As car manufacturers intensify their electrification efforts to minimize pollution, a new trend of electrifying old known models is emerging. Aside from new electric car releases, companies are now reintroducing existing models in their electric version. Good news to you, Hyundai and Kia enthusiasts, Hyundai Motors is among these carmakers. Plans are underway to produce electric versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia Sorento. The group intends to invest over $87 billion by 2025 in these projects which include plans for not only electrification but also in autonomous driving.
Hyundai began producing the Tucson, a compact SUV, in 2004. Production continued for three generations to the present, selling a total of 831,537 by the end of 2018 and recording a 5-year positive growth in sales since 2013. All the three generations of Tucson were internal combustion engines, which Hyundai seeks to change with new versions of Tucson, in hybrid and plugin hybrid power trains in 2020. This move will be a development from the 2019 Hyundai Tucson 48V that was a mild hybrid to the next generation Tucson full hybrid and a plugin hybrid versions.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the other Hyundai model to be introduced in hybrid and plugin hybrid version in 2020. The vehicle, named after the city of Santa Fe in New Mexico, went in production in 2000 and was first released in 2001 as Hyundai’s pioneer mid/full-size SUV. Sales increased consistently, sending the Santa Fe to become one of Hyundai’s top-selling models. It was released in four generations, with the first produced from 2000 to 2006, the second from 2006 to 2012, the third from 2012 to 2017, and the fourth from 2018 to the present. This SUV, which was only available in internal combustion powertrain and mild hybrid, is slated to be upgraded to a hybrid and plugin hybrid version.
Hyundai Motors is also pushing to electrify Kia Sorento. The production of Sorento began in 2002 and was initially produced as a compact SUV until 2009 when it was redesigned into a mid-size crossover SUV. Three generations of Sorento have been released from 2002 to date, all powered by internal combustion engines. That is about to change, however, with the projected 2020 hybrid and plugin hybrid release of the Sorento.
We expect the year 2020 to be a year of significant changes in the motor world with the new wave of electrification, autonomous driving, and more AI tech. Keep yourself updated with the latest happenings in the automotive industry by following Carpart.com.au blog pieces and Carpart world news. We can also link you to the leading car and car parts suppliers in Australia for all your auto parts needs.