HO CHI MINH CITY: The Ioniq 5 Asean Tour, themed "Go Far with Zero Worries," reached its final destination in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after traveling through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia in 11 days.
The Hyundai EV tour which concluded on Nov 30, also featured the most visited countries in Southeast Asia with a total distance of 3,197km, a 446km increment from the initial calculation.
The drive was a proving exercise that showcased the Ioniq 5's reliability, eco-friendliness, and long-distance capabilities, especially in the Southeast Asia market, where many are still doubtful of EV capabilities.
Ioniq 5 tour arriving at Ho Chi Minh City after 11 days.
As an added bonus, the Ioniq 5's trip costs US$116 (RM540) per car for the entire journey which was about two times more cost-efficient in comparison to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
Hyundai Motor Asean HQ president Youngtack Lee said the company is maintaining its commitment to innovation and shaping the future of mobility.
Stopover in Ipoh.
"Our dedication to making electric vehicles more accessible as the definitive clean mobility solution of tomorrow has taken a giant leap forward.
"Witnessing the tremendous success and excitement generated by the Ioniq 5 Asean Tour, we are propelled to intensify our comprehensive innovation aimed at fortifying the EV infrastructure and ecosystem across the region. The journey may have concluded, but the electric excitement has just begun," he said.
Stopover in Cambodia.
The Ioniq 5 Asean Tour is a groundbreaking electric mobility initiative comprising five vehicles, two manufactured in Indonesia and three in Singapore, and in collaboration with several participants from the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS), Hyundai Motor Company, local community influencers, and Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) from Indonesia and Thailand, began in Singapore with a thrilling flag-off ceremony.
In Malaysia, participants participated in a media convoy featuring the sleek Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6.
Fitra giving a talk about his Ioniq 5 drive experience.
In Bangkok, Thailand, the Ioniq 5's revolutionary Vehicle to Load (V2L) technology transformed the cars into power hubs, enhancing outdoor lamps, music performances, mini cinema experiences, and culinary experiences.
Nithi Thuamprathom, an influencer who joined the tour from Hat Yai, Thailand, expressed his exhilaration, stating:
"Being part of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 ASEAN tour has exceeded all my expectations! I am convinced that electric vehicles, particularly the Ioniq 5, are the future of transportation. This transformative tour removes my anxiety on EVs capabilities, conclusively proving that EVs not only cover long distances but do so with such style, comfort and reliability."
Stopover in Hat Yai.
Fitra Eri, an influencer from Indonesia as well as an automotive expert took the stage, sharing compelling insights and enlightening the Cambodian market on the immense potential of electric vehicles in shaping the future of transportation.
"This tour not only confirmed that beyond urban boundaries, we experienced zero worries and unmatched convenience during long-distance drives with the Ioniq 5 crossing borders of different countries, but it also erased anxieties about finding charging stations.
Flagoff in Singapore.
"We arrived at our destinations rejuvenated, waking up to a fully charged vehicle the next morning," he said.
