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IAA 2025 Hyundai Motor premieres electric hatchback concept to crack European market

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By Lee Min-hyung
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Hyundai Motor Europe CEO Xavier Martinet poses with the carmaker’s Concept THREE, a prototype of its first all-electric hatchback, at a booth set up at the German street of Ludwigstrasse on the sidelines of IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Hyundai Motor Europe CEO Xavier Martinet poses with the carmaker’s Concept THREE, a prototype of its first all-electric hatchback, at a booth set up at the German street of Ludwigstrasse on the sidelines of IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

MUNICH — Hyundai Motor unveiled Tuesday a prototype of its first all-electric hatchback at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, expressing a strong commitment to European customers who prefer compact eco-friendly vehicles.

During the auto exhibition, the carmaker held a world premiere of the Concept THREE, positioning the car as the smallest among its IONIQ electric vehicle (EV) series.

The Concept THREE features minimalist exterior design with sculpted surfaces. It was inspired by the carmaker’s design language, “Art of Steel.” The vehicle is characterized by clean intersections and distinctive lines, both of which are aimed at emphasizing its symbolic identity of motion and precision, the carmaker said.

The vehicle’s side view was also designed with a concept of what the carmaker calls the “Aero Hatch,” which highlights its remarkable aerodynamic performance.

Hyundai Motor's Concept THREE, the carmaker's smallest lineup of its IONIQ electric vehicle series / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Hyundai Motor's Concept THREE, the carmaker's smallest lineup of its IONIQ electric vehicle series / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Since 2019, the carmaker has unveiled a series of electric concept cars and subsequently launched a family lineup of its IONIQ series, including the IONIQ 5 compact SUV and the IONIQ 6 mid-sized sedan.

The company said the latest concept model displays the carmaker’s firm efforts to expand the lineup with smaller vehicles so it can appeal more particularly to the European auto market.

“We have decided to introduce the concept model for the first time in Europe, as the region’s pace of transition to EVs remains high,” a Hyundai Motor official said. “Customers here also have strong preference for hatchbacks. The latest event will raise the awareness of our IONIQ brand in the European auto market.”

Visitors and reporters take photos of Hyundai Motor's Concept THREE, a prototype of its first all-electric hatchback, at a booth set up at the German street of Ludwigstrasse on the sidelines of IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Visitors and reporters take photos of Hyundai Motor's Concept THREE, a prototype of its first all-electric hatchback, at a booth set up at the German street of Ludwigstrasse on the sidelines of IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Buoyed by its increased brand profile in the European EV industry, Hyundai Motor and its sister brand, Kia, hope to set a new sales milestone in the territory this year.

The two carmakers’ combined EV sales in Europe soared 46 percent from a year earlier, reaching 106,000 for the first seven months combined. They set a sales target of more than 200,000 EVs this year in Europe with their price-competitive compact EV lineups.

Hyundai Motor aims to extend the winning streak of Kia’s EV3 compact electric SUV in Europe with the upcoming launch of the new electric hatchback.

EVs accounted for 17.8 percent of Germany’s total registered vehicles between January and July, but Hyundai Motor’s EV sales portion came in at a much higher level of 28 percent in the country during the same period.

Hyundai Motor will also promote other major EV lineups, such as the IONIQ 6 N and Kona Electric, during the auto fair.