[2022 Busan Motor Show] Sedans, Buses, and Bikes... Busan Filled with 'Electrification'

'Busan International Motor Show' Opens Tomorrow
120 Participants Including Genesis
Kia and Hyundai Unveil Concept Cars
BMW Debuts i7 in Korea for the First Time

On the 14th, at the press preview event of the Busan International Motor Show, Kwon Hyuk-ho, Head of Kia Domestic Business Division, and Karim Habib, Head of Kia Design Center, are taking a commemorative photo in front of the Kia large electric SUV concept car EV9.
. Launching next year

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The Busan International Motor Show will be held for ten days starting from the 15th at BEXCO. Along with the Seoul Mobility Show, it is one of the two major automobile exhibitions in South Korea. Due to COVID-19, the previous event was canceled, so it is being held for the first time in four years (biennially). This year, 120 companies are participating. Domestic automakers Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Genesis are participating, while imported car brands BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce have set up booths. The main theme is electrification. Numerous new electric vehicles and concept cars currently in development filled the exhibition halls.

At the press preview event on the 14th, a day before the official opening, Hyundai Motor Company showcased the dedicated electric vehicle Ioniq 6 and, for the first time in Korea, the electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) concept car Seven, which was first unveiled at last year’s LA Auto Show. The Seven is scheduled to be released around the year after next as the Ioniq 7.

Hydrogen fuel cell-based trucks and buses were also exhibited. The Xcient hydrogen electric truck, set for domestic sales in the second half of this year, is a model exclusive to Korea and can travel 570 km on a single charge. Hyundai plans to prioritize supplying vehicles for public purposes, such as street cleaning trucks, in cooperation with local governments. The hydrogen electric bus can operate daily routes of metropolitan buses with just one charge per day. After this event, pilot operations of hydrogen buses will be conducted in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai aims to fill its lineup with electric vehicle models across all categories, including SUVs, sedans, and commercial vehicles. Last year, domestic and international electric vehicle sales were around 140,000 units. The company plans to expand its electric vehicle models to 13 by 2030 and increase sales to 1.8 million units. Domestic electric vehicle sales, which were about 42,000 units last year, are also expected to grow to 330,000 units by 2030. The share of electric vehicle sales is projected to rise from 6% to 45% by 2030. Hyundai will form an alliance with other businesses to increase the number of ultra-fast chargers in urban areas to 5,000 and apartment charging infrastructure to 400,000 units by 2025.

Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, said on the day, "Last year, we declared carbon neutrality by 2045 and expressed our commitment to ‘progress toward humanity.’ Through the Ioniq 6, we will continuously strengthen the advancement of electrification experience to realize eco-friendly mobility that Hyundai pursues."

Jang Jae-hoon, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, is explaining about the Ioniq 6 at the Busan International Motor Show on the 14th.

Kia exhibited the electric SUV concept car EV9 for the first time in Korea. It is the company’s second dedicated electric vehicle, currently under development with a target release next year. The high-performance electric vehicle EV6 GT, the Niro Plus developed for work purposes such as taxis and delivery, and the new Niro electric vehicle (EV) were also displayed in a section of the exhibition hall. Kwon Hyuk-ho, Head of Kia’s Domestic Business Division, said, "By 2027, we will have a lineup of 14 electric vehicle models and will take the lead in creating a sustainable planet by considering the entire process from vehicle production to sales."

BMW unveiled the electric version of its large sedan 7 Series, the i7, for the first time in Korea, which is scheduled for domestic release by the end of this year. High-performance electrified models such as the iX M60, i4 M50, and the new plug-in hybrid XM were also exhibited.

Additionally, SK Telecom showcased an urban air mobility (UAM) simulator using 4D Plus attraction technology. Nexen Tire introduced various products suitable for electric vehicles. Various side events, including the Smart Mobility Show featuring small electric mobility devices such as electric bicycles and electric motorcycles, the AutoManuFair exhibiting automotive materials, parts, and accessories, export consultation meetings, e-sports experiences, and new car test drives, will be held throughout the exhibition period.

BMW Group Korea Exhibition Booth at the Busan International Motor Show

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