Hyundai is reportedly seeking to launch an reasonably priced electrical model of its Casper mini SUV in Europe later this yr, which is predicted to rival different small electrical automobiles (EVs) available in the market.
Though the Hyundai Casper mini SUV is at the moment solely out there within the South Korean market as a gasoline automobile, the automaker is predicted to share an EV model of the compact automobile in Europe in Q3, in response to sources acquainted with the matter in a report from Automotive Information Europe.
South Korean newspaper Chosun Each day has stated that Hyundai plans to start manufacturing of the Casper EV in July, whereas deliveries of the automobile are anticipated to happen earlier than the top of the yr. The publication additionally says that the Casper EV will embrace a extra reasonably priced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, that includes a variety of about 200-300 km (125-187 miles).
As well as, Head of Hyundai France Lionel Keogh advised French publication Auto Moto that the Casper EV will likely be priced round 20,000 euros, considerably undercutting the automaker’s present most reasonably priced providing, the Kona EV, which is priced beginning at 36,400 euros within the German market.
Hyundai seeks to revive market share in China with new EV model
Experiences of a 20,000-euro mini EV from Hyundai for the European market have been circulating since 2022, although it was not recognized that it might be an electrical reboot of the Casper. On the time, Hyundai’s advertising and marketing lead in Europe, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, additionally echoed plans for focusing on a 20,000-euro worth level:
“Everyone within the trade is aware of the goal of this type of automobile is 20,000 euros,” he stated in the course of the Automotive Information Europe Congress occasion in Prague.
The EV would come as a competitor to different small battery-electric choices available in the market, such because the China-built Dacia Spring, the Renault Twingo EV and the Citroen e-C3, in addition to taking over soon-to-be-launched choices from Chinese language automakers like SAIC-owned MG Motors and BYD.
The gasoline model of the Casper that’s at the moment out there in South Korea measures about 3,595 mm lengthy, 1,595 mm broad and 1,575 mm tall, complying with the nation’s “mild automobile” laws. Camouflaged variations of the Casper have been noticed testing in Europe, seemingly measuring about 200 to 250 mm (eight to 10 inches) bigger than the model within the Korean market.
Hyundai is at the moment constructing a brand new EV manufacturing unit in South Korea, which broke floor in November and is predicted to value round $1.5 billion.
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