Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hyundai starts selling newest version of IONIQ 6
Hyundai Motor's 2024 IONIQ 6 electric vehicle / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Lee Min-hyung
By Lee Min-hyung
Hyundai Motor has started sales of its newest version of the IONIQ 6 electric vehicle (EV), featuring a competitive price, equipping even the entry-level model with better security options, the carmaker said Thursday.
According to the nation's largest carmaker, the 2024 IONIQ 6 will become available to customers on Friday.
One key feature of the flagship EV is that the entry Exclusive model comes with a steering wheel vibration alert system. The 2024 IONIQ 6 also features improved functions in its vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology. This enables users to better charge their electronic devices anytime, anywhere, by using the vehicle battery.
The IONIQ 6 was launched in 2022 and has since received favorable market responses here and abroad. The vehicle won the World Car of The Year award in New York in April in recognition of its aerodynamic design and advanced driver assistance functions.
“We will keep developing core capabilities to become the EV market leader,” an official from the company said.
The price for the latest EV starts at 47 million won ($35,240). Carmakers typically raise prices when launching new versions of vehicles. However, Hyundai did not opt for a price increase for the 2024 IONIQ 6, reflecting the recent EV sales growth slowdown experienced not just in Korea, but also in the U.S. and China.
Hyundai Motor's EV sales in Korea reached 3,476 in August, down 30 percent from a year earlier. The figure for July also declined 8.7 percent from the previous year.
Hyundai aims to make up for the market slowdown with the launch of the latest IONIQ 6. The Exclusive Plus trim cut its price down by 700,000 won, and the company did not change prices for other trims.
The carmaker plans to hold diverse marketing activities to recover EV sales. It will introduce the IONIQ-branded vehicles through its Longest Run 2023 eco-friendly social campaign in September and October. It also will exhibit the vehicle at the Future Auto & Mobility Expo in October and Green Business Week in November under the eco-friendly concept.