Hyundai & Kia electric Vehicle Push Intensifies as European Market Becomes Key Battleground
MUNICH – Hyundai and Kia are aggressively expanding their electric vehicle lineups, targeting a thorough range from small to large segments, with a particular focus on capturing market share in Europe amid shifting global demand and increased competition.The strategy comes as the U.S. electric vehicle market cools following the end of subsidies and the imposition of new tariffs, turning Europe into a critical arena for global automakers.
Hyundai is preparing to launch a crossover (CUV) electric vehicle positioned between its entry-level model and the Ionic 5 SUV.This new model, comparable to Kia’s best-selling EV3 in Europe, is designed with the European preference for hatchback styles in mind and is expected to be a key driver of electric car sales. Hyundai aims to be the only brand offering a full range of vehicles – from A to E segments – through a total of six all-electric models.
“In Europe,B and C (small-sized medium-sized) segment is a key model,” stated Martinet. Kia is together showcasing its future EV portfolio, including concept versions of the EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, and PV5, with the mass-production EV2 – a small SUV optimized for urban driving – slated for European release next year.
The concept EV2 and EV3 have garnered important attention at the IAA Open Space, drawing interest not only from European visitors but also from a notable influx of Chinese automotive industry representatives and journalists. “As the US electric vehicle market has shrunk…europe has become a battlefield for global electric car brands,” noted an official from the domestic car industry. Hyundai and Kia are leveraging their strong global brand recognition, advanced features, and competitive pricing to gain an advantage in this increasingly vital market.
