Hyunai’s new Ioniq brand will give us three new electric cars over the next four years, on a new EV-specific platform.
Hyundai
You have probably heard of Ioniq from Hyundai. I rode one not so long ago and thought it was a fantastic EV for the money, but Hyundai has big plans for Ioniq. The name, though – not the model.
See, Hyundai announced plans to spin the Ioniq name as a separate brand for its electric cars (a la Polestar and Volvo) on Sunday, but strangely, the Hyundai Ioniq hatchback will not be invited to the party. While that may seem a little strange, it’s probably because the current crop of Ioniqs only needs a year or two of a reboot.
The first release of the Ioniq subbrand will be called the Ioniq 5 (boring, I know) in 2021, and it will be based on the super cool Concept 45 hatchback. I keep crossing points that the production model is close to the concept, even when Hyundai calls the 5 a “midsize CUV (crossover utility vehicle)”. Following the Ioniq 5, Hyundai has plans to release two other models over the next four years, specifically the Ioniq 6 sedan in 2022, based on the stunning Prophecy EV concept, and a large SUV named Ioniq 7, which is intended for 2024.
“The Ioniq brand will change the paradigm of EV customer experience,” said Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company, in a statement. “With a new emphasis on connected living, we will offer electrified experiences integral to an environmentally friendly lifestyle.”
Interestingly, Hyundai has also confirmed that although Ioniq will be its own brand, it will be sold in Hyundai dealerships in addition to normal models with Hyundai brand. This is a different approach than the brand took with Genesis. But it could work in favor of the emerging EV market, with less cost being shouldered by the dealers, because, in theory, they would not have to build new buildings, and so on.
See again:
Are you the new mpg king? We test the Hyundai Ioniq 2017 …
4:45
The Ioniq brand made its official debut in London by turning the London Eye into a giant letter Q, representing the first part of the brand’s launch campaign, where it exclaims, “I’m in the lead. ” The campaign is intended to promote the empowerment of the environment and various lifestyles through the Ioniq market. It seems like a high order, but hey, we’ll see.
