Hyundai Hybrid SUV 'Duo' to Lead Overseas Sales Next Year

Tucson and Santa Fe HEV Launch in European and North American Markets
Expanding Eco-Friendly Lineup with Volume Segment SUVs

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Hyundai Motor Company will consecutively launch hybrid models of its representative sport utility vehicles (SUVs), Tucson and Santa Fe, in overseas markets next year. The first markets to receive these models are Europe and the United States, which are considered the largest automobile markets and where eco-friendly vehicles are becoming the mainstream.

According to industry sources on the 10th, Hyundai plans to launch the Santa Fe hybrid (HEV) model in the European market as early as this month. Production of the Santa Fe HEV will be handled by the Ulsan Plant 2. Full-scale sales are expected to begin in early next year after the launch. In addition to the HEV model, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model is also currently undergoing local certification procedures for sales in Europe next year.

The Santa Fe HEV has already been officially confirmed for launch in the North American market around the same time. Hyundai Motor America announced on the 7th (local time) that it will release the new Santa Fe HEV model in the first quarter of next year. Unlike the internal combustion engine model of the Santa Fe produced at the Alabama plant in the U.S., the HEV model will be produced domestically, the same as the one exported to Europe. Approximately 600 units of the Santa Fe HEV destined for the North American market will be produced at the Ulsan plant within this month.

Another anticipated eco-friendly model, the Tucson, is expected to be released in Europe in the spring and in North America around summer next year. Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President of Product and Marketing at Hyundai Motor Europe, officially announced the launch of the new Tucson PHEV model next year, stating, "The all-new Tucson will offer a wide range of electrified powertrains, including gasoline and diesel mild hybrids, HEV, and PHEV options."

The Tucson and Santa Fe are larger SUVs compared to Hyundai’s previously introduced eco-friendly models in Europe and North America, and they are expected to boost overseas sales of eco-friendly vehicles. In Europe, Hyundai’s eco-friendly vehicle sales surged by 64.3% year-on-year from January to October this year, increasing its presence. With annual eco-friendly vehicle sales of 100,000 units becoming visible this year through limited models such as Kona and Ioniq, the addition of Tucson and Santa Fe is expected to intensify efforts to capture the eco-friendly vehicle market. The Tucson HEV, which debuted in the domestic market last September, received a positive response, with over 10,000 contracts signed on the first day of its release, further raising expectations.

An industry official said, "Hyundai is accelerating the launch of new eco-friendly vehicles in line with its plan to expand its eco-friendly vehicle lineup to 10 models in the U.S. by 2022," adding, "Especially since eco-friendly vehicles are being introduced in volume segments, it is expected to have a positive impact on increasing market share in Europe and the U.S."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.