Hyundai NZ also moving to sort Series I editions caught up in global recall.

AN update of one of the country’s favourite electric cars just hitting New Zealand has been cleared of an issue blighting the model.

Hyundai New Zealand has assured that a mid-life facelift of its Kona Electric just releasing here now is free from a battery issue that, having been determined to be a potential fire danger, has triggered a global recall and seemingly resulted in the model being pulled from sale in South Korea last week.

Asked if the Kona Electric II was likely to be affected by the issue, which has been linked to fires in at least a dozen cars – none in New Zealand – and resulted in the pre-facelift line being subject to a global fix likely to cost the brand several billion dollars, spokeswoman Kimberley Waters said: “No, the issue was identified and corrected in production.”

Meantime, Hyundai New Zealand says it has replacement batteries en route for versions of the first generation car released here in 2018 that it has identified as requiring remedial work.

The action has yet to be identified on the national new vehicle recall database, run by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and HNZ has not said how many cars are involved.

Waters said the company has been keeping owners up to speed.

“We have had open and transparent communication with our Kona EV customers since global media started reporting the recall, who in turn have been very understanding.

“They acknowledge and understand there are implications with new technology (we are not the only brand) and appear appreciative of our efforts here in New Zealand.

“We have been addressing… individual concerns or inconveniences on a case-by-case basis and where required have provide loan vehicles. There have been no reported incidents here in NZ however we have given customers precautionary measures to take until their battery is replaced.”

Waters reiterated assertion from Hyundai Motor Company headquarters in Seoul that the car has only been discontinued in its home market and not in export destinations.

“We are aware that Hyundai Motor has decided to discontinue selling Kona Electric in South Korea. The model will however continue to be produced and available to all other markets.”

So, in respect to the car’s ongoing availability, “it’s business as usual. Kona Electric Series I remains available for purchase and Kona Electric Series II has just arrived.

“We have some (Series I) stock at HMNZ and/or dealerships or in our demo fleet, however only the affected Kona EVs we have will have a battery replacement. If the vehicle is outside the affected VIN range for battery replacement, no further action is required.”

The series of fires prompted Seoul to recall more than 75,680 units in February jointly with battery maker LG Energy Solution Ltd.

The updated EV edition has the same new exterior look already meted the petrol model, but differentiates by losing the grille. The interior design is also improved, the driving range has improved from 449km to 484km (as measured on the WLTP standard) and there are specification upgrades. As before, there are two grades, Entry and Elite, the first now priced at $79,990 and the second holding station at $85,990.

Additional features include blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane following assist, rear-cross traffic avoidance warning and a rear occupant alert, plus some additional interior provisions.

Over and above the Entry specification the Elite option offers additional safety features, connectivity and the comfort and convenience features we’ve started to become accustomed to. They include LED headlights and tail lights, driver and passenger power seats, heated front and rear outbound seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smart phone charging and a heads-up display.

The Elite comes with a 10.25 inch multimedia touchscreen compared to eight inch in the Entry model, along with satellite navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The additional Hyundai SmartSense driver safety features include High Beam Assist (HBA), Electro Chromatic rear-view Mirror (ECM) and a front park assist system.