Hyundai, Kia plan to produce more green vehicles globally
Hyundai and its affiliate Kia will seek to push sales of environmentally friendly vehicles as part of efforts by the South Korean automakers to meet increasingly stringent global emission standards and fuel economy requirements.
Hyundai chairman Chung Mong Koo, who presided over a meeting of executives heading overseas offices, directed them to expand production and sales of such vehicles globally, according to an emailed statement.
Hyundai plans to introduce its Ioniq gasoline-electric hybrid in the U.S. and Europe after starting sales in January in South Korea.
Kia plans to sell the Niro hybrid in the U.S., Europe and China.
Chung’s push for eco-friendly cars comes as Tesla prepares for its debut in South Korea, where such models comprise fewer than one per cent of 21 million vehicles. Automakers are expanding their lineup of alternative-energy vehicles with companies such as Toyota, as they come under pressure to improve fuel economy and meet increasingly stringent emission rules.
“We need to expand eco-friendly car lineup and strengthen sales, production capabilities to lead the eco-friendly car industry,” said Chung, who heads Hyundai and Kia.
Hyundai and Kia have said they plan to have 28 environmentfriendly vehicles in their lineups by the end of the decade, including electric cars and hybrids.
The automaker will also accelerate the introduction of its Genesis luxury brand globally, according to the statement. Hyundai spun off its luxury marque into a stand-alone brand as it seeks to move upscale and compete against the likes Acura and Lexus.
Hyundai plans to start sales of the G80 mid-sized sedan and the bigger G90 sedan in the U.S. this year while the G90 will be introduced in the Middle East, the company said without providing a time frame.