Sudden Stop While Driving?
Critical Flaw Discovered in Hyundai Motor Group Vehicles
Major Electric Vehicle Recall in the US
Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, has issued a significant recall of more than 200,000 electric vehicles in the US due to a potentially dangerous flaw in the vehicles’ power systems. The recall stems from a defect in the Integrated Charge Control Unit (ICCU), a key component in the group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). This defect affects the low-voltage 12-volt battery, which is charged by power from the high-voltage system. If the ICCU fails, it can cause the 12-volt battery to lose charge, leading to a sudden power loss and a potential vehicle shutdown while driving.
According to a notice submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this defect could result in a sudden and unsafe stop, posing a significant safety risk to drivers. The affected vehicles are models from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, spanning several years of production.
All Genesis electric vehicle models and Hyundai and Kia’s main electric vehicle models
The vehicles affected by this recall include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2022-2024), Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2023-2025), Kia EV6 (2022-2024), Genesis G80 Electrified (2023-2024), Genesis GV70 Electrified (2023-2025), and Genesis GV60 (2025). Hyundai and Kia have also previously recalled the EV9 in the US due to safety concerns with the Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) system, which has been linked to low-speed crashes.
In South Korea, there have been reports of crashes into parked cars while the function is in operation. In investigating the cause, Kia has confirmed that the brake pressure is not sufficiently applied at speeds of less than 3.2 km/h (2.0 mph). The recall will be carried out through a simple software update at dealerships.
Will it hold back Genesis, which is growing rapidly in the US?
Following a recent recall, there is growing concern about whether Genesis will face a setback in its brand image. Luxury electric vehicles now comprise around 25% of the US EV market, and Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, is emerging as a quiet contender. While its rise has been somewhat under the radar, Genesis continues to build momentum in the US luxury electric vehicle market. The brand currently offers three electric models in the US: the GV60, G80 Electrified, and GV70 Electrified.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a leading automotive market analysis firm, the GV70 Electrified shows the strongest sales potential among these models. It gained significant traction in 2023 and sold 2,343 units from January to September 2024. Experts predict this momentum will continue into 2024, further solidifying the GV70 Electrified as a top performer in the US luxury EV segment.
Hyundai Motor Group, the 2nd largest electric vehicle market in the US
What will be the result of this defect?
Hyundai Motor Group reported on November 4 that its US sales for October 2024 increased by 17.4% year-over-year, totaling 147,613 units. This marks the largest sales growth of the year, with all three brands—Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia—setting new records for the month.
Electric vehicle sales also grew strongly, reaching 9,985 units, a 30.3% increase compared to the previous year. The Ioniq 5 led the charge with a 51% year-over-year increase, selling 4,498 units.
As Hyundai continues to achieve impressive sales figures, the automotive industry is watching closely to see whether the recent recall will affect this growth, with concerns over potential impacts on future performance.
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