Hyundai Motor Co. announced that production of its first large electric sports utility vehicle (SUV), the Ioniq 9, will begin at its U.S. plant in 2025. The company’s global COO, Jose Munoz, confirmed the plans on November 5, stating that the Ioniq 9 would be produced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. This new plant, which opened last month, is Hyundai’s dedicated electric vehicle production facility and will also manufacture vehicles for its Genesis and Kia brands in the future.
The Ioniq 9, set to be Hyundai’s third dedicated electric vehicle following the Ioniq 5 and 6, is designed to target the large electric vehicle market in the U.S. With a spacious three-row interior and a long wheelbase, the vehicle is expected to offer versatile utility, fast charging times, and an impressive driving range. Hyundai plans to reveal the Ioniq 9’s design and features at an event later this month. The move to produce the vehicle locally will help Hyundai leverage tax incentives for both the company and consumers, aligning with the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act’s requirements for local EV production.
The Ioniq 9’s debut comes as Hyundai continues to expand its electric vehicle lineup in the U.S. The company is on track to hit its first-ever 100,000 annual EV sales in the U.S. this year. With the Ioniq 9, Hyundai aims to compete in the large EV segment alongside Kia’s EV9, which has seen strong sales in the U.S. since its launch. The overall Hyundai-Kia U.S. EV sales have surged by 30.3% year-over-year, and the company holds a 9.5% market share, ranking second behind Tesla.
As Hyundai pushes forward with its electrification efforts, it remains committed to further investment in the EV and battery sectors. Munoz emphasized that despite market instability, the U.S. EV market continues to grow, and the introduction of new models like the Ioniq 9 is expected to drive further expansion in the coming year.
Source: Businesskorea
