Hyundai Unveils Venus and Earth EV Concepts in China

Hyundai Motor Company unveiled two new electric vehicle concepts, Venus and Earth, on Friday as it officially launches its premium Ioniq brand in China. The sedan and SUV prototypes, tailored specifically for the Chinese market, preview a distinct design direction for the automaker's future EVs and will make their public debut at the Beijing Auto Show starting April 24.

The concepts mark Hyundai's renewed commitment to China, where the company has faced declining sales since 2017 amid a diplomatic dispute over a U.S. antimissile system deployment in South Korea. Once selling over 1.14 million units annually in 2016, Hyundai now operates three plants in the country after closing others due to sluggish demand. The Ioniq launch aims to revitalize its presence by offering bespoke electric models developed through its joint venture with Beijing BAIC Motor.

Venus, a sleek hatchback-style sedan, features a single-curve silhouette that departs from the boxy, pixel-lighted aesthetics of Hyundai's global Ioniq lineup, such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. Finished in Radiant Gold paint with forged carbon-fiber accents speckled in gold, it includes slim LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof,...