Hyundai, Kia urged to speed up production of EVs in US
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Joe Biden during his visit to Korea at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on May 22. / YonhapBy Kim Hyun-binConcerns are growing that Hyundai Motor and Kia could lose their competitiveness in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market unless they speed up production there amid the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, under which EV subsidies are offered only to locally produced cars, according to industry officials Monday. The U.S. Senate passed the first draft with a 51-50 vote Sunday, while a signature from U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to be made later this week after the House vote.The core of the bill is the $369 billion green stimulus package and within it the industry is paying keen attention to new EV subsidies. If the bill is passed this month, a subsidy of $7,500 per vehicle will be provided in the form of tax credits only for EVs produced in North America that are equipped with batteries produced in the country.“If the bill is passed, there may be confusion, and need for partially revi
