Hyundai Motor is ramping up its electrification push in China with a local strategy model under its dedicated EV brand, Ioniq. The automaker said it will deepen strategic cooperation with Chinese companies including battery maker CATL and autonomous driving firm Momenta, and it outlined plans to roll out 20 new models over the next five years.
Hyundai on Thursday unveiled the Ioniq V for the first time in the world at the 2026 Beijing International Motor Show (Auto China 2026) at the China International Exhibition Center in Shunyi.
The Ioniq V is the production version of the “Venus Concept” revealed April 10. Hyundai described it as the Ioniq brand’s first China-strategy model, designed around the lifestyle and preferences of Chinese customers. The company said the vehicle reflects its electrification know-how, including a locally optimized platform and battery developed through technical cooperation with Chinese partners, and a quiet ride.
Starting with the Ioniq V, Hyundai said it will add another electrified SUV by the first half of 2027. By 2030, it plans to introduce 20 new models, including extended-range electric vehicles, to build a midsize-to-large electrified lineup. It also said it will overhaul the full customer journey — from purchase through ownership — to offer an electrification experience tailored to China.
◆ “20 new models by 2030 ... China is a core market”
Hyundai also detailed its China strategy, centered on expanded investment, tailored product development and stronger partnerships. The company said it and its joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive Group last year jointly invested 8 billion yuan (about 1.73 trillion won) in Beijing Hyundai, aiming to better tap China’s innovation-driven industrial ecosystem.
Hyundai said it is targeting annual sales of 500,000 vehicles at Beijing Hyundai and will broaden its lineup by launching 20 new models in China over the next five years. It also plans to strengthen China as a key sales market and a long-term hub for global competitiveness by innovating EV sales and service and expanding cooperation with local technology partners.
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz said China combines the fastest development speed, a strong battery supply chain, demanding EV consumers and an advanced innovation ecosystem. “China is an essential and core market,” he said.
Munoz said Hyundai will “write the strongest, most ambitious and most anticipated new chapter” in China, citing large-scale investment in Beijing Hyundai, the 20-model rollout over five years, the official launch of the Ioniq brand in China and the debut of the Ioniq V. He said the company will define the future of mobility in China under its “In China, For China, To Global” strategy.
◆ Sleeker, roomier Ioniq V with advanced features
Hyundai said the Ioniq V follows its new design language, “The Origin,” with a focus on delivering a strong first impression. The front features an aggressive, sporty hood design and edge lighting. The side profile uses a curved silhouette, frameless doors and diamond-cut elements. The rear has slim taillamps stretched horizontally to the far left and right edges.
Hyundai said the cabin is larger, with overall dimensions of 4,900 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,470 mm in height, and a 2,900 mm wheelbase. It listed legroom of 1,078 mm in the front and 1,019 mm in the rear, and shoulder room of 1,502 mm in the front and 1,473 mm in the rear, calling it best-in-class interior space.
Features include a Horizon head-up display (H-HUD), a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset and a 27-inch 4K display. Hyundai said Dolby Atmos is standard, delivering spatial audio through eight speakers.
◆ Co-developed with CATL, Momenta and other local partners to build trust
Hyundai said the Ioniq V applies technologies developed with local partners as part of a strategy to supply products optimized for the market and strengthen global competitiveness. It said the vehicle uses a platform co-developed with joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive Group and a battery developed with CATL, with an expected range of more than 600 kilometers per charge under China’s CLTC standard. It also said the vehicle includes ADAS features developed with Momenta.
Hyundai said it will strengthen brand experiences by building dedicated brand hubs in major cities and creating Ioniq-only spaces inside dealerships. It plans to introduce Ioniq specialists and an expanded service program to support customers from purchase through maintenance. The company said it will adopt a “one price” policy across all sales channels to boost trust, and it will accelerate expansion of charging infrastructure and its battery service network.
Beijing Hyundai General Manager Li Penggang said unveiling the Ioniq V in China, which he called a leader in global electrification, goes beyond introducing a new vehicle and reflects respect for the Chinese market and a firm commitment to the future. He said the Ioniq V and the new China strategy show Hyundai’s intent to set a new global standard for mobility based on China’s innovation capabilities.
Hyundai said it will operate a 1,816-square-meter (about 549-pyeong) booth at the Beijing motor show through May 3, displaying nine vehicles — the Ioniq V, the Venus concept, the Earth concept, the Elexio, the Palisade Hybrid, cutaway models of the Ioniq 9 and Ioniq 5 N — along with two MobED models.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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