Hyundai-Kia Target Big Growth for Green Vehicles

Hyundai Moors Co. and its Kia Motors Corp. affiliate aim to launch 26 hybrid, plug-in hybrid, all-electric and fuel cell models by 2020 to help meet future fuel economy and emissions standards.

The rollout will include at least 12 hybrids, six plug-in hybrids, two EVs and two fuel cell models, Lee Ki-Sang, who heads Hyundai-Kia's Eco Technology Center, tells Automotive News. Some of the vehicles, such as the plug-in variant of the Hyundai Sonata, are available now.

Lee expects Hyundai-Kia’s combined sales of the new green vehicles to be at least four times more than the group’s 2015 tally of 70,000 units. Lee believes the increase would make the duo the second-largest producer of such vehicles behind Toyota Motor Corp. He also expects the vehicles to be profitable by 2020.

Last year Hyundai sold nearly 43,000 hybrids and plug-in hybrids and about 300 fuel cell-powered cars. Kia sold some 18,700 hybrids and 8,450 EVs. By comparison, Toyota delivered 1.2 million hybrids and plug-in hybrids in 2015.

A relative latecomer to the green vehicle market, Hyundai’s first gasoline-electric model was the Sonata hybrid in 2010. The company also already sells the Sonata Plug-in. It is launching hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions of its new Ioniq compact sedan and a fuel cell version of the Tucson.

Kia’s green vehicles include the Cadenza Hybrid, Soul EV and hybrid and plug-in versions of the Optima. The unit also is preparing to launch the Niro hybrid compact crossover.

The new models will share a variety of components to help lower costs. For example, motor controllers will use standardized circuit boards, Lee tells AN. And all electric motors will have the same outer diameter, enabling the companies to easily offer various power outputs in a wide range of vehicles.