Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kona EV Production Temporarily Halted Again

KatadataOTO – For the fourth time this year, Hyundai has again temporarily halted production of the Ioniq 5 and Kona EV (Electric Vehicle) at Ulsan Plant 1, South Korea, starting June 25, 2025.

Reported by The Korean Car Blog, Thursday (26/06), the temporary stoppage was carried out in February, April, and May. All of them lasted for four days.

Various sources mention that this is due to slowing demand for electric cars in the global market.

Automotive manufacturers now have to face various pressures from Chinese manufacturers, in terms of both price and technology.

Photo : Hyundai

Hyundai is also said to be affected by this competition. Exports of their flagship electric car, the Ioniq 5, were reportedly only 2,449 units. Previously this year, it had reached 8,000 units.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Kona EV exports recorded a lower result of 234 units.

To boost sales again, Hyundai has started implementing various programs and promotions for consumers.

For example, the purchase of an Ioniq 9 or Ioniq 5 is now bundled with a Charge Point Home Flex Level 2 charging device.

Looking at the Indonesian market, Chinese car brands are starting to dominate the retail sales charts (dealer to consumer).

Meanwhile, wholesales figures, or distribution from factory to dealer, are also largely occupied by Chinese brands.

Based on data processed by KatadataOTO from Gaikindo (Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries), Hyundai ranked eighth in wholesales throughout May 2025.

The top three were filled by BYD Sealion 7, BYD M6, and the premium MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) Denza D9.

Photo : Hyundai

Meanwhile, in April 2025, Hyundai did not even make it into the top 10. Three models from BYD remained, while the rest were Chinese products from Wuling, Geely, and Aion.

Hyundai's decision in South Korea does not seem to affect Indonesia. This is because the distribution of units from the factory to dealers is still running normally, although the numbers have slowed.

Hyundai will face increasingly fierce competition in the electric car market this year, considering that various new products from China are ready to enter the market in the near future.