Hyundai Kona Electric: production has started in Europe

The Korean manufacturer has just started production of the Hyundai Kona Electric in its European factory in Nošovice, located near Ostrava in the Czech Republic. By the end of this year 2023, it will be more than 20,000 copies of the new electric SUV that will roll off the production lines at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) site, and 50.000 will be from next year.

“Hyundai sees Europe as a key market, which is reflected in our commitment to our customers across the continent. That’s why we produce more than 70% of our models – designed for European customers – in Europe. In response to the growing demand for our electric vehicles in the region and with a focus on shorter delivery times, the production of one of our most important electric cars in Europe underlines the importance of the European market for Hyundai »said Michael Cole, Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe.

Hyundai Kona Electric: a strategic location

Hyundai aims to sell only zero-emission vehicles in Europe by 2035, and by 2030 no less than eleven new Hyundai electric vehicles will be on the market. This is why the new generation of the Hyundai Kona was first developed as an electric vehicle, although there will also be hybrid and thermal versions.

Since 2020, the first-generation Hyundai Kona Electric has become the whole first electric vehicle of the brand to be produced in Europe. This strategic location from HMMC helps to reduce delivery times for customers in Europe, while reliably supplementing the supply of the Ulsan plant, located near Busan in South Korea. The second generation Kona Electric naturally takes over from the first opus, and is therefore also manufactured in Europe.

The Hyundai Kona Electric produced in the Czech Republic will be marketed with a version with right-hand drive, in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus. The model will also be delivered to customers in Turkey, Israel, or the islands of Reunion and Guadeloupe.

Two versions of batteries made in Poland

Two Versions Kona Electric are offered: a first with a battery of 65,4 kWhequipped with an electric motor 218 horsepoweroffers an autonomy of 514 km (WLTP). The entry-level version has a battery of 48,4 kWh and an electric motor 156 horsepoweroffering an autonomy of 377 km (WLTP).

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s battery cells are manufactured at LG Energy Solution’s plant in Wroclaw, Poland. THE batteries are then assembled in their final form in the same HMMC plant in the Czech Republic, which had also produced manual gearboxes until the end of 2021.

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