Hyundai Motor is ramping up its electrification push in China with a China-focused model under its dedicated EV brand, Ioniq. The automaker said it will deepen strategic cooperation with local companies — including battery maker CATL and autonomous-driving firm Momenta — and plans an aggressive rollout of 20 new models over the next five years.
Hyundai on April 24 unveiled the Ioniq V (IONIQ V) for the first time worldwide 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, tailored to Chinese customers’ lifestyles. The company said the vehicle reflects its electrification know-how, including a locally optimized platform and battery developed through technology cooperation with Chinese partners, and a quieter ride.
Hyundai said it will add another electrified SUV by the first half of 2027 and, by 2030, introduce 20 new models — including extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs — to build a midsize-to-large electrified lineup. It also said it will revamp the full ownership process, from purchase through use, to deliver an electrification experience tailored to China.
◆“20 new models by 2030 ... China is a core market”
Hyundai also outlined its China strategy, centered on expanded investment, tailored product development and closer partner cooperation. The company said it and joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive Group last year jointly invested 8 billion yuan (about 1.73 trillion won) in Beijing Hyundai, aiming to build a system that can better tap China’s innovation-driven industrial ecosystem.
Hyundai said it aims for 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 pledged to make China a core sales market and a long-term hub for strengthening global competitiveness by innovating EV sales and service and expanding cooperation with local technology partners.
Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor’s CEO, said China combines the fastest development pace, 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 unveiling of the Ioniq V. He said the company will work to define the future of mobility in China under its “In China, For China, To Global” strategy.
Hyundai said the Ioniq V follows its new design language, “The Origin,” with a focus on delivering a strong first impression. It features a sporty hood line and edge lighting up front, a curved side silhouette with frameless doors and diamond-cut detailing, and thin rear lamps 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
Hyundai said the Ioniq V incorporates technologies developed with Chinese partners to better fit the local market and strengthen global competitiveness. It uses a platform co-developed with joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive, and a battery developed in cooperation with CATL. Hyundai said it expects more than 600 kilometers of range per charge under China’s CLTC standard. It also includes ADAS functions developed with Momenta.
Hyundai said it will build standalone brand hubs in major cities and dedicated brand spaces inside dealerships, and introduce Ioniq specialists and an expanded service program to support customers from purchase through maintenance. It said it will adopt a “one price” policy across all sales channels to bolster trust, and accelerate expansion of charging infrastructure and its battery service network.
Li Penggang, general manager of Beijing Hyundai, said unveiling the Ioniq V in China goes beyond introducing a new vehicle and reflects respect for the 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 mobility benchmark based on China’s innovation capabilities.
Hyundai said it is operating 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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