Ioniq 5 Named World Car of the Year
2022 World Car Awards
Also Wins Design and Electric Vehicle Awards
Decision to Develop Dedicated Platform
Becomes Foundation for Enhanced Competitiveness
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hyundai Motor Company's first dedicated electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5, won the 'World Car of the Year' award at the 2022 World Car Awards (WCA). Earlier, Kia's electric vehicle EV6 was named European Car of the Year in February, meaning Hyundai Motor Group swept two of the three major global Car of the Year awards. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun's determination to lead the electric vehicle market is reflected in this car, which is widely recognized for standing out in the fiercely competitive global EV market.
According to Hyundai Motor Group on the 14th, the Ioniq 5 received the grand prize of World Car of the Year, along with 'World Electric Vehicle of the Year' and 'World Car Design of the Year' awards at the WCA held on the 13th (local time) in conjunction with the New York Auto Show. The Ioniq 5 took home three of the six awards given to cars.
This vehicle is the first model to apply Hyundai Motor Group's self-developed dedicated electric vehicle platform, E-GMP. It has swept awards from major countries and ceremonies, including being named Car of the Year in automotive heartlands Germany and the UK. Along with Kia's first dedicated electric vehicle EV6 winning European Car of the Year, Hyundai Motor Group secured two of the three major Car of the Year awards. The three major awards are considered to be the European Car of the Year, World Car of the Year, and North American Car of the Year.
Jang Jae-hoon, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, is taking a commemorative photo in front of the vehicle after winning the World Car of the Year award on the 13th (local time). Chairman Chung's encouragement that "While we were fast followers in internal combustion engine vehicles, we must become first movers in the electric vehicle market" has been recognized through various awards. He urged employees, saying, "In the electric vehicle era, all companies start on an equal footing. Let's lead the global electric vehicle market with overwhelming performance and outstanding value that surpass competitors."
Even when opinions within the company were divided over developing a dedicated electric vehicle platform, Chairman Chung made the decisive call, which ultimately laid the foundation for the market recognition of Hyundai's EV competitiveness. He personally inspected key stages of platform development and actively requested the incorporation of unprecedented new technologies. Features such as V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), which allows the vehicle battery to power external devices like home appliances, and an ultra-fast charging system capable of charging from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, were functions that other companies hesitated to apply due to cost concerns.
Vice Chairman Chung Euisun of Hyundai Motor Company (left) is visiting the Hyundai-Tancong automobile assembly plant, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Company and Vietnam's Tancong Group, in March 2017, touring the production facilities. Technologies first developed and applied by Hyundai Motor Group include a system that shares various charging infrastructures, an integrated drive axle, and an electric vehicle power disconnect device (disconnector) that aids efficient driving. During development, Chairman Chung emphasized, "Recognize electric vehicles as an opportunity area and, from the perspective of pioneering new markets and industries, actively correct areas needing improvement and, if necessary, promote changes in personnel and organization." He encouraged employees to secure technologies and quality that exceed market expectations in all areas, including design, space, convenience features, energy efficiency, and powertrain, even if it took longer and increased costs.
Hyundai and Kia's electric vehicles are praised for meeting both expert and public expectations, as evidenced by various awards and increasing sales. Hyundai Motor Group sold 252,719 electric vehicles last year, ranking about fifth globally. In the first quarter of this year, sales reached 76,801 units (22,768 domestic and 54,033 overseas), an increase of over 70% compared to the same period last year. Overseas sales of dedicated electric vehicles like the Ioniq 5 and EV6 have entered full swing this year, expected to gain further momentum.
Hyundai Motor Group has set a goal to sell 3.07 million electric vehicles and achieve a 12% global market share by 2030. Hyundai plans to have more than 17 models, including Genesis, by 2030. Kia aims to increase its electric vehicle models to 14 by 2027. This year, sedan-type electric vehicles Ioniq 6 (Hyundai) and the high-performance version EV6 GT (Kia) will be released, followed by the EV9 (Kia) next year and the Ioniq 7 the year after. Performance will also be enhanced. Hyundai will standardize core EV components such as batteries and motors to create a more flexible passenger EV platform called eM, and introduce a purpose-built vehicle platform eS, useful for B2B transactions like delivery and ride-hailing. Over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities will also be expanded.
Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, and Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, are having a conversation on the 8th at the Hyundai Design Building of Hyundai Motor and Kia Technical Research Center located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
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