Hyundai KONA Electric availability in U.S.

[mark dombrowsky]

Does anyone know if this $36,000 - 250 mile range SUV will have 50 state availabliity? It looks impressive for the price and the Turbo version is quite a nice small SUV

 

[Domenick]

Does anyone know if this $36,000 - 250 mile range SUV will have 50 state availabliity? It looks impressive for the price and the Turbo version is quite a nice small SUV

Not sure what you mean by turbo version, but the Kona Electric it will be available in all 50 states, but with an asterisk.

Originally, it was just going to be California and then the other ZEV states, but now they say you deliver it to dealers if they have a “sold order.” So, I guess they're saying they're not going to give dealers in all the States to have in their inventories, but they will ship it to them if they get an order.

I would suggest if you do order that you confirm with the dealer that they will provide service.

 

[afriedma]

I just received the following disappointing (and unbelievable) email from my local Hyundai dealer. YEARS!!?



Jackie Walton <[email protected]> Unsubscribe
12:45 PM (45 minutes ago)

Hello Mr. Friedman,
Thank you for your interest in the EV Kona. I'm afraid it will be years till we are able to get these in Washington State. Currently they are available in California then the next state will be Oregon for west coast sales. Washington stores cannot ship these in.


Jackie Walton
Senior Sales

Hyundai of Everett
7800 Evergreen Way Everett, WA 98203
Work: 425-258-9100 #4
Fax: 425-258-1220

 

[Domenick]

I just received the following disappointing (and unbelievable) email from my local Hyundai dealer. YEARS!!?

Hello Mr. Friedman,
Thank you for your interest in the EV Kona. I'm afraid it will be years till we are able to get these in Washington State. Currently they are available in California then the next state will be Oregon for west coast sales. Washington stores cannot ship these in.


Jackie Walton
Senior Sales

Hyundai of Everett
7800 Evergreen Way Everett, WA 98203
Work: 425-258-9100 #4
Fax: 425-258-1220

That's odd. It seems to run a little contrary to their announced strategy. Here's the InsideEVs post about it: Hyundai Will Satisfy U.S. Hunger For Kona Electric

Maybe I should reach out to there communications team for some clarity.

 

[afriedma]

Yes, it sure is odd. I had read in various places that I could expect to be able to buy a Kona EV in Washington State in the first half of 2019. If a dealer told me that the date had slipped to later in 2019, I would be disappointed but not super-surprised. But it is beyond bizarre to me that a dealer would send me an email that , "...it will be years till we are able to get these..."! I've been in my share of dealers who did not understand and/or did not want to sell me an EV or hybrid (don't get me started on the Kia dealer who bragged about free oil changes for the life of my Soul EV!), but this is about the biggest brush-off I have ever received. And it's a shame too; I bought a Kia Soul EV from the same dealer network (Lee Johnson) and found them to be well-informed and fair to deal with.

 

[marshall]

I would try either Doug's Hyundai in Lynnwood or Larson's Hyundai in Tacoma.

You can always wait for Lee Johnson to carry the new Kia EV's. Kia has seemed to make more of an effort to send EV's to Washington state.

 

[afriedma]

Thanks, Marshall. It would be my preference to get a Kia Niro EV from Lee Johnson, but it had been my impression that the Kona would be available long before the Niro. I have a Kia Soul EV lease that ends this February, but can be extended for up to 6 months. I'm hoping that will be long enough to be able to get a Niro or Kona EV. If not, I might have to walk down the hill from Lee Johnson Kia in Kirkland, and go visit their Chevy dealership. The Bolt seems like a fine option too.

 

[smith ho]

Is that available in California now?

I just received the following disappointing (and unbelievable) email from my local Hyundai dealer. YEARS!!?



Jackie Walton <[email protected]> Unsubscribe
12:45 PM (45 minutes ago)

Hello Mr. Friedman,
Thank you for your interest in the EV Kona. I'm afraid it will be years till we are able to get these in Washington State. Currently they are available in California then the next state will be Oregon for west coast sales. Washington stores cannot ship these in.


Jackie Walton
Senior Sales

Hyundai of Everett
7800 Evergreen Way Everett, WA 98203
Work: 425-258-9100 #4
Fax: 425-258-1220