Hyundai Motor Türkiye has officially launched the series production of its fully electric IONIQ 3 model at its manufacturing plant in İzmit, marking a significant milestone for the company’s regional electrification strategy and European operations, according to corporate announcements and reports from Yeni Akit and Bloomberg HT.
The manufacturing milestone arrives after a comprehensive two-year transformation of the İzmit facility, which has operated since 1997 as Hyundai’s longest-running overseas production base outside South Korea. Plant leadership reports that roughly half of the factory has been modernized to accommodate the next-generation electric vehicle platform, with more than 1,000 employees taking on new operational roles during the refitting process.
According to official disclosures, the İzmit plant maintains an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and has accumulated a total output exceeding 3.4 million units. The facility historically exports approximately 80% of its manufactured output—totaling more than 2.6 million vehicles shipped primarily to European markets—cementing its strategic weight within both the Turkish automotive sector and Hyundai’s broader footprint.
Official Launch Event and Ministerial Statements
The commencement of line production was commemorated with an official inauguration ceremony held at the İzmit manufacturing complex. Attendees included Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş, Republic of Korea Ambassador to Turkey Boo Sukjong, Hyundai Motor Europe CEO Xavier Martinet, Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO Alex Kim, and Kibar Holding Chairman Ali Kibar, alongside local officials and industry representatives.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that Hyundai Motor Türkiye is initiating production of 30,000 IONIQ 3 units annually during the initial phase under a €250 million investment, as reported by Yeni Akit. Minister Kacır noted that the project demonstrates how Turkey’s next-generation mobility vision resonates with global automakers seeking scalable manufacturing hubs.
Ambassador Boo Sukjong added that the start of production reflects Hyundai Motor Türkiye’s long-term commitment to technological advancement and sustainable growth within the Turkish industrial ecosystem, according to Yeni Akit.
Investment Scale and Supply Chain Integration
The IONIQ 3 rollout represents a fresh chapter for the İzmit facility, which manufactures the “Aero Hatch” variant alongside preparations for the next-generation Hyundai Bayon and Hyundai i20 models. Financial figures released during the event outline that total cumulative investments by Hyundai in its Turkish venture have reached €1.47 billion since 1997, complemented by an additional €715 million earmarked for the IONIQ 3, i20, and Bayon production lines covering electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine configurations, as detailed by Bloomberg HT.
Hyundai Motor Europe CEO Xavier Martinet emphasized Turkey’s industrial advantages during the ceremony, pointing to the country’s established automotive traditions, skilled labor force, and competitive supplier base situated between European and Asian markets. “Our decision to produce the IONIQ 3 here reflects Hyundai’s confidence in Turkey and its potential as part of Europe’s mobility transition,” Martinet said.
Hyundai Motor Türkiye CEO Alex Kim echoed these remarks, noting that the factory updates reinforce local supply chain resilience and position the company for expanded output in the coming years. Official retail pricing for the IONIQ 3 is slated for announcement by corporate management next month.
Industry observers and prospective buyers can monitor official Hyundai channels and announcements from the Ministry of Industry and Technology for upcoming delivery timelines and market debut schedules. Readers are encouraged to share their insights or join the discussion in the comments section below.
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