Hyundai Motor Türkiye (HMTR) has officially commenced production of the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 3 at its İzmit manufacturing plant. This significant milestone highlights a major step in the automaker’s European electrification strategy and underscores the ongoing evolution of its manufacturing capabilities.
The rollout of the new Hyundai IONIQ 3 'Aero Hatch' follows a massive €250 million investment directed at transforming the facility over the past two years to accommodate advanced EV production in Türkiye.
A €250 Million Investment in European EV Manufacturing
Established in 1997, the İzmit plant has been a cornerstone of Hyundai’s European operations for nearly three decades, benefiting from a total historical investment of €1.185 billion. To prepare for the IONIQ 3, more than 50 percent of the facility underwent extensive modernization.
This transformation aligns with Hyundai's flexible powertrain strategy, ensuring the plant is fully equipped to produce the latest generation of electrified vehicles. Hyundai Motor Türkiye aims to produce an initial 30,000 IONIQ 3 vehicles annually, reinforcing Türkiye's position as a critical, scalable automotive manufacturing hub for European consumers.
Future-Proofing with Battery Assembly and Next-Gen Lineup
The investment goes beyond just the IONIQ 3 assembly line. To support a growing robust supply chain, Hyundai Motor Türkiye is setting the stage for future growth:
Battery System Assembly: In collaboration with Hyundai Mobis, a new Battery System Assembly plant is being integrated into the İzmit site. This addition will soon support the assembly of batteries for hybrid vehicles.
Next-Generation Production: Alongside the IONIQ 3, the plant is actively preparing for the production of the next-generation Hyundai BAYON and Hyundai i20 models.
Strong Support from Industry and Government Leaders
The Start of Production ceremony brought together key figures from the Turkish government, global business leaders, and Hyundai executives, signaling strong support for the region's expanding EV ecosystem.
"Hyundai Motor Türkiye will initially produce 30,000 IONIQ 3 vehicles annually in Türkiye with an investment of €250 million. Hyundai Motor Türkiye’s investment in the IONIQ 3 demonstrates that our next-generation mobility vision is gaining recognition among global automotive manufacturers and confirms Türkiye’s position as a reliable and scalable manufacturing hub." — Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Türkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology
"The IONIQ 3, which enters production today, reflects Hyundai Motor Company’s vision for the future, technological excellence, and unwavering commitment to growing together with Türkiye’s automotive industry through advanced innovation." — Sukjong Boo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Türkiye
"The start of IONIQ 3 production marks an important milestone for our plant in İzmit and for Hyundai in Europe. Producing our first electric vehicle in Türkiye strengthens our manufacturing capabilities, increases our flexibility to respond to our customers' evolving needs, and supports our ambition to expand accessible electrified mobility across Europe." — Xavier Martinet, Hyundai Motor Europe President and CEO
Leading Manufacturing Excellence for a New Era
Adapting to the surging EV demand across Europe required not just infrastructure upgrades, but a highly agile workforce. Over 1,000 employees have taken on new or adapted roles to guarantee the highest quality standards for the IONIQ 3.
"We are proud to produce the first-generation IONIQ 3 in Türkiye. As part of our transformation process, approximately 50 percent of our plant has been modernized... The IONIQ 3 represents a long-term commitment for Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Europe and Hyundai Motor Türkiye alike. Looking ahead, we aim to continue investing in various areas to further enhance our production capabilities in the coming years." — Alex Kim, Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO
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