In France, it has been revealed that 6 out of 10 cars sold by Hyundai and Kia are eco-friendly vehicles. Here, eco-friendly vehicles refer to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs).
Hyundai and Kia sold 28,354 eco-friendly vehicles in France during the first half of this year (January to June). This accounts for 59.9% of the total sales in France, which includes 47,307 internal combustion engine vehicles.
By brand, Hyundai’s proportion of eco-friendly vehicles stood at 62.4% (14,860 units), while Kia’s was at 57.5% (13,494 units). For Hyundai, the Kona Hybrid (3,676 units) saw a 31.4% increase in sales compared to the same period last year, attributed to the launch of the next-generation model.
Kia’s Niro Hybrid (2,811 units) and Sportage Hybrid (7,072 units) also experienced significant sales growth, with increases of 80.3% and 29.1% respectively compared to the same period last year. Thanks to the sales growth of these two models, Kia’s total eco-friendly vehicle sales in France (13,494 units) increased by 11.1% year-on-year.
Hyundai and Kia plan to increase their eco-friendly vehicle share by launching new electric vehicles in Europe. Hyundai is preparing to introduce the Casper Electric (locally known as the Instar), while Kia is set to launch the small electric vehicle EV3 within this year.
The Casper Electric is classified as a mini car (A-segment) according to European standards, and the Kia EV3 is a small electric vehicle (B-segment). Major European cities, with their narrow roads and limited parking spaces, show a high demand for compact electric vehicles.
With the launch of the Casper Electric, Hyundai will complete its electric vehicle lineup spanning from the A-segment to the B-segment (Kona Electric) and C-segment (Ioniq 5 and 6). Through its diverse electric vehicle lineup, Hyundai hopes to establish itself as a more eco-friendly brand to European consumers.
Kia’s EV3, like the EV6 and EV9, is based on a dedicated electric vehicle platform (E-GMP). It boasts a range of over 600 km on a single charge according to European certification (WLTP), allowing a trip from Paris to Geneva without recharging.
Kia will participate in the Paris Motor Show in October, following the conclusion of the Paris competition. The strategic models including the EV3 will be displayed. This will mark Kia’s participation in the Paris Motor Show for the first time in six years since 2018.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr