Hyundai to focus on ICE and hybrid models in Malaysia – no plans for any new EVs in near future

No, the facelifted Ioniq 5 isn’t coming to Malaysia.

Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY) made its official debut in the country yesterday, unveiling three models that will form the core of its initial push over the coming year, these being the fifth-gen Santa Fe SUV, facelifted fourth-gen Tucson SUV and updated Staria MPV, all of which are internal combustion engine (ICE) or hybrid based.

Over the next five years, it will introduce seven models (including the above-mentioned trio), all slated for local assembly, with CKD production set to begin sometime in Q3 at the Inokom plant in Kulim. However, not one of the planned models will be a battery electric, with the company having stated previously that its CKD focus will only be on ICE vehicles as well as hybrids.

That was reiterated during the brand launch yesterday, with the company stating that EVs don’t figure in its immediate plans. “While the brand did have EVs in the market before, we are still studying the matter about its possible introduction.

“For now, we are going to just purely focus on ICE and HEV (hybrid) first. If the demand continues to increase, we will reconsider and see how we can move forward with the next step,” said HMY’s head of product, Sean Yeo.

ICE and hybrid products such as the Santa Fe, Tucson and Staria will be HMY’s primary CKD focus in Malaysia going into 2030.

Given that the brand has had a notable EV presence in the market previously, with models such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 as well as the Kona Electric coming about when Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) was the brand’s custodian, it sounds like a step backward in the larger scheme of things. However. HMY MD Jahabarnisa Haja Mohideen says EVs remain in the brand’s plans, but the matter will need quite a bit of exploration into first.

“We do have extensive lineup and BEVs are one of the core products we have globally. But to bring that in is something that we are studying, especially in terms of what would be the potential of growing the market for Hyundai and Malaysia. We have not looked deeply into that yet since we’re just starting up,” she said.

She added that the brand will see how take-up of EVs progress and what further government incentives will be made available in the future. “We will consider all that in the future planning,’ she said.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.