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Hyundai gave its electric SUV an exclusive new look. The new Hyundai Kona EV Mauna Loa is “a powerful companion” with special features and accessories, but getting your hands on one will be hard.

Check out the exclusive Hyundai Kona EV Mauna Loa

“More freedom, more adventure,” Hyundai said after unveiling the special edition Kona Mauna Loa electric SUV on Friday.

Hyundai upgraded the Kona EV, adding rugged new design elements for that off-road feel. The exclusive model features scratch-resistant black paint covering the entire front bumper, side stills, and rear.

It also has front and rear mudguards, black molding along the windows, and new leather seats on the interior.

Hyundai’s new Kona model can “handle everything from everyday life to the outdoors while being environmentally friendly.”

At 4,355 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,590 mm tall, the Mauna Loa edition is the same length and width as the Kona EV but slightly taller (1,585 mm height) with the roof rack.

Unfortunately, you may have a hard time finding one. The new Kona EV model is limited to just 30 units, and it’s only available in Japan.

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Hyundai Kona EV Mauna Loa special edition (Source: Hyundai Japan)

The limited-edition model starts at around $32,500 (4,950,000 yen). With 64.8 kWh battery capacity, the Kona EV Mauna Loa has a WLTP driving range of up to 388 miles (625 km). It’s slotted between the N-Line (5,060,000 yen) and Lounge (4,895,000 yen) in Hyundai Japan’s lineup.

Although you won’t be able to buy one in the US, Hyundai is launching a new IONIQ 5 XRT variant for the upgraded 2025 model year.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT (Source: Hyundai)

According to Brad Arnold, Hyundai Design North America’s senior design manager of exteriors, the rugged new XRT trim is built “to offer more protection, connection, and functionality. “

It will also gain rugged XRT-exclusive front and rear bumpers, black side stills, black window trim, and added (7″) ground clearance.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT (Source: Hyundai)

The new 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT was spotted testing in the US earlier this week, ahead of its official launch.

With an (AWD) dual-motor powertrain and 84 kWh battery, Hyundai said the XRT is expected to have a range of 250 to over 280 miles. Although prices have yet to be revealed, the XRT model is expected to be priced below the IONIQ 5 N, which starts at $67,495.

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Hyundai Kona Electric N Line (Source: Hyundai)

Is the Kona EV next in line for the XRT treatment? It could be with Hyundai launching new variants globally, like the Inster EV Cross, unveiled for Europe last week.

Would you buy a rugged Hyundai Kona EV model? If so, what features would you look for? Let us know in the comments below.

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Genesis wants a bigger slice of the US luxury market with new EVs en route

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Genesis wants a bigger slice of the US luxury market with new EVs en route

If you haven’t noticed, Genesis is quickly making a name for itself in the US. The luxury automaker now has 60 sales outlets as it expands into new US states. With new EVs launching, Genesis is eyeing a bigger share of the US luxury market.

Hyundai Motor Group’s Genesis brand is quietly emerging as a powerhouse in the US luxury market. Genesis marked its entry into the luxury segment in 2008 as a Hyundai-branded model.

In 2015, Hyundai announced Genesis would become an independent luxury brand. Since launching its first vehicle in the US, the luxury brand’s sales have surged from 7,000 in 2016 to over 69,000 last year. It even outsold Nissan’s Infiniti.

According to Genesis, this is just the start. The Korean luxury brand wants an even bigger slice of the market as it eyes rivals like Porsche.

A big reason behind the brand’s confidence is its new lineup of stylishly electric models. Genesis sells three EVs in the US: The GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70.

After introducing the Electrified GV70 just last year, the electric SUV is already Genesis’ top-selling EV in the US. According to Kelley Blue Book, Genesis sold 2,343 electric GV70 models in the US through September.

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2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 update (Source: Genesis)

Genesis eyes a bigger share of the US luxury market

Altogether, the luxury brand’s EV sales reached over 4,600 through the first nine months of 2024, topping Porsche (4,291) and Volvo (3,644).

Genesis made a statement at the LA Auto Show, unveiling the updated 2026 Electrified GV70. The luxury electric SUV now includes more range and an NACS port so drivers can charge at Tesla Superchargers. It will go on sale in the first half of 2025.

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Genesis at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Hyundai Motor Group)

Meanwhile, Genesis showcased its new GV60 Magma Concept at the event, its first dedicated high-performance EV. The brand sees its Magma performance brand rivaling that of Geman luxury brands like Mercedes AMG, BMW M, and Audi RS.

The Genesis GV60 Magma EV will launch next year, spearheading the brand’s “expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.”

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Genesis GV60 Magma EV concept global debut at Goodwood (Source: Genesis)

Genesis enhanced the battery and motor while fine-tuning the chassis, thermodynamics, and profile for more power and efficiency.

It also features an aggressive new design, sitting much lower and wider than the current GV60 model. Genesis added a Magma-exclusive sound system to give it a sports car-like feel in the cockpit.

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Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept (Source: Genesis)

In April, we got our first look at the G80 EV Magma concept, which could be a potential challenger to Tesla’s Model S Plaid and the Porsche Taycan GT Turbo.

The luxury brand is expected to launch its flagship electric three-row SUV next year, the GV90. Genesis previewed the ultra-luxury EV in March after unveiling the Neolun concept.

Genesis now has 60 sales bases in the US, with new stores in Washington, Minnesota, New York, and Florida. It’s also building 30 in Canada as it expands its presence in the North American luxury market.

The luxury brand is opening a new dedicated design center in California. The “Genesis Design California” will open in the first half of 2025 as it builds out its US network.

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No, BYD is not taking over NIO as fake rumors claim

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No, BYD is not taking over NIO as fake rumors claim

A rumor spreading like wildfire on social media claims BYD will be taking over NIO (NYSE: NIO) as the EV giant gobbles up market share in China. The rumor was posted by a suspected BYD employee, but NIO is denying the claim.

BYD acquiring NIO would be a massive move as China’s leading EV maker continues to dominate the market. But that’s not going to happen.

According to CnEVPost, NIO’s assistant vice president for branding and communications, Ma Lin, denied the rumors that BYD is taking over the company on Friday.

Ma posted a screenshot on social media asking BYD’s general manager of branding and PR, Li Yunfei if the person who posted the fake rumor was an employee.

Earlier today, the suspected employee claimed BYD and NIO were setting up a joint venture. In a Weibo post, the suspect said BYD would have majority control of the partnership with a 51% share while NIO would get the remaining 49% ownership.

Ma told Li that if it was, in fact, a BYD employee, he needed to issue an official clarification and apologize. If not, they can get the police involved together. Li also denied the rumors, saying the claim was seriously untrue.

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NIO Onvo L60 electric SUV at the 2024 Guangzhou International Auto Show (Source: NIO Onvo)

NIO denies rumors that BYD is taking over the company

This is not the first time rumors surfaced that BYD will be taking over NIO, but because it is a suspected employee, the post has garnered more attention.

BYD is on a major hiring spree as it ramps up production to meet the higher demand. The EV giant now has over 900,000 employees, making it by far the largest A-share listed company in China.

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BYD Dolphin (left) and Atto 3 (right) Source: BYD

After selling over 500,000 vehicles for the first time in a single month in October, BYD’s surge is heating up as the EV giant expands overseas for growth.

October was BYD’s fifth consecutive record sales month as it closes in on auto leaders like Ford in global deliveries.

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Onvo L60 electric SUV models (Source: NIO Onvo)

NIO is also gaining momentum, with sales topping the 20,000 mark for the sixth straight month in October. With output of its new lower-priced Onvo L60 electric SUV ramping up, NIO expects to continue seeing higher demand.

Ma said on Friday that NIO’s “recent situation is quite good.” The company’s head of PR added, “Cash flow turned positive in the third quarter, gross profit improved in October, earning an extra RMB 100 million, and Onvo (deliveries) will exceed 10,000 in December.”

NIO is launching its third brand, Firefly, with deliveries kicking off in the first half of 2025. The company expects sales to double next year as it works to become profitable by 2026.

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Hyundai recalls more than 145,000 EVs

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Hyundai recalls more than 145,000 EVs

Hyundai Motors is recalling 145,235 EVs and other “electrified” vehicles in the US, citing concerns about a loss of driving power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.

The NHTSA announced this morning that the recall affects selected IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 EVs, as well as certain luxury Genesis models, including the GV60, GV70, and G80 electrified variants, from the 2022-2025 model years, Reuters reported.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

It looks like the issue stems from “the integrated charging control units in these vehicles, which may become damaged and fail to charge the 12-volt battery. This malfunction could lead to a complete loss of drive power, posing safety risks for drivers,” the NHTSA stated.

If you’re an owner of one of these Hyundai models dating 2022-2025, stay tuned. Hyundai has not yet provided a timeline as to when affected vehicles will be repaired.

To make that happen, the company’s dealers will inspect and replace the charging unit and its fuse if necessary, NHTSA said. Free of charge, of course.

Importantly, no crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires due to this issue have been reported in the US, Hyundai reported.


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