Hyundai’s new $25,000 Inster EV will help double electric car sales in Europe this year - Related to surging, are, inster, sales, new
CATL says Chinese ‘EIVs’ are surging because they are affordable and more advanced
A new term is being used to describe Chinese electric vehicles. The latest buzzword in China is “EIV,” replacing the commonly used “EV.” ’s co-chairman, Chinese EIVs, or Electric Intelligent Vehicles, are surging as affordable options that offer more advanced tech and capabilities than traditional gas-powered cars.
CATL explains why Chinese EVs are being called EIVs.
It’s no secret by now that China is dominating when it comes to electric cars. , [website] million EVs were sold globally last year, 25% more than in 2023.
Chinese EVs accounted for over 64% of the share, with 11 million units sold. China saw the largest growth last year, up 40%, while the US and Canada sold around 9% more. After Germany ended subsidies, EV sales in Europe (EU, EFTA, UK) fell 3% to around 3 million.
At the World Economic Forum last week in Switzerland, CATL’s co-chairman explained that China’s rapid growth is due to what are now being called EIVs.
Pan expressed EV sales are surging because of “the perfect combination of E (electric) and I (intelligence).” The “E enables I, and it allows us to offer consumers a whole host of new aspects that simply weren’t possible with a traditional internal combustion engine,” he explained at the event (via Business Insider).
A CATL spokesperson stated the term is not widely used yet but is quickly gaining popularity in China. Newer, more advanced EVs are hitting the market with AI, driver assist systems (ADAS), and other software or connectivity tech.
For example, smartphone giant Xiaomi began delivering the SU7, powered by CATL batteries, last March. Starting at around $30,000 (RMB 215,900), the electric car is loaded with tech, including a [website]″, 3K ultra-clear infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay support) and a 56″ HUD.
Drivers can even control over 1,000 Xiamo home devices from their vehicles. With up to 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, LiDAR, and the NVIDIA Drive Orin platform, the SU7 includes advanced ADAS and self-driving elements.
CATL rival and China’s EV leader, BYD, is also heavily investing in ADAS technology. Last year, the corporation presented a RMB 100 billion ($14 billion) investment to become a leader in intelligent driving. BYD plans to include new smart driving tech as standard on vehicles priced over $42,000 (RMB 300,000).
Last month, CATL launched its new Bedrock Chassis, deeming it “the world’s first ultra-safe skateboard chassis.” The EV battery giant claimed the platform “activates a trillion yuan market” and will become the new standard for intelligent vehicle design.
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Hyundai and Kia are betting big on new electric SUVs to drive growth in 2025
Hyundai and Kia have high hopes for 2025 with new electric SUVs arriving. The IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV, and the smaller Kia EV5 and EV3 models are expected to lift sales this year. Here’s what to expect.
Although Hyundai Motor business, including Kia’s, global sales slipped 1% last year, the Korean auto giant expects things to pick up in 2025.
Hyundai Motor sold more than [website] million vehicles last year, down 1% from 2023. The lower sales were mainly due to less demand in its home market of Korea, while growth in the US and Europe helped offset it.
Hyundai (including Kia) aims to sell [website] million vehicles this year, representing a 2% increase from 2024 as new models roll out. The confidence comes as some of its most highly anticipated EVs hit the market.
A Hyundai Motor business official noted that despite the rapidly changing environment, “we are continuing to grow as sales in the North American region continue to expand.” Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to turn things around with new electric SUVs rolling out this year.
What Hyundai and Kia electric SUVs are coming in 2025?
After unveiling the IONIQ 9 at the LA Auto Show in November, Hyundai is expected to launch the larger electric SUV in the US and Korea in the first quarter of 2025, with full-scale sales in Q2.
At 5,060 mm ([website]″) long, 1,980 mm (78″) wide, and 1,790 mm ([website]″) tall, the IONIQ 9 is slightly bigger than Kia’s three-row EV9. The latter is already off to a strong sales start in the US, with over 22,000 models sold last year.
It’s also powered by a massive [website] kWh battery pack, which provides a driving range of up to 335 miles (620 km WLTP). In comparison, the EV9 has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 304 miles. Its “lounge-like” cabin is expected to offer more interior space.
The streamlined roof and flush exterior design allow an open, spacious interior with room for up to seven passengers. In the US, it will also come with a native NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Hyundai will build the larger electric SUV at its new manufacturing plant in Georgia alongside the updated 2025 IONIQ 5 as it expands US production. Prices and more will be revealed closer to the launch.
On the other hand, Kia will introduce several new EVs in 2025 as it expands its mass-market lineup. The EV5 will launch in Europe, Korea, and other global markets. It has been on sale in China since late 2023, starting at around $20,500 (149,800 yuan).
, the EV5 has already helped revamp Kia’s China business, with over 10,000 models sold in 2024.
After launching its even smaller EV3 SUV last summer, Kia’s EV3 was the top-selling electric vehicle in Korea through the second half of 2024. In November, Kia launched the EV3 in Europe, starting at around 36,000 euros ($38,000).
Although not an SUV, Kia is also launching the EV4, its take on an electric sedan. The EV4 follows the EV5 and EV3 in Kia’s mass-market electric car lineup.
After each sold over 200,000 electric vehicles last year, can Hyundai and Kia top it in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Hyundai’s new $25,000 Inster EV will help double electric car sales in Europe this year
Despite its small size, Hyundai expects big things from its new low-cost electric SUV. Starting at around $25,000, the Inster EV will be Hyundai’s main growth driver, as it plans to double electric car sales in Europe this year. Hyundai will also launch its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9.
After selling over 68,000 EVs in Europe last year, Hyundai’s CFO, Seung Jo Lee, stated the automaker is “looking to double that” in 2025.
On the firm’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Lee stressed Hyundai “will do our best to meet the emissions targets.” With new models arriving, Hyundai expects things to pick up this year.
The EU will fine automakers if they miss their 2025 targets for reducing CO2 emissions. Europe’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, also faces hefty fines of around $[website] billion ([website] billion euros).
(via Automotive News), Hyundai’s EV sales slipped 15% last year to 68,279 units. The biggest reason behind the fallout was 41% fewer electric car sales in Germany, where many brands saw EV sales slide after the government ended federal incentives.
Electric cars only accounted for 11% of Hyundai’s total sales in Europe last year, down from 15% in 2023. Doubling it would put it at over 20%, about where it would need to be to meet the EU’s CO2 targets.
Can Hyundai’s $25,000 Inster double EV sales in Europe?
Hyundai expects the new Inster EV, which starts at around $25,000 (€23,900) in Germany, to carry the bulk of the growth this year. Hyundai offers the low-cost electric SUV for just $207 (€199) per month with no down payment.
The entry-level model’s 42 kWh battery can provide a WLTP driving range of up to 203 miles (327 km). The long-range version, powered by a 49 kWh battery, can reach 230 miles (370 km).
Hyundai will launch the larger IONIQ 9 in Europe later this year. The IONIQ 9, unveiled at the LA Auto Show last November, is a slightly bigger and more upscale version of Kia’s EV9. At 5,060 mm ([website]″) long, 1,980 mm (78″) wide, and 1,790 mm ([website]″) tall, Hyundai’s SUV is slightly bigger than the EV9.
Although prices and specs will be revealed closer to launch, Hyundai stated the IONIQ 9 will have a WLTP range of 385 miles (620 km).
The Inster EV and IONIQ 9 will join the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Kona Electric as Hyundai expands its European lineup. Last year, Hyundai’s top-selling EV in Europe was the Kona Electric (36,526 units), accounting for over half of EV sales. The IONIQ 5 was second (22,830), followed by the IONIQ 6 (8,731).
Later this year, Hyundai is also expected to reveal the smaller IONIQ 3, which is expected to be closely related to Kia’s compact EV3 SUV.
After launching the EV3 in its home market last summer, Kia’s compact electric SUV was the top-selling EV in South Korea through the second half of 2024. In Europe, the EV3 starts at around $38,000 (€36,000).
Hyundai’s luxury Genesis brand confirmed that it will stop building gas-powered vehicles to become a “fully electrified brand” this year. However, that will include hybrids in the coming years. Genesis sold 1,383 EVs in Europe last year.
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Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3% | 10.0% | 10.5% | 11.6% | 12.3% | 12.7% | 12.8% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.9% | 11.7% | 12.4% | 12.8% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Connected Cars | 35% | 14.2% |
| Autonomous Driving | 22% | 18.5% |
| EV Technology | 28% | 21.9% |
| Telematics | 10% | 9.7% |
| Other Automotive Tech | 5% | 6.3% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Tesla | 16.9% |
| Waymo | 12.3% |
| NVIDIA DRIVE | 10.7% |
| Bosch | 9.5% |
| Continental | 7.8% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The Hyundai Electric Catl landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the automotive tech sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing automotive tech challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of automotive tech evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the security threats and defensive measures discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
ADAS intermediate
electric vehicle intermediate
lidar intermediate
hybrid intermediate
API beginner
How APIs enable communication between different software systemsplatform intermediate
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