Hyundai has officially discontinued the Kona Electric in India, five years after its launch in July 2019. While the new-generation Kona Electric is available internationally, Hyundai plans to replace it in India with the more budget-friendly Creta EV, which is set to debut early next year.
The Kona Electric has been removed from Hyundai’s Indian website, but some dealers are still offering unsold units at discounted prices, depending on stock availability.
Kona Electric’s Market Performance
The Kona Electric struggled against more affordable electric SUVs like the Tata Nexon EV. It featured a 39.2 kWh battery, delivering an ARAI-rated range of 452 km. Hyundai introduced the Kona Electric as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit, pricing it initially at Rs 25.30 lakh. Despite a price reduction of almost Rs 2 lakh, the higher price point and competition from cheaper e-SUVs like the MG ZS EV and Mahindra XUV400 resulted in lower sales. Hyundai sold 2,329 units over 59 months, averaging about 39 cars per month.
Future Plans with Creta EV
The next-gen Kona Electric is available in markets like Indonesia, but there are no plans for its launch in India. Instead, Hyundai will introduce the Creta EV, which is anticipated to be a high-volume electric SUV in India. Scheduled for a January release, the Creta EV will incorporate several elements from the Kona Electric, including its motor, battery, and some interior components, but will leverage the Creta’s body panels and platform to reduce costs.
Positioned at a more competitive price point, the Creta EV aims to capture a significant market share. The midsize e-SUV segment in India is set to grow with new entrants like the Tata Curvv EV and electric models from Toyota and Maruti, expected to be priced similarly.
Overall, Hyundai’s strategy focuses on localizing the Creta EV to offer a more affordable and attractive option in the competitive Indian electric vehicle market.
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