Hyundai Motor Türkiye has started production of the all-electric Ioniq 3 at its İzmit facility, making it the first electric passenger car built in Türkiye by a foreign automaker. The move follows a €250 million investment to modernise the plant, with more than half of the facility upgraded and over 1,000 employees retrained. Hyundai initially plans to produce 30,000 Ioniq 3 vehicles annually.
Key Overview
- 30,000 vehicles: Initial annual Ioniq 3 production capacity in Türkiye.
- €250 million: Investment made to prepare the İzmit facility for EV production.
- 50%+ of the plant modernised: More than half of the facility has been upgraded.
- 1,000+ employees: Workers were retrained and moved into new roles.
- First foreign OEM: The Ioniq 3 is the first electric passenger car produced in Türkiye by a foreign automaker.
- Battery production: Hyundai Mobis is supporting a new battery system assembly facility at İzmit.
- 2027 expansion: Hybrid versions of the next-generation Bayon and i20 are planned for production.
Hyundai Begins Ioniq 3 EV Production in Türkiye
Hyundai Motor Türkiye has started manufacturing the all-electric Ioniq 3 at its İzmit facility, marking a significant expansion of electric vehicle manufacturing in Türkiye.
The development makes the Ioniq 3 the first electric vehicle (EV) passenger car produced in Türkiye by a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
The start of production follows a €250 million investment to transform the İzmit plant for electric vehicle production. More than 50% of the facility has been modernised over the past two years as Hyundai prepares the site for a greater role in the company’s electrification strategy.
Türkiye’s Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, said Hyundai Motor Türkiye would initially produce 30,000 Ioniq 3 vehicles annually at the facility.
The investment strengthens Türkiye’s position as a manufacturing base for electric vehicles targeting the European market.
İzmit Plant Undergoes Major Transformation
The transition to EV production has involved substantial changes to Hyundai Motor Türkiye’s manufacturing operations.
More than 1,000 employees have been retrained and moved into different roles as the İzmit facility has been adapted for electric vehicle production.
HMTR’s workforce currently stands at approximately 2,400 employees across the İzmit plant and the company’s İstanbul head office.
Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO Alex Kim said the company was proud to produce the first-generation Ioniq 3 in Türkiye.
He added that approximately half of the plant had been modernised and that the company planned to continue investing to strengthen its production capabilities.
The workforce transformation highlights the broader impact of the shift towards electric mobility, with automotive manufacturing requiring new skills in areas such as battery systems, electric drivetrains and high-voltage vehicle technology.
Hyundai Expands Local Battery Capabilities
Hyundai is also strengthening its local battery assembly capabilities.
Working with Hyundai Mobis, another Hyundai Motor Group affiliate, the company has established a Battery System Assembly plant at İzmit. The facility will handle battery assembly for hybrid models.
The battery facility forms part of a broader €715 million investment package, with approximately €55 million allocated specifically to the battery assembly operation.
The development is intended to deepen Hyundai’s local manufacturing capabilities while supporting the company’s wider electrification strategy in Türkiye.
Local battery-related production can also help integrate more of the electric and hybrid vehicle supply chain into the country’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem.
Ioniq 3 Targets the European EV Market
The Ioniq 3 was unveiled by Hyundai in April 2026 and was developed by Hyundai Motor Europe with the European market as its primary focus.
The compact electric hatchback is based on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and expands the company’s Ioniq battery-electric vehicle lineup.
The model is designed to compete in Europe’s increasingly crowded electric vehicle market, where automakers are introducing more affordable and compact EVs.
The Ioniq 3 is expected to reach dealerships in September 2026, although availability will depend on individual markets.
Hyundai has also reported strong customer interest in the new model, describing it as having generated the highest level of customer interest recorded for a new Hyundai model, across both electric and conventional vehicles.
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Two Battery Options for Ioniq 3
The Ioniq 3 will be offered with different battery and motor configurations.
In the UK, Hyundai has opened orders for four versions: Advance, Premium, Ultimate, and N Line Evo.
The entry-level Advance model uses a 42 kWh battery and has a WLTP range of up to 213 miles.
Higher-specification versions use a larger 61 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 308 miles.
The UK entry price for the Advance version with the 42 kWh battery starts at £22,245, while models equipped with the larger battery start at £25,745.
Hyundai says the pricing is intended to make electric mobility accessible to a wider group of consumers.
More Electrified Models Planned for İzmit
Hyundai’s transformation of the İzmit facility extends beyond the Ioniq 3.
The company plans to introduce hybrid versions of the next-generation Bayon and i20 at the plant in 2027.
This means the facility is expected to support a combination of battery-electric and hybrid vehicle production as Hyundai continues to diversify its electrified vehicle manufacturing.
The strategy could help Hyundai respond to different levels of EV adoption across European markets while increasing the utilisation of its Turkish production base.
Türkiye Strengthens Its EV Manufacturing Role
The investment positions Türkiye as an increasingly important location for EV production in Türkiye and European markets.
The country’s established automotive manufacturing sector, existing supply chains and proximity to European markets provide a foundation for expanding electric vehicle production.
Hyundai’s decision to manufacture the Ioniq 3 locally also demonstrates the growing importance of Türkiye within the company’s European production strategy.
The addition of battery assembly capabilities could further strengthen the country’s role as manufacturers shift towards more integrated electric vehicle supply chains.
Outlook
Hyundai’s launch of Ioniq 3 EV production in Türkiye marks an important milestone in the country’s transition towards electric vehicle manufacturing.
The €250 million investment has modernised more than half of the İzmit plant, retrained more than 1,000 employees and created an initial annual production capacity of 30,000 vehicles.
The additional battery assembly facility and planned hybrid production for the Bayon and i20 show that Hyundai is building a broader electrified manufacturing base rather than focusing on a single model.
As the Ioniq 3 reaches European markets from September 2026, its sales performance will be important in determining how quickly Hyundai can scale its electric vehicle strategy from its Turkish manufacturing hub.
FAQs
1. What is Hyundai producing in Türkiye?
Hyundai Motor Türkiye has started producing the all-electric Ioniq 3 at its İzmit facility.
2. How much did Hyundai invest in the İzmit plant?
Hyundai invested €250 million to prepare the facility for electric vehicle production, with more than 50% of the plant modernised.
3. How many Ioniq 3 vehicles will Hyundai produce annually?
The initial planned production capacity is 30,000 Ioniq 3 vehicles per year.
4. What other electrified vehicles will Hyundai produce in Türkiye?
Hyundai plans to produce hybrid versions of the next-generation Bayon and i20 at the İzmit facility from 2027.
Sources: Just Auto, RestProperty, electrek,Yahoo Finance
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