Hyundai's Latest Electric SUV May Dodge Tariff Bullet Hits

• In 2026, the production of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 begins at the facility in Ellabell, Georgia, marking the official opening of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.
• The construction of the new facility was completed within just two years and will ultimately manufacture vehicles for three marques: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
• The upcoming three-row fully electric SUV is anticipated to provide more than 300 miles of range and will be manufactured with both single-motor and dual-motor setups.

Just days before the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration were scheduled to take effect , Hyundai commenced the manufacturing of the Ioniq 9 SUV At its recently launched facility in Georgia, the luxurious three-row model—which stands as the biggest SUV for this brand by far—has been introduced. This vehicle is built on the same widely used E-GMP platform that supports many of the company’s smaller vehicles.

With a wheelbase of 123.2 inches, the Ioniq 9 has an overall length of 199.2 inches, making it only slightly longer than both the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade.

The squared-off design of the Ioniq 9’s body provides ample space in the rear compartment, offering 46.7 cubic feet of cargo area with the third row folded down—a notable advantage compared to many competitors who opt for sloping hatchbacks that eat up interior volume.

The 110.3-kWh battery will drive all iterations of the Ioniq 9; however, potential purchasers can decide their required power output based on the climatic conditions they expect to encounter.

The basic Long-Range RWD version will come with a sole 215-horsepower engine at the rear, whereas the Long-Range AWD variant will feature an additional 94-horsepower motor on the front axle.

The Performance model, on the other hand, will feature dual 215-horsepower engines working together to offer enhanced overall power and versatility in various weather conditions.

The model's EPA range estimate and pricing details are anticipated to be disclosed shortly, right before the launch of sales in the U.S. However, we predict an initial cost slightly above $60,000 and a driving distance of around 330 miles per charge.

The factory in Ellabell, Georgia, known as Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, was constructed in an impressively brief timeframe—under two years from the groundbreaking ceremony until the production of the initial vehicles rolled out. This facility will manufacture cars for Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia brands, with plans to introduce another model bearing a Kia emblem in 2026.

The automaker stated that HMGMA can initially manufacture 300,000 vehicles per year.

The production of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 commenced at the facility last October, which also makes this particular model exempt from import tariffs for now. as delivered The acquisition of raw materials and parts is anticipated to impact American-based auto suppliers too.

Similar to the case of the Ioniq 9, it’s primarily the indirect consequences for suppliers and various stakeholders that car manufacturers operating within the U.S. will be concerned about regarding their domestically produced vehicles, instead of facing immediate import duties.

Therefore, no car manufacturer will remain unaffected by the impact of these import tariffs.

"Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America not only represents the Group’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation, but also our investment in relationships with our partners and communities right here in Georgia," said Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group.

That week, several models from the automaker, such as the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Hyundai Kona, and the Ioniq Electric hatchback, obtained access to 20,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S., thanks to CCS-NACS adapters.

Hyundai along with its sister companies is also included. the updated IONNA charging network Along with other car manufacturers, although it will require several years before the group's impact is widely noticed across much of the nation.

Will the proposed tariffs lead consumers to opt for smaller and more budget-friendly cars, or Will the market stay mostly unchanged regarding people's preferences for car body styles? Please comment below.

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