedicated EV plant in Korea
Jin-Won Kim
Feb 21, 2024 (Gmt+09:00)
Hyundai Motor Group, the world’s No. 3 automaker, started a test operation of the first dedicated electric vehicle factory in South Korea to accelerate its electrification push despite the recent slowdown in the clean vehicle industry.
Kia Corp., the group’s automaking unit, has recently commenced the test run of the No. 2 plant in Gwangmyeong, near the capital Seoul, to produce its low-cost compact electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) EV3, according to industry sources on Wednesday.
The country’s second-largest carmaker shut the No. 2 plant in Kia’s Autoland Gwangmyeong in June last year to revamp it as a dedicated EV factory. The company reportedly manufactured some parts at the EV3 production line after completing the renovation works at the end of last year.
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun reiterated the group’s electrification ambitions at the plant in his New Year speech.
The leading South Korean carmaker is also expected to start mass production in 2026 at the upcoming EV factory in Ulsan. The plant will manufacture premium Genesis models and large SUVs.
In addition, Hyundai Motor Group opened a future urban mobility hub in Singapore to innovate its mobility research & development, manufacturing and business practices. The group is manufacturing self-driving robotaxis for test operations as well as the IONIQ 5 there.
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia have sold 1.5 million EVs including electric models of the Genesis brand so far, which were manufactured at factories at home and abroad, which also produce internal combustion engine cars.
Once the dedicated EV plants become online, the group is likely to adjust production volumes of the existing factories, industry sources in Seoul said.