Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the first model that will be sold in China under its Ioniq battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand at Auto China 2026 (Beijing Auto Show), as the South Korean automaker looks to regain momentum in the world’s largest vehicle market.

Hyundai said that the development of the all-new Ioniq V, which was specifically designed for the Chinese market, reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the country, despite a sharp drop in sales from peak levels ten years ago. The unveiling of the Ioniq V follows the launch of the Ioniq BEV brand in the country earlier this month, with sales scheduled to start later this year.

The new Ioniq V is based on a platform developed by Beijing Hyundai Motor Company, the Hyundai’s local joint venture with Chinese state-owned automaker Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group). It is powered by a battery system developed in partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Ltd (CATL), providing a driving range of more than 600 km on a single charge.

Hyundai said in a statement: “As the global automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation — with China at the center of electrification, software, and innovation — Hyundai Motor is advancing a renewed market strategy tailored to the world’s largest and most dynamic EV ecosystem. This commitment is anchored in Hyundai Motor’s ‘In China, For China, To Global’ approach, positioning China not only as a key market, but as a strategic base for innovation, advanced development, and future global competitiveness.”

Hyundai Motor Company’s CEO, José Muñoz, further pointed out: “China is an essential market for Hyundai Motor Company. It has the world's most demanding EV consumers, the fastest development cycles, the deepest battery supply chain, and an advanced innovation ecosystem. That is why we are tripling down on our commitment to China. With significant investments into Beijing Hyundai, 20 new models coming over the next five years, the official launch of our Ioniq brand in China, and the unveiling of Ioniq V, this is the most committed, the most ambitious, and the most exciting chapter we have ever written in this market. China is where the future of mobility is being defined, and Hyundai intends to help define it with its ‘In China, For China’ strategy - and ultimately, for the world.”

Beijing Hyundai sold 128,000 vehicles in China last year, and exported a further 66,000 units, compared with 1.14 million domestic sales in 2016.