- Hyundai is introducing the Ioniq brand to China and will unveil its first production model for the Chinese market at the Beijing Auto Show later this month.
- New energy concept vehicles named Venus Concept and Earth Concept make their global debut.
Hyundai Motor has introduced its electric vehicle (EV) brand Ioniq to China, rebooting its strategy in the world’s largest EV market.
The South Korean auto giant announced Friday the official launch of Ioniq in the Chinese market, alongside the global debut of two new energy concept vehicles dubbed the Venus Concept and the Earth Concept.
The announcement, made ahead of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, marks Hyundai’s latest effort to revive its performance in the world’s biggest EV market.
The introduction of the Ioniq brand is a milestone for Hyundai’s comprehensive electrification rollout in China, and symbolizes its further implementation of the “In China, For China, To Global” strategy, the automaker said in a statement.
Management said the company will no longer simply replicate global standards, opting instead to leverage localized technology and talent to drive brand development.
The two newly unveiled concept cars were developed under the lead of Hyundai’s local design center in China, representing the design direction for the brand’s future mass-production models.
The Venus Concept is an all-electric sedan featuring a unique single-curve silhouette, while the Earth Concept is positioned as a battery-electric SUV focusing on family mobility and durability.
Hyundai plans to build an exclusive ecosystem called the “Ioniq Universe” for Chinese consumers, with all future models launched in the country to be named after planets in the solar system.
Its management hopes that this unique naming convention and highly customized services will enhance market stickiness and forge stronger emotional connections between the brand and local consumers.
Hyundai is deeply integrating its globally proven electrification platform with top-tier local intelligent solutions in China, it said.
The company has partnered with Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta to develop a self-driving system adapted to Chinese road conditions, and plans to introduce extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology to its future product lineup.
Ioniq’s first mass-production model tailored for the Chinese market will make its official debut at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, serving as the initial market test for its revamped localization strategy.
Hyundai also plans to launch all-electric and extended-range models covering mid-to-large segments in SUV and coupe body styles in China over the next three years, a move that underscores the company’s firm determination to claw back market share in the country.
The Hyundai EO starts at RMB 119,800 yuan ($16,870) and will compete against models including the BYD Yuan Plus and Geely Galaxy E5.
