Hyundai launches dedicated EV brand, Ioniq

Hyundai Motor Company announced the launch of its new Ioniq brand dedicated to battery electric vehicles. Under the Ioniq brand, Hyundai will offer customer centric EV experiences centered on connected lifestyle solutions in line with Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’.
 
Under this brand, Hyundai Motor will leverage its manufacturing know-how in EVs to introduce three new dedicated models over the next four years with more innovative models to follow. The creation of Ioniq brand is in response to fast-growing market demand and accelerates Hyundai’s plan to lead the global EV market.

Hyundai will combine its current EV capabilities – such as ultra-fast charging, spacious interior, and battery-supplied power – with future innovations that combine design, technologies and services to integrate in-car and out-of-car experiences for a seamless journey.  

Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company said, “The Ioniq brand will change the paradigm of EV customer experience. With a new emphasis on connected living, we will offer electrified experiences integral to an eco-friendly lifestyle.” 

Origins of the Ioniq brand
Hyundai first introduced the term Ioniq, which fuses ‘ion’ and ‘unique’, when it announced Project Ioniq, a long-term research and development project focused on eco-friendly mobility. Based on the project, Hyundai in 2016 introduced a vehicle named Ioniq, the world’s first and only model to offer a choice of three electrified powertrain options – hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid and battery electric – within a single body type. Now, Ioniq represents Hyundai’s growing commitment to sustainability and innovation and will be instrumental in achieving the company’s clean mobility goals.

Ioniq 5 / Ioniq 6 / Ioniq 7
Hyundai will be launching a range of numerically named EVs under the new brand, with the even numbers used for sedans and the odd numbers for SUVs. The first model under the brand will be the Ioniq 5, a midsize CUV that will launch in early 2021. Ioniq 5 is based on the concept EV ‘45’, which Hyundai unveiled at the International Motor Show (IAA) 2019 in Frankfurt as a homage to its very first concept car.
In 2022, Hyundai will introduce IONIQ 6 sedan, which is based on the company’s latest concept EV ‘Prophecy’, unveiled in March. This will be followed by Ioniq 7, a large SUV in early 2024.

E-GMP platform
Ioniq brand models will sit on an Electric Global Modular Platform, known as E-GMP, that will enable fast charging capability and plentiful driving range. The EV-dedicated platform will allow Hyundai to reimagine the vehicle interior as “smart living space” with highly adjustable seats, wireless connectivity and unique features such as a glove box designed as drawers.

Strategy 2025
Hyundai Motor recently announced that the group aims to sell 1 million units of battery electric vehicles and take 10 percent share to become a leader in the global EV field by 2025.

Under Strategy 2025, Hyundai Motor aims to become the world's third-largest automaker of eco-friendly vehicles by 2025, with 560,000 BEV sales in addition to FCEV sales.

Hyundai has celebrated the launch of Ioniq by turning the London Eye into a giant letter 'Q' using electric lights just before the official reopening of the famous attraction.