Hyundai Motor has paused production of the Kona Electric for the U.S. market, meaning the battery-electric crossover will not be offered there for the 2026 model year, the company said, as weakening demand reshapes electric vehicle line-ups in the country.
A Hyundai spokesperson told U.S. automotive publication Car and Driver that “sufficient stock of the 2025 model year Kona Electric is currently available to meet consumer demand,” adding that production of the 2027 model year Kona Electric is scheduled to begin in June. The company did not indicate whether similar pauses would apply to other regions.
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The decision appears to be limited to the United States. According to InsideEVs, production of the U.S.-specification Kona Electric at Hyundai’s South Korean plant has already been halted. European production, which takes place on a separate line, is expected to continue as normal. Hyundai Motor Europe has been contacted for comment.
High inventory levels at U.S. dealerships are widely seen as a reflection of softer demand. Data from Cox Automotive show that U.S. sales of the Kona Electric fell 41% in 2025 to 3,011 units, although Hyundai has not published official sales figures for the model in the market. Despite being Hyundai’s most affordable battery-electric vehicle in the United States, the Kona Electric has faced pressure from pricing, charging performance and competition from newer models.
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Industry analysts also point to broader market factors. The suspension of federal electric vehicle tax credits under the Trump administration, combined with uncertainty around future incentives, has weighed on U.S. EV demand more generally, prompting automakers to reassess their product strategies.
Hyundai is not alone in skipping a model year for an electric vehicle in the United States. Nissan has confirmed it will not offer a 2026 model year for the Ariya electric SUV in the U.S., while Acura has discontinued the ZDX electric model entirely. Volkswagen has also said there will be no 2026 model year for the ID. Buzz in the U.S., although an updated version is planned for 2027.
