During the Visit, Chung Toured the Assembly Line, Met With Workers, and Reviewed the Factory's EV Conversion Strategy

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun visited the company's Izmit plant in Turkey on July 30 to inspect preparations for the production of the IONIQ 3 compact electric vehicle. During the visit, Chung toured the assembly line, met with workers, and reviewed the factory's EV conversion strategy. The Izmit facility is set to produce its first fully electric model, having completed infrastructure work last year and run pilot production since May.

The hatchback, built on Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), is scheduled to enter mass production in mid-August and go on sale across Europe in the second half of the year. "As we prepare for IONIQ 3 production, quality must remain our top priority, Chung said. "We must increase our competitiveness by offering a level of excellence that exceeds customer expectations.

Above all, we must ensure this vehicle meets the highest safety standards our European customers expect. The IONIQ 3 will be the first Hyundai model in Europe to feature the next-generation Pleos Connect infotainment system, along with the latest SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems. Chung also visited Hyundai Mobis' Battery System Assembly facility to inspect battery production processes for the IONIQ 3. The Izmit plant, operational since 1997, expanded in 2007 and 2013 to reach an annual capacity of about 200,000 vehicles.

It has produced roughly 3.4 million units to date, including Accent, Grace, Starex, Matrix, i10, i20, and Bayon models. As Hyundai's longest-running overseas plant, it will mark its 30th year of production next year.