I might be wrong but the reason they are not exporting this is because I don't think it will sell well because it's actually really tiny, like the Korean version of Japanese Kei cars. It might head to other developing countries though.
I used to have a Ray (and now a Casper). I would agree that it's not pretty, but interesting design in and out. Lots of useful space considering the size. And perfect for driving in korea.
Just to be clear, I have experience with both gas versions. The Ray was my first car so it will always have a special place in my heart. It is small, but was great for camping. The Casper feels a lot smaller. I'm over 6 feet tall, but the Ray felt like a great fit. Both have sliding back seats which are very useful. I don't have any kids so have never seen the need for a larger car (also have a supercub, so that shows my focus hahaha). I've got a kayak that goes nicely on the roof of the Casper, although I haven't driven far with it. I would recommend both, and would consider an electric version in the future.
Edit- just realized I didn't mention any differences. Besides the shape and styling, I guess not too much. I would pick the Ray as the better, more practical one.
The main reason is that it would have to be manufactured in Mexico/US or Canada to get the rebates which for this car since it has such a low price would be massive, $7,500 would basically be added to the cost as a tariff to the USA market. I personally think small cheap EVs would sell very well, but we have zero, cause US makers have no interest in small cars and foreign makers are not making them in NA plants because they see the American sales figures that back up that big and expensive new cars sell.
They seem to have missed that the Bolt was setting records when it was dirty discontinued by Chevy 20K in 2021, 40K in 2022, 60K in 2023 its last full year of sales (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet\_Bolt#Markets\_and\_sales). It's possible that the Bolt could have broken 80-100K this year, and would have proven that there is a market for small efficient EV's.
Right. When I said "it might head to other developing countries..." I didn't mean to imply that Korea or Japan was a developing country. I meant to say that it will be marketed in countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, etc.
reminds me of my dad's '79 honda accord, 4 door hatch, 5 speed.. Best fricking sporty car ever. sipped gasoline. Some said no way in hell in usa but my dad bought it and it lasted for 2 decades.
I generally like their EV styling, but this is one where I actually think the ICE looks a bit better, without the pixel motif shoehorned in.
[front](https://gaadiwaadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hyundai-Casper-Van_-1068x601.jpg)
[rear](https://cdn.whichcar.com.au/assets/w_4096/8f0b0f68/2022-hyundai-casper-1.png)
Still a very nicely proportioned car, saw a few in SK and they look great in person.
Just a shame that here in Australia they've decided that instead of calling it Casper Electric, it's going to be called.... [Inster](https://www.hyundai.com/content/dam/hyundai/ww/en/images/newsroom/news-image/2024/06/0611-1/gallery/gallery-0611-1.jpg). As in, off-brand Insta.
It looks really cool! If cars like the 500, the Micra, and the Mini works here in Europe, I don't know why they don't sell this. Probably they want to compete with their [i10](https://cdn.drivek.com/configurator-imgs/cars/es/Original/HYUNDAI/I10/42781_SUPERMINI-5-DOORS/hyundai-i10-front-view.jpg) and [i20](https://cdn.drivek.com/configurator-imgs/cars/es/Original/HYUNDAI/I20/43041_HATCHBACK-5-DOORS/hyundai-i20-front-view.jpg) models
I don't think it will have the eM or E-GMP platform so hence why it does not have the ionic moniker. In addition, it is an electrified version of an already existing car.
That makes sense, and also raises more questions about what battery platform it's using. Since you're previous post said it's a kei car, that makes more sense it's not using eM and e-GMP and likely its own smaller platform.
From what I know, they have outsourced the platform of a similar segment car (as in the same segment, with similar powertrain, drivetrain but different shape) car called the Kia Ray EV to another company. The batteries are sourced from another company.
[https://www.borgwarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/06/02/borgwarner-to-supply-integrated-drive-module-to-hyundai-motor-group-electric-vehicles](https://www.borgwarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/06/02/borgwarner-to-supply-integrated-drive-module-to-hyundai-motor-group-electric-vehicles)
Apparently, the Casper EV will be called the Inster in Europe.
[https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/363396/first-look-new-hyundai-inster-cheap-electric-city-car-target-citroen-e-c3](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/363396/first-look-new-hyundai-inster-cheap-electric-city-car-target-citroen-e-c3)
Probable Specs based off the Kia Ray EV, another car in the same segment:
Power: 64.3kW SE, 86hp
Battery: 35.2kWh (Unsure whether this will be accurate because the Kia Ray EV's range is only 201km while this is 315, meaning either using a bigger battery or due to a different shape).
Battery Charging Speed: 10% to 80% at 150kW Fast charge takes 40min, capping out at 37kWh.
They also confirmed an electric Staria for Europe. I hope that it comes to North America. The good news is that because it shares the same platform as the Kia Carnival, that makes it more likely to get a full electric model. Although I dont want or need anything that big, itd still be nice to get an EMPV.
Does anyone have a comparison in size between the Casper and the Venue? I believe the Venue is the smallest car Hyundai sells in the United States (and sadly not an EV). From the picture I guess Casper is even smaller than the Venue? How much smaller?
Great for Korea. Likely another EV we dont get in the US
I might be wrong but the reason they are not exporting this is because I don't think it will sell well because it's actually really tiny, like the Korean version of Japanese Kei cars. It might head to other developing countries though.
Microcars do well in Europe, though. I still wish they would sell the Kia Ray EV over here. Not pretty, but very practical layout and features.
I think so too. I think there are some labor politics involved. I'm not too sure.
I used to have a Ray (and now a Casper). I would agree that it's not pretty, but interesting design in and out. Lots of useful space considering the size. And perfect for driving in korea.
Nice, so you have first hand experience with both. Would you mind sharing a bit how you feel about the difference between them?
Just to be clear, I have experience with both gas versions. The Ray was my first car so it will always have a special place in my heart. It is small, but was great for camping. The Casper feels a lot smaller. I'm over 6 feet tall, but the Ray felt like a great fit. Both have sliding back seats which are very useful. I don't have any kids so have never seen the need for a larger car (also have a supercub, so that shows my focus hahaha). I've got a kayak that goes nicely on the roof of the Casper, although I haven't driven far with it. I would recommend both, and would consider an electric version in the future. Edit- just realized I didn't mention any differences. Besides the shape and styling, I guess not too much. I would pick the Ray as the better, more practical one.
Thanks for the feedback.
I’d buy one for each person in my family as a big fuck you to the American car companies making stupid big and stupid expensive cars
The main reason is that it would have to be manufactured in Mexico/US or Canada to get the rebates which for this car since it has such a low price would be massive, $7,500 would basically be added to the cost as a tariff to the USA market. I personally think small cheap EVs would sell very well, but we have zero, cause US makers have no interest in small cars and foreign makers are not making them in NA plants because they see the American sales figures that back up that big and expensive new cars sell. They seem to have missed that the Bolt was setting records when it was dirty discontinued by Chevy 20K in 2021, 40K in 2022, 60K in 2023 its last full year of sales (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet\_Bolt#Markets\_and\_sales). It's possible that the Bolt could have broken 80-100K this year, and would have proven that there is a market for small efficient EV's.
What do you mean with "other developing countries"? South Korea and Japan are not developing countries.
Right. When I said "it might head to other developing countries..." I didn't mean to imply that Korea or Japan was a developing country. I meant to say that it will be marketed in countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, etc.
Kind of looks like a mini cooper (the bmw one), is it much smaller ?
America: Give us cheaper vehicles! The world: Here's an efficient minicompact. America: Not like that.
reminds me of my dad's '79 honda accord, 4 door hatch, 5 speed.. Best fricking sporty car ever. sipped gasoline. Some said no way in hell in usa but my dad bought it and it lasted for 2 decades.
Manufacturers: Here's another electric truck with a 125kWh battery.
the US does not understad restraints. There are only 3 sizes, Big, bigger, Biggest.
The Venue’s zoomer cousin.
I generally like their EV styling, but this is one where I actually think the ICE looks a bit better, without the pixel motif shoehorned in. [front](https://gaadiwaadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hyundai-Casper-Van_-1068x601.jpg) [rear](https://cdn.whichcar.com.au/assets/w_4096/8f0b0f68/2022-hyundai-casper-1.png) Still a very nicely proportioned car, saw a few in SK and they look great in person. Just a shame that here in Australia they've decided that instead of calling it Casper Electric, it's going to be called.... [Inster](https://www.hyundai.com/content/dam/hyundai/ww/en/images/newsroom/news-image/2024/06/0611-1/gallery/gallery-0611-1.jpg). As in, off-brand Insta.
Inster???? What??? Sounds... weird.
Yeah, in Europe it's also 'inster". Weird name
It looks really cool! If cars like the 500, the Micra, and the Mini works here in Europe, I don't know why they don't sell this. Probably they want to compete with their [i10](https://cdn.drivek.com/configurator-imgs/cars/es/Original/HYUNDAI/I10/42781_SUPERMINI-5-DOORS/hyundai-i10-front-view.jpg) and [i20](https://cdn.drivek.com/configurator-imgs/cars/es/Original/HYUNDAI/I20/43041_HATCHBACK-5-DOORS/hyundai-i20-front-view.jpg) models
Interesting it's not using the Ioniq branding.
I don't think it will have the eM or E-GMP platform so hence why it does not have the ionic moniker. In addition, it is an electrified version of an already existing car.
That makes sense, and also raises more questions about what battery platform it's using. Since you're previous post said it's a kei car, that makes more sense it's not using eM and e-GMP and likely its own smaller platform.
From what I know, they have outsourced the platform of a similar segment car (as in the same segment, with similar powertrain, drivetrain but different shape) car called the Kia Ray EV to another company. The batteries are sourced from another company. [https://www.borgwarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/06/02/borgwarner-to-supply-integrated-drive-module-to-hyundai-motor-group-electric-vehicles](https://www.borgwarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/06/02/borgwarner-to-supply-integrated-drive-module-to-hyundai-motor-group-electric-vehicles)
Very cool, TIL. Thank you for sharing.
The Kona EV also didn't use the Ioniq branding due to a different platform.
We are on the same page. That's what prompted my comment.
Apparently, the Casper EV will be called the Inster in Europe. [https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/363396/first-look-new-hyundai-inster-cheap-electric-city-car-target-citroen-e-c3](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/363396/first-look-new-hyundai-inster-cheap-electric-city-car-target-citroen-e-c3)
Probable Specs based off the Kia Ray EV, another car in the same segment: Power: 64.3kW SE, 86hp Battery: 35.2kWh (Unsure whether this will be accurate because the Kia Ray EV's range is only 201km while this is 315, meaning either using a bigger battery or due to a different shape). Battery Charging Speed: 10% to 80% at 150kW Fast charge takes 40min, capping out at 37kWh.
They also confirmed an electric Staria for Europe. I hope that it comes to North America. The good news is that because it shares the same platform as the Kia Carnival, that makes it more likely to get a full electric model. Although I dont want or need anything that big, itd still be nice to get an EMPV.
Does anyone have a comparison in size between the Casper and the Venue? I believe the Venue is the smallest car Hyundai sells in the United States (and sadly not an EV). From the picture I guess Casper is even smaller than the Venue? How much smaller?
Looks awesome!
I have a prius C and I love it, the size is a little small but I would die for an EV about the same size and priced super cheap