Hyundai and Kia EVs in trouble: 2026 Kia EV6 & EV9 GT could be shelved in the US as Hyundai Ioniq 6 line-up is trimmed to just one grade

New reports out of the US say Hyundai and Kia may be forced to significantly reduce their EV footprint as volatile trade winds bite.

According to industry source Automotive News, the upcoming and heavily updated Ioniq 6 will be forced to be offered in just one variant, the Ioniq 6 N, as opposed to an expanded line-up.

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This is because the Korean-built models will fail to be competitive enough in light of the US administration’s continued tariffs, which would add significant costs to the models once delivered in the USA. Models built locally, like the rest of the EV6 and EV9 range would not be affected.

When contacted for potential impacts for Australian production, a Hyundai Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide its plan to launch the Ioniq 6 N would proceed as planned toward the end of April this year, and while the brand was considering further additions to the line-up, it was too early to say whether these plans would be impacted by tariff movements at HQ.

Meanwhile, a Kia Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide that as it stands right now supply of the EV6 GT and EV9 GT would continue for the Australian market, and would remain unaffected by tariffs overseas.

Locally, the range-topping Kia EV9 GT costs $129,250 before on-road costs, while the EV6 GT starts from $99,660 before on-road costs.

Interestingly both brands also said at this stage they would not be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as vehicles sourced by each brand did not pass through the region for the Australian market.

It seems a case of right-hand drive production insulating both automakers from wider impacts to the left-hand drive market, which is largely determined by demand coming out of either the USA or China.

However, many other automakers will continue to pull back on EV plans due to the removal of subsidies in the US, and rising demand for hybrids the world over.

Volkswagen for example is pivoting to range-extender hybrids in China and the US, where the tech will underpin its just-launched ID.9X large SUV, and its new range of big ladder frame 4x4s from rebooted Scout Motors.

Meanwhile a range of Chinese brands, like MG’s IM luxury arm, Leapmotor, Geely, and Deepal are all rolling out range-extended hybrid powertrains across their range.

Hyundai Group itself will invest in the tech, with executives frequently hinting the brand will pivot to a range-extender set-up for the highly anticipated Hyundai Ute, as a significant point of difference from its Kia Tasman cousin.

While it is yet to be confirmed, it seems to be a logical next step for the brand, as many brands are betting on hybrid technology for the future of larger models in big left-hand drive markets like the US and China.

Despite headwinds, Hyundai is also one of the few automakers standing by its hydrogen plans. Many are shying away from the potential diesel-replacing technology due to its massive upfront technology costs in a challenging financial environment.

Stay tuned on more of both Hyundai and Kia’s plans in 2026 as they defend their hard-fought sales position in Australia from the meteoric growth of Chinese rivals like BYD, Chery, and GWM.