I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.Hyundai has paused production of the Kona Electric for the US market, skipping the 2026 model year due to high inventory levels and subdued demand. The automaker cites sufficient stock of the 2025 model to meet consumer needs. Production for the 2027 model is set to begin in June. The decline in demand is attributed to the vehicle's pricing and charging times, alongside broader market challenges following changes in electric vehicle tax credits. Other manufacturers, including Nissan and Volkswagen, are also omitting 2026 models in the US market.
According to US publication Car and Driver, which cites a Hyundai spokesperson, ‘sufficient stock of the 2025 model year Kona Electric is currently available to meet consumer demand.’ The spokesperson added that production of the 2027 model year Kona Electric is scheduled to begin in June.
While Car and Driver suggests this measure could reflect a global decision, it appears to affect only the US market. InsideEVs reports that production of the US-specification model at the South Korean factory has already been paused. Europe, which has its own Kona production line, is likely unaffected, and it is reasonable to assume that production will continue as usual. We have contacted Hyundai Motor Europe for clarification and will share their response as soon as it is available.
The high inventory levels at US dealerships are likely due to recently subdued demand. Although the Kona Electric is currently Hyundai’s most affordable battery-electric vehicle in the US, figures from Cox Automotive show that US sales of the model fell by 41 percent in 2025, dropping to 3,011 units. Hyundai itself has not released any official US sales figures for the model.
The decline in demand can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the model is relatively expensive for the technology it offers, even when compared internally to the slightly larger Ioniq 5. Additionally, the Kona Electric’s charging times no longer meet the expectations of 2026. However, broader market developments in the US also play a significant role: after the Trump administration halted the electric vehicle tax credit and further incentives remain uncertain, the US market for electric vehicles has generally seen a sharp decline.
This trend has led other manufacturers to make similar decisions. For example, Nissan will not offer a 2026 model year for the Ariya electric SUV in the US market, Acura has completely discontinued production of the ZDX, and Volkswagen has confirmed that there will be no 2026 model year for the ID. Buzz in the US—though an updated model for 2027 is planned.
caranddriver.com, insideevs.com