Hyundai Motor Company’s first dedicated electric car’Ioniq 5′, which will be released in April, set a new record in the history of domestic automobiles. Electric vehicles surpassed the number of pre-contracted internal combustion locomotives for the first time while recording the largest number of pre-contracts among domestic finished vehicle models.
On the 26th, Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 26th that the number of contracts reached 23,760 through branches nationwide on the first day of the pre-contract with Ioniq 5 on the 25th. This is a whopping 6466 units exceeding the number of pre-contracted units of 17,294 units on the first day of Hyundai Motor Company’s history of the 6th generation “The New Grandeur” facelift (partial change) in November 2019. Even if the range is expanded to the entire Hyundai Motor Group brands such as Kia and Genesis, it exceeds the pre-contract number of 23,06 units on the first day of Kia’s’Carnival’ 4th generation completely changed model in June of last year.
As a result, Ioniq 5 became the car with the record of pre-contracting on the first day of all time in all domestic and electric car models. In particular, when the Ioniq 5 was first unveiled on the 23rd, Hyundai Motor Company set a goal of selling 26,500 units in Korea alone this year. This was almost achieved in a day of pre-contracting. Hyundai is planning to sell a total of 70,000 units in foreign markets this year, and the target for next year is set to 100,000 units.
The new record achieved by IONIQ 5 with the domestic electric vehicle sales ratio of only 2.5% last year is expected to remain a milestone in the popularization of electric vehicles. A Hyundai Motor Company official said, “The reason why Ioniq 5 received an explosive response from customers within a day is because it met customer expectations for Hyundai Motor’s first dedicated electric vehicle with innovative design and advanced technology.”
Ioniq 5, which first unveiled its indoor and outdoor appearance on the 23rd, is attracting attention as a vehicle that will provide a new electric vehicle experience with its original design and interior space. “The’parametric pixel’ (geometric algorithm image) applied to the headlights and taillights is a unique design that was not seen at all in existing Hyundai cars,” said the British automobile magazine’Autocar’. “The clean straight line is also attractive.”
“Motor 1,” an online automobile media in the US, said, “The wheelbase (distance between front and rear wheels) is impressive than that of the Palisade, a large sports utility vehicle (SUV).” Many of the indoor touch points are also made of recycled materials such as PET bottles, attracting attention.”
Customers are generally paying attention to the charging performance and external power transmission function of IONIC 5. After the online world premiere event on the 23rd, a European customer said, “The basic performance of an electric vehicle that can run 100km with a 5-minute charge through the multi-fast charging system is the most anticipated.” Ioniq 5’s domestic pre-contract is underway with two long-range models. Prices (based on 3.5% individual consumption tax) range from 52 million to 52.5 million won for basic trim (exclusive) and 57 to 57.5 million won for luxury trim (prestige). By reflecting the individual consumption tax benefits (up to 3 million won) and purchase subsidy (12 million won in Seoul) applied to electric vehicles, the basic long range trim can be purchased for 39 million won.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Company decided to focus on expanding its own rapid charger in line with the favorable pre-contract for Ioniq 5. Hyundai Motor Company said, “We are planning to build 120 units of rapid chargers nationwide this year, and we plan to increase them further.” The government also recently decided to expand electric vehicle chargers through the amendment of the Eco-friendly Vehicle Act and enforcement decree. The mandatory installation rate of chargers for new buildings will be increased 10 times from the current 0.5% to 5% in 2022, and the opening of public charging facilities operated by local governments and public institutions will be mandatory.
[서진우 기자 / 박윤구 기자]
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