Hyundai Ioniq 5 second batch on sale soon; deliveries delayed to mid-2022
The Australian scramble for a Hyundai Ioniq 5 is set to get more intense as the company prepares for the next batch of up to 160 cars to go on sale online from December 16.
However, orders will initially only be opened to people living in Sydney or Canberra as part of a state-by-state approach designed to better manage the anticipated rush of orders.
A Hyundai spokesperson told us “it helps us manage thre ordering system and cutomser communication process” and that buyers from other capital cities would be able to place an order over coming weeks.
We’re assured the state-by-state ordering “won’t affect delivery timing”, although don’t expect the next batch of cars to flood in quickly.
Hyundai is warning that those lucky enough to secure an order of the futuristic mid-sized EV crossover may not take delivery until mid-2022 – or longer.In an email sent this week to about 15,000 people who had registered an expression of interest on the Hyundai website, the company encouraged owners to be online at midday AEST on Thursday December 16 to place an order for “the second online exclusive release of the all-new Ioniq 5”.
SPECS COMPARISON: Hyundai Ioniq 5 v Tesla Model 3 v Kia EV6 v Polestar 2 v Volvo XC40 EV
The same two highly-specified models will be on sale: a $71,900 single motor rear-drive or $75,900 dual motor all-wheel drive (each needs dealer and on-road costs added).
READ MORE: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Australian pricing and specifications confirmed
READ MORE: More affordable Hyundai Ioniq 5s coming some time
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FULL REVIEW: Hyundai Ioiniq 5 RWD
FULL REVIEW: Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD
However, the optional Gravity Matte Gold paint will be available for the first time.
But there are delays.
The company is warning that “we expect delivery times for the second release of Ioniq 5 could take 6 months or more”.
So even if you do get some good news around the ordering there’s potentially the sort of wait normally reserved for exclusive big-buck vehicles such as Ferraris and Rolls-Royces.
In preparing for the arrival of the Ioniq 5 months ago Hyundai said it would only get about 400 cars to sell before the end of 2021.
However, just 240 were sold within hours when the first batch went on sale in October, leaving the remaining 160 for the imminent pre-Christmas rush.
The Ioniq 5 is only being sold online – so no negotiating on price – and is initially being serviced through 11 “dedicated delivery partners” in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Canberra.
Sister brand Kia plans to sell its EV6 through its regular dealer network, rather than online. The company released more details about the Kia EV6, including that it would be initially offered in Australia with three model grades. However, the EV6 is expected to be more expensive than the Ioniq 5.
Hyundai is also picky about where it will sell Ioniq 5s.
Hyundai is happy to sell you one if you live in any capital city except Darwin, the company claiming “the Ioniq 5 is not yet available in your region” for our northern-most city.
Similarly, if you live in the major centres of Newcastle or Noosa you’ll also be told it’s no deal, at least for now.
That’s despite the Ioniq 5 having more than enough range to make it to the closest capital cities.
Even Wollongong – just 54 kilometres from the Hyundai “delivery partner” in Campbelltown – is deemed too far for the Ioniq 5.
And if you live in Townsville, Tamworth or Alice Springs you can forget it: no Ioniq 5s for you, at least for now.
About the furthest from a capital city we could find that Hyundai would sell you an Ioniq 5 is Geelong, 74km from Melbourne. Why the Ioniq 5 can drive from Geelong to Melbourne but not Wollongong to Sydney is something of a mystery…
All of which reinforces the frustration of would-be owners who were knocked back for their circa-$78,000 spend during the last Ioniq 5 sales round.
It also potentially hands a free kick to rivals, including newcomer Polestar – which is now selling the Polestar 2 – and the dominant EV brand in Australia Tesla, with its recently updated Model 3. Kia will also soon start selling the EV6, with the first examples hitting the road locally.
It also potentially hands a free kick to rivals, including newcomer Polestar – which is now selling the Polestar 2.
Incorrect. They are not selling the Polestar. They have had test drive sessions, but only in Sydney, they have taken $500 deposits, and only after paying a deposit does one learn that the next steps are :
1. Activate your Polestar ID
02.Review your order and add any extras (Expect to receive your email invitation early 2022)
03.Final order placement and payment
04.Production begins
I was advised that the production to delivery process is 12 weeks. That seems unlikely.
So taking orders say, 1 February, requires full payment before they even start production and delivery 3 months or more means to me a June delivery if one is lucky.
Assuming their grammar is correct, making a full payment 3 or 4 months before delivery, to a company new in the business, and based in China is so risky that no one sensible would enter such a contract.