The most crucial 2026 EV launch? Hyundai’s global EV strategy being stress-tested with Elexio in Australia
The eyes of the Hyundai world including its biggest bosses are on Australia as the globally crucial Elexio electric SUV launches in Australia
The Elexio is the first Hyundai model – let alone EV – to be sold in Australia that is manufactured in China.
Australia is also the first market outside China where the Elexio is sold.
It has recently started manufacture at a plant Hyundai describes as the most advanced in the world by the Beijing Hyundai joint-venture.
READ MORE: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Base Review: Can this entry-level EV variant keep the cheaper BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y at bay?
READ MORE: Hyundai and Kia EV buyers to be subsidised: New backing from federal government lops interest rates on loans
READ MORE: Hyundai Staria people-mover switches to EV power: Korean brand aims to head off the inbound Kia PV5 and latest Ford E-Transit Custom
The flagship Elexio Elite is on on-sale now for $59,990 drive-away as an introductory price until the end of March, when it will rise to $61,990 plus on-road costs.
Pricing for the cheaper Elexio has not yet been confirmed but it will also come with an introductory price when it launches in the second quarter (April-June).
The five-seat five-door Elexio is seen within Hyundai globally as a litmus test for the wider export of its vehicles from China.
Global Hyundai Motor Company CEO Jose Munoz has been directly involved in the export plans for Elexio and received a face-to-face briefing from Hyundai Australia execs on the topic while in the country for the Australian Open tennis.
Unusually, Munoz was quoted in the press release detailing the launch of the Elexio in Australia. That task is usually left to the local management team.
“At Hyundai, we are committed to delivering electric mobility with superior quality, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional driving experience,” he was quoted as saying.
“Elexio embodies that commitment. As the first vehicle exported from our Beijing Hyundai joint venture, it demonstrates how we are leveraging our global manufacturing capabilities to deliver exceptional value to customers.
“With its spacious interior, impressive 546-kilometre range, and suspension tuned specifically for Australian roads, Elexio is built to meet the real needs of Australian families.”
Australia as a first market makes great sense for Elexio as Hyundai Australia urgently needs reinforcements for its slow-selling range of EVs.
It also arrives in the hottest and most competitive part of the EV market where models from China, Japan, Korea and Europe clash head-to-head.
Last year, Hyundai Australia CEO Don Romano candidly admitted the company has done “a terrible job” with its EV roll-outs.
Since then Romano has slashed the price of multiple EV lines and fast-tracked Elexio for Australia.
Now, Hyundai Australia chief executive officer Gavin Newsom – effectively running the local show as Romano has been promoted – says the arrival of Elexio is part of the proof the company has improved its EV performance.
“Statistically, order write? Yes. VFACTs [official sales figures] would say no, but sometimes there’s a delay in your order write versus your actual deliveries,” he said.
“There is still work to be done.
“Our order write lifted significantly in January. But we hadn’t launched Alexio at that stage, but all the other products showed some increase,.
“But we’ve also planned it to make sure that our EV strategy isn’t just like the light switch on.
“That’s not the case. You’re going to have to do some hard work to get it done, and we’ve built the plan to make sure that it grows month on month over the whole year.”
