Three-row Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV to be manufactured and sold in the US

ABU DHABI: Hyundai has announced the upcoming launch of the Ioniq 9, a new electric three-row SUV. Jae Hoon Chang, Hyundai Motor President and CEO confirmed that the new Ioniq 9 EV will be manufactured alongside the Ioniq 5 at the Metaplant in Georgia. While other automakers are adopting a restricted approach due to waning demand for their EV investments, Hyundai is trying its best to expand its presence in the EV market by coming up with new models in popular segments.

The Ioniq 9 will be completely based on Concept Seven, which was introduced for the first time in 2021. Initially, Hyundai hinted that this concept would be built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform. It is the same architecture that was utilized for the Ioniq 6, Ioniq 5, Kia EV9, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60.

Jae Hoon Chang, Hyundai Motor President and CEO announced that the Ioniq 9’s production version will debut later this year at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Additionally, Hyundai is aiming to boost its hybrid offerings to cater to the increasing consumer demand in the US and the current shortage of hybrids in North America.

With Ford moving to a hybrid setup, Kia and Hyundai could lead the mainstream three-row electric vehicle market. While remaining committed to an aggressive global electric vehicle sales target, Hyundai accepts that the shift to electric vehicles has been slower than expected. Because of this, Hyundai will come up with EREVs—battery-powered electric vehicles with a gas engine that will be used not to drive the wheels but solely to recharge the battery.

Also read: Hyundai to develop series hybrid systems for future models