Hyundai says the new Kona electric will overtake gas, hybrid variants in sales
After releasing its next-generation Kona electric model Tuesday, Hyundai has high expectations for the updated urban SUV. The South Korean automaker believes the new Kona EV will sell more than its gas-powered and hybrid variants.
Hyundai released the first Kona electric model in 2018, a year after the gas-powered version was introduced in Korea and North America.
The Hyundai Kona compact SUV, or “lifestyle SUV” as they call it, was designed to fill a growing need for a smaller B-segment Sport Utility Vehicle while expanding its options in the segment.
The subcompact SUV was redesigned with a new sporty look and more aerodynamic front fascia for last in 2021 for last year’s model year, and the results have been huge.
Hyundai’s electric Kona placed ninth out of the top-selling EVs in Europe, selling over 41,000 models in 2022.
Perhaps, more importantly, consumers are gravitating toward the electric model, which accounted for about 40% of the lineup’s sales last year, as it continues to gain more attention than its gas and hybrid variants.
Hyundai built upon the Kona EVs success, releasing the second generation model on Wednesday with over 300 WLTP mile range (for the long-range 65.4 kWh battery option).
However, the range is only a small factor of the Kona electric refresh. Alongside an “EV-led” redesign, the new Kona features improved aerodynamics, features, and style over its predecessor.
Hyundai Kona electric will outsell gas and hybrid models
According to Auto News Europe, Hyundai Europe CEO Michael Cole said he expects to sell more Kona electric models than the gas and hybrid-powered variants.
Cole says he forecasts the electric subcompact SUV will account for 60% (up from 40% in 2022) of the Kona lineup, which includes the combustion and full-hybrid models.
To help get it there, Hyundai has taken customer feedback and implemented it into its latest generation. Hyundai design head SangYup Lee told Automotive News:
Customers asked us for more interior space and a wider tailgate. We delivered, extending the Kona’s wheelbase by 60 mm as well as making it 25 mm wider and 20 mm taller.
Lee added that the new Kona electric was designed to be unique from the IONIQ 5 SUV and IONIQ 6 electric sedan on purpose, fitting together “like on a cheese board.”
The Kona also differs from the IONIQ series in that it rides on the automaker K3 architecture 400V electric architecture that’s been modified from previous Kona generations. Meanwhile, the IONIQ 5 and 6 models sit on Hyunda’s dedicated E-GMP platform, offering ultrafast charging with 10% to 80% in less than 20 mins. In comparison, the Kona EV will take 41 minutes, according to Hyundai.
Electrek’s Take
With a bold, sleek new design, enhanced features, and range, it’s no wonder Hyundai believes its electric variant will outsell its gas and hybrid-powered variants.
The Kona model was Hyundai’s third best-selling vehicle in 2022, with over 58,000 sales, while the Kona electric placed sixth, selling 41,448 units last year.
2023 is shaping up to be a big year for Hyundai – as its award-winning IONIQ 5 continues gaining momentum, the IONIQ 6 will begin to roll out, and the Kona electric is poised for another breakout year.
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Environment
Baidu- and Geely-backed JiYue brand unveils ROBO X EV that goes 0-100 km/h in under 1.9 sec
JiYue, a Chinese EV brand focused on delivering all-electric “robocars” to the masses, has unveiled its latest model, and it’s quite a deviation from its previous EVs—but in the best way. Earlier today, JiYue launched the ROBO X supercar, designed for high-speed racing. By high speed, we mean 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 1.9 seconds. My mouth is watering.
JiYue has only existed since 2021, when parent tech company Baidu announced it was expanding from software development into physical EV production, joining forces with multinational automotive manufacturer Geely.
The new “robotic EV” marque initially launched as JIDU with $300 million in startup capital before garnering an additional $400 million in Series A funding, led by Baidu, in January 2022.
In August 2023, Geely took on a larger role in JIDU alongside a greater financial stake as the brand reimagined itself as JiYue, inheriting the JIDU logo and its flagship model, the 01 ROBOCAR.
In December 2023, Baidu and Geely unveiled a second model called the JiYue 07. It was born from JIDU’s ROBO-02 concept, which debuted in 2023 and was designed to compete against the Tesla Model 3 in China.
The 07 finally launched in China earlier this year with 545 miles of range. With an all-electric SUV and sedan on the market, JiYue has unveiled an exciting new entry in the form of a performance supercar called the ROBO X. Check it out:
JiYue’s new ROBO X EV is available for pre-order now
JiYue showcased its new ROBO X hypercar in front of the crowd at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show earlier today. Similar to previous models but with a unique spin, JiYue described the ROBO X as an AI smart-driving supercar that, for the first time, blends artificial intelligence and autonomous driving into a high-performance, race-ready EV.
When we say “high performance,” we mean a quad motor liquid-cooled drive system that can propel the ROBO X from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in under 1.9 seconds. JiYue called the new ROBO X a “performance beast” with “the perfect balance of excellent aerodynamic performance and high downforce.” JiYue CEO Joe Xia was even bolder in his statements about the ROBO X:
For the next 20 years, the design of supercars will bear the shadow of Robo X. This is the best design in the history of Chinese automobiles today, and it is a landmark presence.
Fighter-style airflow ducts bolster the EV’s aerodynamics, efficiency, and overall posture. Per JiYue, the two-seater ROBO X is expected to deliver a maximum range of over 650 km (404 miles).
The new supercar features falcon-wing doors, a carbon fiber integrated frame, and a professional racing HALO safety system offering 360° of support. The interior features an AI smart cockpit with SIMO real-time feedback to give drivers an immersive racing experience.
Furthermore, JiYue said the vehicle will utilize parent company Baidu’s Apollo self-driving technology, which could make it the first electric supercar to apply pure-vision ADAS technology that enables track-level autonomous driving.
Following today’s unveiling of the ROBO X, JiYue has officially opened up pre-orders in China for RMB 49,999 ($6,915). That said, reservation holders will need to be patient as JiYue shared that it doesn’t expect to begin mass production of the ROBO X until 2027.
What do you think? Will people be talking about the ROBO X for the next 20 years?
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes the launch of the Lectric XPedition 2.0, Yamaha e-bikes pulling out of North America, LiveWire unveils an electric scooter concept, PNY readying its cargo e-scooters for pilot testing, Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:30 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:30 a.m. ET):
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Crude oil futures were on pace Friday for loss for the week, as a supply gut and a strong dollar depresses the market.
U.S. crude oil is down more than 2% this week, while Brent has shed nearly 2%.
Here are Friday’s energy prices:
- West Texas Intermediate December contract: $68.56 per barrel, down 14 cents, or 0.2%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has shed about 4%.
- Brent January contract: $72.36 per barrel, down 20 cents, or 0.28%. Year to date, the global benchmark has lost nearly 6%.
- RBOB Gasoline December contract: $1.99 per gallon, up 0.46%. Year to date, gasoline has fallen more than 1%.
- Natural Gas December contract: $2.70 per thousand cubic feet, down 2.98%. Year to date, gas has gained more than 4%.
The International Energy Agency has forecast a surplus of more than 1 million barrels per day in 2025 on robust production in the U.S. OPEC revised down its demand forecast for the fourth consecutive month as demand in China remains soft.
A strong dollar also hangs over the market, as the greenback has surged in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory.
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