Automotive News Europe — 2024-02-04
Automotive Industry
Hyundai this year will launch a full-electric version of its Casper mini crossover in Europe that could sell for less than €20,000, according to reports.
The Casper would join a wave of small and mini EVs currently sold in the region or planned for Europe, including the China-built Dacia Spring, Renault's electric Twingo and the Citroen e-C3.
The EV would also give Hyundai a rival to low-cost electric cars being launched in Europe by Chinese automakers such as SAIC's MG Motors and BYD.
A person familiar with Hyundai’s plans told Automotive News Europe that the car is expected to be shown in Europe in the third quarter, with the first deliveries starting by the end of the year. A report in the South Korean newspaper Chosun Daily said production of the all-electric Casper will start in July.
Upcoming EVs include the Renault 5, several models from Volkwagen Group brands including a potential Twingo-based car and a battery-electric Fiat Panda. These cars would have a starting price of €25,000 or less.
The Casper is sold in South Korea with a three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine, a variant that will not be sold in Europe. It is based on the same platform as the i10 minicar that is built in Turkey and sold in Europe.
The full-electric Casper will be exported from the Gwangju factory in South Korea, where it will be produced alongside the gasoline version.
The Casper sold in South Korea is 3,595 mm long, 1,595 mm wide and 1,575 mm tall. Its dimensions are set to comply with regulations for “light cars,” which enjoy fiscal advantages.
Longer version
Spy shots of a camouflaged Casper in test drives in Sweden show a car that is 200-250 mm (eight to 10 inches) longer than the Korean version, to better cater for the needs of European customers.
According to the Chosun Daily report, the Casper EV will have a less-expensive lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a range of 200 km to 300 km (125 to 187 miles).
Hyundai's least-expensive EV in Europe is the Kona small SUV, which starts at €36,400 in Germany.
A Hyundai Europe spokesperson said the company would not comment on future plans.
Lionel Keogh, the head of Hyundai France, told the French magazine Auto Moto that the Casper EV will be priced around €20,000 and compete with the Dacia Spring and Citroen e-C3.
Hyundai Motor Europe’s marketing chief, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, told Automotive News Europe in 2022 that “Everybody in the industry knows the target of this kind of vehicle is €20,000.”
Hyundai Europe boss Michael Cole told Autom€otive News Europe last year that Hyundai would try to keep its customer base in both minicar and small car segments – where it sells the i10 and i20 hatchbacks -- with a vehicle covering both segments, like a merger of the A and B segments. “I think it would work for EVs,” he added.
Hyundai sold 68,653 i20s and 63,019 i10s in Europe in 2023, according to figures from Dataforce.