Hyundai is really quickly pivoting into the era of electric vehicles. Plus, this was shortly after announcing it would cut in half the number of internal combustion models. It was going to launch its first EV on its Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), also the Ioniq 5. Now, the Hyundai Motor Group, which does include sister brand Kia and the luxury brand Genesis. Then closed its engine development division at its research and development center in South Korea. Then put those resources into an electric powertrain development.
Hyundai and its Electrification Design Center
Researchers from engine design are moving to its electrification design center, according to the report. However, there do remain a few behind to continue to refine the existing internal combustion engines. Moreover, the powertrain system development is going to become an electrification test center. Also, the performance division is going to focus on electric performance. Next, the group has also established a battery development center. Then, the R&D center is going to focus on raw materials for batteries and semiconductors.
R&D boss Park Chung-Kook has told his employees in an email: “Now, it is inevitable to convert into electrification. In fact, our own engine development is a great achievement. However, we must change the system to then create future innovation which is based on the great asset from the past.”
Targeting EVs
By 2025, the Hyundai Motor Group is, in fact, targeting one million EVs a year. There is full electrification by the year 2040. In addition to the newly launched Ioniq 5, Hyundai is going to plan to launch the Ioniq 6 EV is really based on the Prophecy concept car in 2022. It will be followed by the full-size Ioniq 7 SUV in 2024. It was recently previewing by the Seven Concept at the 2021 L.A. Auto Show. The Kia is set to launch the EV6 in 2022. Then the Genesis has recently revealed the GV60 electric crossover. Both are going to use Hyundai’s E-GMP architecture. Also, Genesis did recently reveal an electric version of the GV70 crossover in China. Moreover, Hyundai is going to invest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, plus commercial vehicles like its Xcient trucks, and passenger cars like the Nexo and the recently revealed Vision FK concept.
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