Hyundai's €55M Battery Plant in Turkey & Local IONIQ 3 Production
Hyundai’s Giant Step in Turkey: €55 Million Battery Plant and the New IONIQ 3
The Turkish automotive industry is crossing another historic threshold in its transition to electric mobility. Operating continuously in Turkey for nearly 30 years, Hyundai Motor Turkey (HMTR) has officially announced a massive investment plan that will transform its Izmit plant into a global electric vehicle hub. The most critical part of this comprehensive plan, worth a total of €715 million, is the new battery assembly plant, which will be brought to life with a €55 million budget.
This strategic move, which will elevate Turkey's expertise in electric vehicle production and its local supplier infrastructure, will initially create new employment opportunities for over 300 people.
27 Advanced Robots and Full Automation in a 30,000 Square Meter Area
Located at Hyundai's production facilities in Izmit, the new battery plant features a fully automated structure meeting Industry 4.0 standards. Established in partnership with Hyundai Mobis and spread over a total area of 30,000 square meters, the facility employs 27 advanced robots that will handle the production processes entirely without human touch.
The technical details highlighting the production strategy and supply chain to be implemented at the factory are as follows:
- Battery Technologies: High-performance NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) battery cells are being sourced from Hungary, while all standard-range, cost-focused LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries will be imported from China. Using robotic automation systems, these cells will be assembled into ready-to-use battery packs at the new Izmit facility.
- Production Targets: Within the scope of the investment, which is now in its final stages, the facility is expected to produce 27,000 battery packs this year and over 40,000 units next year, depending on market demand.
- Investment for the Future: This robust infrastructure will serve as the backbone not only for near-future models but also for the brand's upcoming electric and hybrid vehicles that will roll off the assembly line.
When Will the Turkish-Built Hyundai IONIQ 3 Hit the Roads?
Hyundai IONIQ3
The primary and most crucial mission of the newly established battery assembly plant will be to power the IONIQ 3, Hyundai's second fully electric model to be produced in Turkey. Taking the lion's share of the €715 million total investment budget, the schedule for the IONIQ 3 project is now finalized:
- Mass Production Date: The new electric model will start rolling off the Izmit plant's assembly lines in August.
- Sales Schedule: It is scheduled to officially hit the roads in September.
- Version Options: The vehicle will be offered to consumers with two different battery capacities and power options, tailored to varying market needs.
Editor's Note: For all the details you are curious about regarding the design, range performance, and equipment packages of this highly anticipated model, you can check out our [Hyundai IONIQ 3 Detailed Review] article.
"A Critical Threshold for the Turkish Automotive Industry"
Sharing his views on this visionary investment, Murat Berkel, General Manager of Sales, Marketing, and After-Sales at Hyundai Motor Turkey, drew attention to the strategic importance of the Izmit plant within Hyundai's global network:
"At our Izmit plant, which is Hyundai's first overseas facility, we have produced 3.3 million vehicles since 1997. Today, as Hyundai Motor Turkey, we are extremely proud to announce this new battery investment. I believe this investment, which is highly significant for both the country and the Turkish automotive industry, will greatly contribute to our brand's growth in the region."
This strategic move by Hyundai elevates Turkey from being merely a vehicle assembly center to a significant player in battery technologies—the most critical component of electric vehicles. Consequently, the local supply chain and automotive sub-industry are expected to rapidly integrate into the global electric mobility ecosystem.