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Hyundai dealerships are modernizing as the brand looks to build upon its growth in the EV market this year. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 is already a top seller at some dealers. With new electric models rolling out, like the three-row IONIQ 7 SUV, Hyundai has the “whole gamut covered.”

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 is a top-selling EV

“If I had to describe Hyundai right now in two words, it would be growth and investment,” Kevin Reilly, chairman of the Hyundai National Dealer Council, explained (via Automotive News).

Reilly said that after selling his first Hyundai in 1987, he’s watched the brand evolve over the years. And right now, Hyundai is in a “period of substantial year-over-year growth.” Hyundai closed out the year on a strong note with its 17th consecutive month of YOY sales growth.

The South Korean automaker sold nearly 269,000 EVs last year as Hyundai extended its position in the market. Hyundai’s dedicated EVs, including the IONIQ 5, are quickly becoming top sellers.

Hyundai expects the growth to continue, with around 300,000 EVs sold this year. In the US, Hyundai’s largest sales market, the automaker (including Kia), blew past Ford and GM to become the second top-selling EV brand in 2023.

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 electric SUV was the sixth top-selling EV in the US last year, climbing from seventh the year before.

Hyundai's-IONIQ-5-top-seller
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

Investing in EV growth

Now, dealers are doubling down with “healthy demand for EVs,” according to Reilly. Reilly, whose dealership is about two miles outside of Washington DC, sees around 20 to 25% EV sales mix, with the IONIQ 5 as the top-selling electric model.

The dealership is in a “very EV-centric market,” says Reilly, compared to the average sales mix of around 7.5% to 8%.

Although the spike in EV sales may not stay on its current slope forever, Reilly predicts “it’s going to be still a rapid adoption.” As Reilly explained, “Once a customer gets in an EV and starts driving it, there’s almost no chance they’ll go back to an ICE vehicle.”

Hyundai's-IONIQ-5-top-seller
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai and its dealers are investing heavily “across every aspect,” Reilly said. The company marked its one-year anniversary since breaking ground on its $5.5 billion EV and battery mega plant in Georgia in late October. Hyundai said 99.9% of the foundation work was complete.

The automaker expects it to become operational ahead of schedule as soon as the third quarter. Once complete, the facility will build six models across the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands.

Hyundai’s new facility will have the capacity to build around 300,000 EVs annually as the brand looks to extend its leadership in the market.

Hyundai-IONIQ-7-electric-SUV
Hyundai IONIQ 7 concept (Source: Hyundai)

One of the biggest reasons for the expected growth is Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV – the IONIQ 7. Hyundai’s IONIQ 7 will sit alongside the Palisade as a “family-mover.” Reilly expects “that car will do extremely well for families who want an EV but still need the room to manage the family and their daily needs.”

The IONIQ 7 will round out Hyundai’s lineup with the “whole gamut covered,” according to Reilly.

Electrek’s Take

As Hyundai continues investing in the future, rivals like Ford and GM have moved in the opposite direction, opening the door for the brand to extend its lead.

Hyundai is accelerating the development of its first EV and battery plant in the US as it looks to take advantage of a growing market with unique, dedicated electric vehicles.

Ford is pushing back around $12 billion in EV spending, while GM already delayed the production of its Chevy Equinox, Silverado RST, and GMC Sierra Denali EVs.

What do you guys think? Can Hyundai extend its lead over other legacy automakers this year?

Are you ready to join the movement? Hyundai is offering some of its best deals so far on its top-selling EVs, including up to $15,000 off the IONIQ 5. You can use our link to find great deals on the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a dealer near you today.

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Honda launches 2025 Prologue deals: Here’s how you can snag some savings

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Honda launches 2025 Prologue deals: Here's how you can snag some savings

Honda’s electric SUV took the US by storm, becoming the top-selling EV in the US outside of Tesla in the final three months of 2024. This year, Honda is making the Prologue even more attractive, upgrading it with over 300 miles of range. With 2025 Prologue models now arriving at dealerships, Honda wasted no time launching new deals this week.

2025 Honda Prologue EV deals and offers

After the first models were delivered last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the US.

In the second half of 2024, the Prologue was the second best-selling electric SUV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y. This year, it boasts even more driving range and power.

Since Honda didn’t raise prices, it’s essentially a free upgrade (well, sort of). The 2025 Honda Prologue (2WD) now has a “top-class” EPA rating of 308 miles, up 12 miles from the outgoing model. It also packs 220 horsepower (+8) and 243 lb-ft of torque (+7).

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The Prologue is still available in single-motor (2WD) and dual-motor (AWD) versions in three trims: EX, Touring, and Elite.

The AWD version now has a range of 294 miles (+13) for the EX and Touring trims and 283 miles (+10) for the Elite. It also now packs 300 horsepower (+12) and 355 lb-ft of torque (+25).

Honda-2025-Prologue-deals
Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

With DC fast charging speeds of up to 150 kW, the electric SUV can add 65 miles of range in around 10 minutes.

The 2025 Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the $7,500 EV tax credit, prices could fall to under $40,000. And that’s for the EX single-motor version with up to 308 miles of range.

Honda-Prologue-2025-interior
2025 Honda Prologue Elite interior (Source: Honda)

On Honda’s website, the 2025 Prologue is listed with a promotional rate of 2.99% APR for up to 60 months. Lease prices for the base model are not yet available, but the 2025 AWD EX is listed at $599 for 36 months with $4,299 due at signing.

Although the deals on the 2025 models are not nearly as good as the 0% financing and leases as low as $269 per month for the 2024 Prologue, Honda had to make up for the upgrades somewhere.

Trim Drive Configuration Pricing EPA Ratings
MSRP After Federal EV Tax Credit Plus $1,450
D&H
Range Rating MPGe Rating
(City/Hwy/Combined)
EX Single Motor (2WD) $47,400 $39,900 $41,350 308 113 / 94 / 104
EX Dual Motor (AWD) $50,400 $42,900 $44,350 294 108 / 90 / 99
Touring Single Motor (2WD) $51,700 $44,200 $45,650 308 113 / 94 / 104
Touring Dual Motor (AWD) $54,700 $47,200 $48,650 294 108 / 90 / 99
Elite Dual Motor (AWD) $57,900 $50,400 $51,850 283 104 / 87 / 95
2025 Honda Prologue prices, range, and drive configuration by trim (Source: Honda)

Honda is sweetening the deal with a charging package included in the Prologue’s price. You can choose from a free Level 2 home charger, a portable charging kit, or a $750 public charging credit.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is selling out fast with ultra-low lease and financing rates, while the 2025 model promises even more. Ready to try it out for yourself? You can use our link to find deals on the 2024 and 2025 Honda Prologue in your area today.

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Block bets on lending expansion after stock slump

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Block bets on lending expansion after stock slump

In this photo illustration, the logo for the US tech firm “Block” is displayed and reflected in a number of digital screens on March 03, 2023 in London, England. 

Leon Neal | Getty Images

With its stock down more than 30% this year and revenue growth slowing, Jack Dorsey’s Block is going bigger in lending.

The company on Thursday said it secured approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to originate loans through its banking subsidiary, Square Financial Services, allowing it to offer small-dollar consumer loans directly rather than relying on external banking partners.

It’s an expansion of Cash App Borrow, the company’s short-term lending product. But it comes at a time of increased concerns surrounding consumer credit, with President Trump’s expansive tariffs and widespread government job cuts raising talk of a potential recession.

Transaction losses in Block’s lending segment jumped 39% last quarter, and while the company claims its underwriting model is strong, small-dollar lending is inherently risky.

“Cash App Borrow is designed to provide short-term cash flow in a simple and accessible way when alternatives are notoriously expensive and difficult for consumers to navigate,” Block said in the press release. The company added that the average Cash App Borrow loan was under $100 and about a month in duration.

Block didn’t immediately provide a comment.

In getting approval to operate the lending business out of its own bank, Block says it will be able to offer the product nationwide.

Last month, Block reported quarterly results that missed Wall Street expectations, with revenue growing just 4.5% from a year earlier. The stock plunged 18%, its worst one-day drop since 2020.

Around the same time, Block rolled out Afterpay, its buy now, pay later product, on the Cash App card. Chief Financial Officer Amrita Ahuja told CNBC that the launch aimed to provide customers with more credit options, and positioned Cash App as a banking alternative for some customers. Block acquired Afterpay, which competes with Affirm, for $29 billion in early 2022.

Also this week, Block announced a big investment plan in artificial intelligence.

The company said on Wednesday that it will deploy Nvidia’s AI systems with its latest Blackwell chips to power open-source AI research. Block didn’t say what specifically it’s looking to achieve through its AI buildout, but noted in the press release that it will “start exploring novel solutions for our customers.”

WATCH: Block shares drop after earnings

Block shares drop after reporting earnings and revenue miss

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Kia’s first electric van looks even better in person [Video]

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Kia's first electric van looks even better in person [Video]

Kia is launching its first electric van, the PV5, later this year. If you liked how it looked in pictures, wait until you see it in real life. A production PV5 was spotted in Korea for the first time, giving us a closer look at the futuristic van. See it for yourself in the video below.

Kia’s first electric van spotted in Korea

After teasing it for what seemed like forever, Kia finally took the sheets off the PV5 at its 2025 EV Day event last month.

With its hard-to-miss futuristic design, the PV5 is a near replica of the concept shown at CES last January. The mid-size electric van is set to kick off Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy.

The PV5 will initially be available in Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab setups, but with “unprecedented flexibility,” you can expect to see more options soon. Two of the first will be the PV5 Crew, with additional cargo securing options and a Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) version.

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After that, Kia will follow it up with Drop Side, Box Van, Freezer, Box, and Prime variations. It plans to launch a Light Camper conversion.

Kia PV5 spotted in Korea (Source: HealerTV)

With sales kicking off in the second half of 2025, Kia’s electric van was spotted in Korea for the first time without camouflage. A new video from HealerTV gives us a better idea of what to expect when the PV5 hits dealerships later this year.

The PV5 maintains its techy, almost ahead-of-its-time design. Two exterior body colors were shown: white and a darker grey or black. As the reporter notes, it actually looks like an upgrade from the concept.

Kia did what it could at the back so it didn’t look like a bus, giving it more of a rounded overall shape. You can see how it stands apart from most MPVs you see today.

Like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Kia’s PV5 looks more like a minibus. At 4,695 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,899 mm tall, Kia’s passenger electric van is slightly smaller than the European ID.Buzz model (4,712 mm long, 1,985 mm wide, 1,937 mm tall).

It will be available with 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh battery packs, good for up to 400 km (249 miles) WLTP range. The PV5 can also fast charge (10% to 80%) in about 30 minutes. In comparison, powered by an 84 kWh battery, the ID.Buzz now offers up to 293 miles WLTP range.

Kia will launch sales in Korea and Europe later this year, followed by other global markets in 2026. Pre-orders will open soon, so check back for prices.

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