As we’ve reported before, Hyundai is looking to reach a sales target of around two million EVs in the global market by 2030. At the same “2022 CEO Investor day” virtual forum, Kia, Hyundai’s sister company, also laid out its own plans. It involves launching two EV models every year starting in 2023.
Kia lays out its plans to become a global sustainable mobility leader
By 2027, the Korean car brand will have released 14 new battery electric vehicles (BEV). These will consist of two electric-powered pickup trucks, one of which will be an entry-level model, while the other will be a dedicated electric truck model for emerging markets. In considering the term “emerging markets”, this might also mean the Philippines.
Apart from those, Kia will also introduce its new EV9 flagship electric SUV by 2023. It will feature an approximate maximum range of 540 km, as well as a zero to 100 km time of just five seconds. It will also be the first Kia BEV that will come with Kia’s AutoMode autonomous driving technology.
Not much details were discussed about the other future Kia BEV models. But the brand hinted at producing small to medium-sized EVs in Europe by 2025. In North America starting 2024, the marque also plans to launch a midsize EV and a pickup truck model. China in turn, will be getting another midsize model, whilst Kia plants in India will be making entry-level, as well as midsize EVs by 2025.
The Kia EV9 concept
By 2030, Kia also says that it plans to achieve a four million annual vehicle sales figure. Around 1.2 million of these will be electric-powered models.
Like Hyundai, Kia will also expand its production capabilities for EVs. To start with, it is looking to secure a steady supply of batteries from a joint venture in Indonesia. It is also working on improving the said batteries by making them 50 percent more energy dense by 2030.
Are you excited to see for yourself what Kia has in store for the future? For more car news like this, keep it here on Philkotse.