Hyundai Motor Co. is trimming its automotive lineup to concentrate on crossovers and its budding battery-electric Ioniq subbrand.
For the 2023 mannequin 12 months, the Korean automaker will lower the Accent subcompact sedan, the Veloster N hatchback and each the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the Ioniq compact automotive.
The final sedans standing for the model would be the Ioniq 6 all-electric midsize sedan that may go on sale in early 2023, and the midsize Sonata and compact Elantra, which Hyundai says are each nonetheless in demand in a market now dominated by crossovers.
“Like a few of our opponents, we now have determined to remain within the passenger automotive enterprise, and a few of our best-performing automobiles, like Elantra or like Sonata, are nonetheless doing fairly effectively,” Hyundai Motor Co. COO Jose Munoz mentioned throughout a media briefing this week on the firm’s R&D heart in Michigan.
By way of June, gross sales of the Sonata slid 64 p.c and gross sales of the Elantra slid 34 p.c, as Hyundai prioritizes manufacturing of its higher-margin crossovers and electrical automobiles. However the Elantra ended 2021 up 18 p.c, with gross sales topping 124,420. Sonata gross sales hit 93,142 final 12 months, representing a rise of 21 p.c.
Each sedans supply a hybrid variant, and hybrids are an vital a part of Hyundai’s electrification technique because it strives to satisfy stringent emissions rules within the U.S. by 2026. Hyundai additionally believes that providing fuel patrons extra electrified choices will assist ease them into EVs sooner or later.
“The technique of getting not solely battery EVs, however having extra conventional ICE fashions together with hybrids — like Elantra additionally having a hybrid model, Sonata additionally having a hybrid model — is working effectively,” Munoz mentioned.
Hyundai will now depend on the Venue subcompact crossover to fill the outgoing Accent’s entry-level position. The Venue mixes gas effectivity and trendy styling intently associated to Hyundai’s flagship three-row Palisade. Pricing has not been introduced for the 2023 mannequin, however the present mannequin 12 months Venue is $20,295, together with transport.
Eradicating the Veloster N will enable Hyundai to refocus its performance-oriented N model, which added the Kona subcompact crossover and the Elantra for 2022.
The Kona N makes use of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 2022 Kona N prices $35,495 with transport. The Elantra N provides the identical powertrain and prices $34,745. There is also a guide transmission choice, which prices barely much less. Hyundai has not introduced pricing for the 2023 mannequin 12 months.