Hyundai wants to build electric cars in Turkey
However, Hyundai does not disclose which models will be built in İzmit and in what quantities. Nevertheless, there is an indication: Hyundai Motor Group ordered electric motor components from the supplier Posco in January 2024, of which 550,000 units will be delivered to the Hyundai plant in Turkey by 2034.
“The EV models manufactured in Türkiye’s İzmit plant will contribute to Hyundai’s growing electric lineup, supporting the European market’s increasing demand for sustainable mobility solutions,” the Koreans write in their press release. In addition to the still unnamed electric models, the plant will continue building combustion engines. Hyundai currently produces the i10 and i20 small cars and the Bayon small crossover in İzmit.
According to the plant’s website, the annual production capacity is a maximum of 245,000 vehicles. The current announcement refers to a “production expansion” but does not put a figure on this. The amount that Hyundai is investing in the conversion for electric car production is also not mentioned.
Until now, the plant has been operated by Hyundai Assan Automotive, a joint venture between the Hyundai Motor Group and the Turkish Kibar Holding. However, the holding company transferred its shares to Hyundai in 2020. To “better reflect its role in the global automotive landscape,” Hyundai has now renamed the plant Hyundai Motor Türkiye.
Hyundai already builds electric cars in Europe, namely in Nosovice in the Czech Republic. The Kona Elektro is built there. However, the electric models in the Ioniq series will continue to be imported from South Korea, as will the latest electric addition, the Inster small car.
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