Hyundai Motor Co. launched its all-electric Ioniq lineup brand in China and unveiled two design concept vehicles developed for China at an event in Beijing ahead of Auto China 2026 (the Beijing Auto Show) that opens to the public on April 24. The April 7-10 Brand Launch Event included about 400 Chinese journalists and influencers at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing.

Alongside the concepts, the brand presented a strategy aimed at strengthening its position in the Chinese market, expanding the Ioniq brand’s lineup beyond vehicles into a mobility experience. The company says that the two all-electric concepts—the Venus “trendsetting” sedan and the Earth “dependable family” SUV—signal the beginning of this new chapter and highlight its readiness for China’s NEV (new energy vehicle) market.

“Starting with the two concept cars unveiled today, we will continue to present products that reflect deep insight into Chinese customers and our genuine commitment to this market,” said Li Fenggang, President at Beijing Hyundai Motor Co. “Built on Ioniq’s uncompromising principles of world-class safety and quality, we will soon introduce production models that seamlessly combine the smart driving and smart cabin experiences that Chinese consumers demand.”

As Hyundai Motor’s dedicated all-electric vehicle lineup brand, Ioniq quickly became a global benchmark for innovation, design, and quality built on critically acclaimed models such as the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 9. High-performance models, such as the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N, have also reinforced the brand’s leadership in electric performance, with the latter recently named 2026 World Performance Car during the 2026 New York International Auto Show.

In October for China, Hyundai launched a new Elexio all-electric SUV tailored for the Chinese market that is competitively priced and offers “family-centric” design that focuses on safety, impressive 722 km (449 mi) CLTC range, and smart features. Built on the corporate E-GMP platform, it set the foundation for Hyundai’s long-term new NEV strategy and electrification plans in China.

The more evolved and broader mobility ecosystem strategy for China will be tailored to local customers through localized technologies, services, and user experiences for China’s fast-evolving NEV market. As part of this strategy, the brand is introducing a unique naming convention tailored for China named after “planets,” symbolizing how each vehicle “orbits around the customer,” the central focus of the new “Ioniq universe.”

“We chose to be ‘The Origin,’ something entirely new—recognizable at a glance from a distance, with a powerful presence on the road, and delivering what we call a ‘Best in First Impression,’ said Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center at Hyundai Motor Co. “‘The Origin’ is our declaration: ‘Lead, don’t follow.’ It is the point from which our movement begins. Our ambition is to set a new direction.”

The concepts are the first tangible results of the new China strategy, serving as a design “barometer” for future Ioniq production models, featuring unique single-curve silhouettes.

The Venus (Iconic Sedan) is inspired by the brightest planet’s beauty and is finished in Radiant Gold. Its high-tech exterior features a lightweight, exposed-frame roof and a transparent spoiler.

The driver-focused, wrap-around cockpit evokes Venus’s “glowing atmosphere” with layered mood lighting. A strong material contrast between soft suede and solid, chrome-gold seatback covers is meant to enhance the premium feel. A friendly Lumi character is integrated into the design for a connection between driver and vehicle.

The Earth (Powerful SUV) is finished in Aurora Shield, with the balance between sharp edges and sculpted volumes is meant to create a futuristic image alongside robust details such as skid plates and exposed bolt accents.

The interior is a “small Earth” comfortable, featuring innovative “air-hug” seats made of soft air modules. Serene mood lighting that mimics tree shadows and “shy-tech” elements are designed to create a calm space, while a fun Aero character and hidden map patterns of Beijing offer a sense of discovery.

At the event, Hyundai provided a glimpse into exclusive Ioniq technologies tailored for Chinese customers. Among them are the introduction of autonomous driving systems developed with local partners and the adoption of market-specific solutions such as EREVs (extended range electric vehicles). These technologies reflect the brand’s commitment to returning to the market with a truly human-centric philosophy, prioritizing tangible benefits that address the real-world needs of Chinese consumers.