HYUNDAI's electric vehicle (EV) Ioniq 5 has bagged the Import Car of the Year award at the Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) awards, the first time for a Korean automaker.

'Ioniq 5 signals a bold new direction in electric mobility for customers in Japan and around the world. Already the winner of prestigious global awards, including World Car of the Year, to be recognized in Japan is a significant achievement, especially against such strong competition,' Hyundai Mobility Japan (HMJ) Chief Executive Officer Won Sang Cho said in a statement.