Hyundai Motor Türkiye Starts Production of IONIQ 3 as First Electric Vehicle Built at İzmit Plant
- Hyundai Motor Türkiye marks the beginning of Hyundai IONIQ 3 production with ceremony at its İzmit plant as first EV passenger car built by a foreign OEM in Türkiye
- First electric vehicle to be produced in İzmit is a significant milestone as part of Hyundai’s long-term strategic commitment in Türkiye, reinforcing the company’s local manufacturing journey
- İzmit plant has undergone significant updates as part of €250 million investment to accommodate IONIQ 3 EV production, including workforce transformation of more than 1,000 employees
- Hybrid production to bolster Hyundai Motor Türkiye’s advanced manufacturing approach with new BAYON and i20 models in 2027
Press material
Hyundai Motor Türkiye (HMTR) today officially marked the start of production of the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 3 at its İzmit manufacturing plant, marking a significant milestone in the company's electrification strategy and manufacturing operations in Europe.
The beginning of IONIQ 3 production follows a €250 million investment to accommodate EV production in Türkiye, driving a major transformation of the İzmit facility over the past two years.
More than 50 percent of the facility has been modernized to accommodate production of Hyundai's latest generation of electrified vehicles in line with the brand’s flexible powertrain strategy, while strengthening Türkiye's role as an increasingly important automotive manufacturing hub for Hyundai’s European customers.
Established in 1997, Hyundai Motor Türkiye has been manufacturing vehicles for almost 30 years, with a total of €1.185 billion invested over this period. Production of the new Hyundai IONIQ 3 ’Aero Hatch’ signifies a new chapter for the facility and underscores the company’s long-term strategic commitment to advanced manufacturing in Türkiye.
The company continues to support the growth of a robust infrastructure around its İzmit plant. Alongside the IONIQ 3, preparations for production of the next-generation Hyundai BAYON and Hyundai i20 highlight the company’s commitment to supporting the mobility industry supply chain in Türkiye.
As part of a collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group affiliate Hyundai Mobis, the addition of a Battery System Assembly plant located on site in İzmit, the facility will support the assembly of batteries for hybrid vehicles in the near future.
Mehmet Akif Yılmaz, Turkish Parliament Member; Ali Kibar, Kibar Holding Chairman; Xavier Martinet, Hyundai Motor Europe CEO and President; İlhami Aktaş, Kocaeli Governor; M. Fatih Kacır, Industry and Technology Minister; Sukjong Boo, Korean Ambassaor to Türkiye; Teayong Park, Türkiye Consul General; Alex Kim, Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO; Berna Abiş, Kocaeli Deputy Mayor (from left to right)
IONIQ 3 Production Ceremony Receives Support From Turkish Government and Business
The Start of Production ceremony was attended by Türkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır,, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Türkiye Sukjong Boo, Hyundai Motor Europe President and CEO Xavier Martinet and Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO Alex Kim, alongside representatives from national and local government, business and industry.
Speaking at the ceremony, Türkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said:
Hyundai Motor Türkiye will initially produce 30,000 IONIQ 3 vehicles annually in Türkiye with an investment of €250 million. Hyundai Motor Türkiye’s investment in the IONIQ 3 demonstrates that our next-generation mobility vision is gaining recognition among global automotive manufacturers and confirms Türkiye’s position as a reliable and scalable manufacturing hub. As Türkiye, we stand firmly behind all investors who invest, manufacture, develop technology, create skilled employment and help move our country further up global value chains.
The IONIQ 3, which enters production today, reflects Hyundai Motor Company’s vision for the future, technological excellence, and unwavering commitment to growing together with Türkiye’s automotive industry through advanced innovation.
The start of IONIQ 3 production marks an important milestone for our plant in İzmit and for Hyundai in Europe. Producing our first electric vehicle in Türkiye strengthens our manufacturing capabilities, increases our flexibility to respond to our customers' evolving needs, and supports our ambition to expand accessible electrified mobility across Europe.
İzmit Plant Transformation – Leading Manufacturing Excellence for a New Era
Alongside the modernization of the İzmit plant, the facility’s workforce has adapted with agility to ensure the highest level of quality for Hyundai’s European customers, serving the growing EV demand across the region.
We are proud to produce the first-generation IONIQ 3 in Türkiye. As part of our transformation process, approximately 50 percent of our plant has been modernized, with more than 1,000 employees taking on different roles throughout this transformation. The IONIQ 3 represents a long-term commitment for Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Europe and Hyundai Motor Türkiye alike. Looking ahead, we aim to continue investing in various areas to further enhance our production capabilities in the coming years.
Alex Kim, Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO
Today, Hyundai Motor Türkiye employs approximately 2,400 people across its İzmit manufacturing facility and headquarters in İstanbul.
As Hyundai's first and longest-serving overseas production facility, the İzmit plant continues to play a central role in serving the growing demand for sustainable mobility and forms a core pillar of the company’s advanced manufacturing approach.
Production of the IONIQ 3 will contribute to the region's economic development, with the vehicle planned to go on sale in September this year (dependent on market), available with two different battery and motor options.
Read more on the new Hyundai IONIQ 3 here:
