South Korea’s biggest carmaker, Hyundai Motor, plans to launch two major models of the Ioniq in Europe in the third quarter, a high-ranking company official said Wednesday.

Hyundai Motor plans to start selling the hybrid and full-electric (EV) versions of the Ioniq during the third quarter, followed by the launch of its plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) version during the first half of next year. 

The plans were unveiled by Thomas Schmid, a vice president of Hyundai Motor’s unit in Europe, at a motor show in Geneva. 

The Ioniq is the first eco-friendly vehicle model developed by Hyundai Motor based on its own production platform. Its hybrid version was launched in Korea in January, and its whole three car lineup that includes the EV and PHEV is on display during the current motor show in the European city.

Hyundai Motor claims that the Ioniq will become a competitive model that customers will choose over the long-time market leader Prius of Toyota, saying it has excellent fuel efficiency and overall driving performance.

Michael Cole, a vice president of the local unit of Kia Motors, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor, said the automaker aims to sell about 425,000 cars in Europe this year, a 9 percent growth from a year earlier. He added that the company would push to sell more than 500,000 units a year within five years.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)