Newsroom

• The locally made IONIQ 5 used by the late Pope Francis during his September 2024 visit will be on public display
• The vehicle is Singapore’s first fully electric car produced at HMGICS, the nation’s only EV manufacturing facility
• The exhibit is open to the public at Level 1 of HMGICS, with visitors asked to observe respectful behavior

Singapore, 2 September 2025 – Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) will open a public display of the IONIQ 5 that was used by the late Pope Francis during his historic visit to Singapore in September 2024. The visit was the first papal visit to Singapore and Southeast Asia in nearly a decade, marking a significant moment of interfaith dialogue and community engagement.

The late Pope Francis traveled in the locally manufactured IONIQ 5 throughout his engagements across the country, including interfaith meetings, public masses, and community visits. The IONIQ 5 is the first fully electric vehicle to be produced locally in Singapore at HMGICS, the nation’s first and only electric vehicle manufacturing facility. Known for his humility and commitment to environmental and social responsibility, the late Pope chose to be transported in this quiet, fully electric vehicle.

HMGICS plays a key role in Hyundai Motor Group’s global strategy as a hub for innovation in future mobility solutions and smart manufacturing. As the nation’s pioneering electric vehicle production facility, it demonstrates Singapore’s growing role in the global transition to sustainable mobility.

The IONIQ 5 is now on public display at Level 1 of the facility. The exhibit is open during regular visiting hours, Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 7pm. Visitors are kindly asked to observe respectful behavior while viewing the display.

Hyundai Motor Group respects the values that the late Pope Francis represented, including care for the environment and a focus on community. The IONIQ 5 on display is not only a milestone as Singapore’s first locally produced electric vehicle, but also a quiet reminder of a leader who encouraged peace and unity.