- Hyundai is revamping its China product roadmap with the Ioniq brand, planning to launch 20 new NEV models within five years to target a sales volume of 500,000 units by 2030.
- The South Korean automaker is deepening ties with local tech giants like CATL and Momenta to customize solutions for the world’s largest EV market.
(An Ioniq V on display at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026. Image credit: CnEVPost)
Hyundai is attempting to claw back lost market share in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market with an aggressive localized product roadmap.
The South Korean automaker announced at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show that it will make a full push into China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, centered around its Ioniq brand.
The company plans to roll out 20 new battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models in China over the next five years, according to a press release on Monday.
Its ultimate goal is for its Chinese operations to hit a sales volume of 500,000 units by 2030, helping the brand return to a trajectory of growth in the country.
The first concrete result of this product plan is the mass-production model of the Ioniq V, tailored specifically for the Chinese market.
Built on a new concept car Venus Concept developed primarily by its local design center in China, the model is scheduled to officially launch in the second half of 2026.
Hyundai will also gradually introduce SUVs and coupes covering the mid-to-large-size segments.
These new vehicles will all be named after planets in the solar system to build an exclusive “Ioniq Universe” ecosystem.
To ensure the new product line meets the needs of local consumers, Hyundai has abandoned its old approach of simply copying global standards.
The company has opted for deep strategic synergy with leading Chinese tech firms to customize exclusive smart technology solutions.
In the battery sector, Hyundai is jointly developing highly safe lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells and exclusive ultra-fast charging battery systems with CATL.
On the intelligence front, its new cars will be equipped with an assisted driving system co-developed with Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta, and will integrate ByteDance’s Doubao large language model.
To match the intensive pace of product launches, Hyundai is simultaneously restructuring its sales and customer service network in China.
The company has officially launched the Ioniq Star Drive Program, aiming to add 181 new dealership outlets by 2030 while upgrading its direct sales and exclusive services.
Hyundai president and Global CEO José Muñoz said that China is defining the future direction of mobility, and establishing an advantage here will inevitably lead to global success.
Muñoz also noted that Hyundai must deepen its presence in the Chinese market through larger-scale investments and a richer lineup of localized products to ultimately win globally.
Hyundai is introducing the Ioniq brand to China and will unveil its first production model for the Chinese market at the Beijing Auto Show later this month.
