Production of the new electric Hyundai Kona starts in Europe

Start of production of the new Hyundai Kona. Photography: Hyundai

Production of the new 100% electric Hyundai Kona is starting at the South Korean manufacturer’s Czech plant. A model produced in Europe, for Europe.

50,000 Konas will be produced in Europe by 2024

The Kona (in its previous version) was the brand’s first electric vehicle to be manufactured on European soil. Hyundai continues to bet on Europe and announces the start of production of its new model. The South Korean company plans to manufacture 21,000 units of its new generation Kona during this first year of production and 50,000 in 2024. The Kona will represent 15% of the factory’s total production by the end of 2023.

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According to Michael Cole, Hyundai’s CEO for the European market, the company sees Europe as “ as a key market “. According to him, it is for this reason that the brand produces ” more than 70% of its models designed for European customers, in Europe “. The electric market is developing rapidly on the Old Continent and Hyundai has understood this well. The South Korean giant intends to reduce delivery times by producing closer to its customers.

Hyundai targets new markets

To adapt to the specifics of the European market, Hyundai announces that a right-hand drive version will also be produced for the United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus. The brand plans to export its model to new markets in addition to the 22 European countries in which the Kona is currently sold. In particular in Turkey and Israel as well as on the islands of Reunion and Guadeloupe.

The 100% electric Kona will be produced in two different versions: the first has a 65.4 kWh battery and a 160 kW electric motor and the second has a 48.4 kWh battery and a 114 motor, 6kW. For the manufacture of its batteries, Hyundai uses the services of the LG factory in Wroclaw, Poland. The brand is making a major change, the objective of which is to only offer ” only electrified vehicles in Europe by 2035 ».

With this production in Europe, the Kona will not be afraid of the new French bonus with an environmental criterion.