Hyundai has ceased production of its i10 city car for the European market, discontinuing one of its popular small models. While the vehicle remains available through dealerships in the UK, factory orders have concluded, freeing up capacity at its Turkey manufacturing plant for a future electric vehicle.
This A-segment hatchback proved highly successful for the Korean brand. Over its 18-year market presence, Hyundai sold more than 3,3 million i10 units globally, with over 370.000 units sold in the UK since its introduction.
Despite its success, Hyundai has no immediate plans for a direct replacement for this compact gasoline model. Instead, the company is guiding buyers toward the electric Inster as a new lineup option, despite its price tag being nearly 5.500 GBP (7.400 USD) higher.
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Hyundai i10, 2025 model in the UK. Photo: Top Gear
Starting at 18.350 GBP (24.600 USD), the standard i10 is not the bargain it was in 2008, yet it remains one of the most accessible entry points into the new car market. Its comprehensive warranty and low running costs continue to make it an attractive option for UK buyers.
The i10's discontinuation highlights the growing pressure on small, affordable gasoline-powered cars. In the UK market, the closely related Kia Picanto is now the sole remaining gasoline city car option. While Fiat and Toyota still offer the 500 and Aygo X in Europe, both models have transitioned to hybrid powertrains, resulting in significantly higher prices.
Despite this, internal combustion engine city cars continue to perform well in overseas markets. AutoExpress suggests this could lead to an i10 replacement launch in the next few years. However, such a model would likely face hurdles for approval in the EU and UK markets due to increasingly stringent regulations, which push up the cost of small cars.
The future of small cars, however, appears to be electric. Despite higher battery costs, electric vehicles are often simpler to design to meet evolving safety regulations.
In Vietnam, the Hyundai i10 was initially imported before local assembly began. This A-segment city car consistently led its segment in sales, outselling rivals such as the Kia Morning and later the Toyota Wigo. The 2024 model is currently available in 6 versions, priced between 360 million and 455 million Vietnamese dong.
My Anh
