Hyundai wants the IONIQ 3 to be “the best vehicle in Europe.” With sales set to begin soon, the electric hatch is now rolling off the line.

As Hyundai’s first B-segment electric vehicle, the IONIQ 3 arrives at a key time as Chinese automakers like BYD are quickly gaining market share in Europe.

The electric hatch is Hyundai’s smallest IONIQ model yet, slotted in between the Inster and Kona Electric, and its first EV specifically designed for Europe.

In Europe, B-segment vehicles make up around 15% of car sales. While EVs currently account for roughly 14% of total B-segment vehicle sales in Europe, that number is expected to reach 65% by 2035.

Hyundai held a ceremony at its Izmit plant in Turkey on Friday to celebrate the official start of IONIQ 3 production.

The IONIQ 3 is Hyundai’s first electric vehicle produced at the facility following a €250 million ($290 million) investment to upgrade it for EV production.

Hyundai will initially produce 30,000 IONIQ 3 vehicles annually at the facility. As part of the upgrades, Hyundai said about 50% of the plant has been modernized. Next year, it will begin production of the next-generation BAYON and i20 at the facility.

Earlier this month, Hyundai Motor Group’s CEO Chung Euisun visited the Izmit plant to “personally inspect” it as it prepared for mass production.

“We must prioritize quality from the early stages of mass production,” he told employees at the facility, adding, “In particular, regarding safety, we must ensure that it is recognized as the best vehicle in Europe.”

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