South Korean automotive giants Hyundai Motor and Kia proudly announced on Sunday that their combined electric vehicle (EV) sales have crossed the 1.5 million units mark. This achievement comes 12 years after Hyundai introduced its inaugural EV model, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards sustainable mobility.
A Journey Through Time:
The journey began in July 2011 when Hyundai introduced its first EV model, the BlueOn, which was based on the i10 mini car. Over the years, Hyundai and Kia have played pivotal roles in shaping the electric vehicle landscape, contributing to the global push for cleaner and greener transportation.
Impressive Sales Figures:
According to data provided by the companies, Hyundai and Kia collectively sold 516,441 EVs in 2023 alone. This robust performance propelled their cumulative EV sales to an impressive 1.53 million units by the end of last year. Notably, eight out of every ten Hyundai and Kia EVs found homes overseas, underlining the global demand for their electric offerings.
Best-Selling Models:
The success story is not only in the numbers but also in the popularity of specific models. Hyundai’s Kona Electric and IONIQ 5, along with Kia’s Niro and EV6, emerged as best-sellers, contributing significantly to the cumulative sales figure.
Future Plans:
Looking ahead, despite a recent slowdown in EV sales, Hyundai has ambitious plans. It is set to launch the electrified version of the Casper mini car later this year. Meanwhile, Kia is gearing up to commence production of the EV3 compact EV model at its domestic plant in the second quarter.
In terms of overall sales targets for 2024, Hyundai aims to sell 4.24 million vehicles, a slight increase from the 4.21 million achieved in the previous year. Kia, on the other hand, aims for a 3.6% uptick in sales, targeting 3.2 million units compared to the 3.08 million units sold in the preceding year.
As a collective force, Hyundai and Kia currently stand as the world’s third-largest carmaker by sales, trailing behind only Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen Group.
In Shorts: 12 Years, 1.5 Million EVs: Hyundai and Kia’s Trailblazing Journey in Sustainable Mobility
The surpassing of the 1.5 million EV sales mark underscores Hyundai and Kia’s commitment to embracing the future of automotive technology. Their consistent efforts in EV innovation and global appeal highlight their role as significant contributors to the ongoing shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation.
