Attending the IONIQ 3 production launch ceremony, Minister of Industry and Technology Fatih Kacır stated, “[Quote to be inserted].”
Hyundai Motor Europe CEO Xavier Martinet remarked, “Our decision to produce the IONIQ 3 in Turkey reflects Hyundai’s confidence in Türkiye and the potential the country holds as part of Europe’s mobility transformation. And this confidence extends beyond the IONIQ 3.”
Hyundai Motor Turkey (HMTR), which has been operating in the country for nearly 30 years, has started mass production of the fully electric IONIQ 3 model at its production hub in İzmit. With this step, Hyundai has achieved a significant milestone in its electrification strategy and European manufacturing operations. A comprehensive transformation took place at the İzmit plant over the past two years to facilitate IONIQ 3 mass production; this transformation established the necessary infrastructure for next-generation electric vehicle manufacturing while aiming to strengthen Turkey’s position as a production hub. Eighty percent of the vehicles produced at the İzmit plant are exported, underscoring HMTR’s vital role in supporting both the Turkish economy and Hyundai’s regional strategy and manufacturing operations. A Reliable Production Hub Driving Growth and Export Success
Hyundai’s İzmit plant—operational since 1997 and the company’s longest-running overseas facility outside South Korea—boasts an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles and a cumulative production volume exceeding 3.4 million units. Having exported over 2.6 million vehicles—primarily to Europe—HMTR makes a significant contribution to the Turkish automotive industry. Investments include €1.47 billion injected into HMTR since 1997, as well as a planned €715 million for the IONIQ 3, the refreshed i20, and the Bayon (encompassing electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine models).
The IONIQ 3 Mass Production Launch Ceremony, held at HMTR’s factory in İzmit, was attended by Minister of Industry and Technology Fatih Kacır, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Turkey Sukjong Boo, Hyundai Motor Europe (HME) CEO Xavier Martinet, HMTR CEO Alex Kim, and Kibar Holding CEO Ali Kibar, alongside HMTR officials, representatives from central and local government, and members of the business community.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Industry and Technology Fatih Kacır said, “With an investment of 250 million Euros, Hyundai Motor Turkey will initially produce 30,000 IONIQ 3 units annually in our country. Hyundai Motor Turkey’s IONIQ 3 investment serves as proof that our vision for next-generation mobility resonates with global automotive manufacturers and that our country is positioned as a reliable and scalable production hub. As Turkey, we stand by all investors who invest, produce, develop technology, create skilled employment, and propel our country to higher levels within global value chains.”
Sukjong Boo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Turkey, stated, “The IONIQ 3, which enters production today, reflects Hyundai Motor Turkey’s future-oriented vision, technological excellence, and unwavering commitment to growing alongside the Turkish automotive sector through advanced innovation.”
While the production of the new Hyundai IONIQ 3 ‘Aero Hatch’ model marks the beginning of a new era for the factory, preparations for the production of the next-generation Hyundai BAYON and Hyundai i20 models—alongside the IONIQ 3—further demonstrate HMTR’s commitment to supporting Turkey’s domestic automotive supply industry.
Highlighting Turkey’s importance to Hyundai Motor Europe (HME) in this context, Xavier Martinet, CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “Turkey boasts a strong automotive tradition, a skilled workforce, a competitive supplier base, and a strategic location between Europe and Asia. Our decision to manufacture the IONIQ 3 here reflects Hyundai’s confidence in Türkiye and the potential the country holds as part of Europe’s mobility transformation. And this confidence extends beyond the IONIQ 3.”
Alex Kim, CEO of Hyundai Motor Turkey, stated: “We are proud to manufacture the IONIQ 3 in Türkiye. As part of our transformation process, approximately 50 percent of our plant has been modernized, and over a thousand employees have taken on new roles throughout this transition. The IONIQ 3 represents a long-term commitment for Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Europe, and Hyundai Motor Turkey. We aim to continue investing in various areas to further increase our production capacity in the coming years.”