Hyundai Motor's IONIQ 5 / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Kim Jae-heun

Hyundai Motor will take the first step in advancing into the Japanese electric vehicle market by supplying its IONIQ 5 to MK Taxi, the company said Wednesday.

Starting next month, the automaker will supply 50 IONIQ 5 cars to the Japanese taxi firm based in Kyoto. MK Taxi will first operate 50 and then increase the number to 700 over time.

Japan is often dubbed the "graveyard for imported cars." Here, Hyundai revealed its goal to re-enter the Japanese market ― after 12 years ― with its electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles in February. Hyundai Motor is said to be ahead of Japanese automakers in the green car sector.

The IONIQ 5 is the first electric vehicle developed that is based on Hyundai Motor's electric vehicle platform, E-GMP. It has been recognized worldwide for its quality after it was selected as World Car of the Year at the 2022 World Car Awards in April.

The Korean carmaker expects its electric vehicle to provide Japanese taxi passengers with a comfortable ride with its spacious interior and electric sliding seats.

The IONIQ 5 can drive up to 618 kilometers on a single charge and reduces the fatigue of taxi drivers with its low noise and reduced trembling.

"IONIQ 5 is a car with the best commercial quality that offers long driving mileage with a spacious and pleasant interior. We hope that the model will become Kyoto's representative EV taxi that contributes to the realization of carbon neutrality in the Japanese prefecture," a Hyundai Motor official said.

MK Taxi is well-known for providing high-quality service in Japan. In 1995, it was selected as the World's Best Service Company by U.S. magazine Time.