Kia Philippines confirmed last June 2023 that it will be expanding its model lineup by launching four new vehicles to further reinforce its presence in the local market. The Korean automaker did not provide specifics about its upcoming new launches but it did share that all four vehicles will arrive in the Philippines by 2024.
Kia EV9 three-row electric SUV
Among the upcoming Kia vehicles for the local market is said to be an electric vehicle (EV), which is part of the company’s 2023-2024 Product Roadmap revealed last June 2023. However, Kia PH is tight-lipped as to what EV it will bring into the local market.
Looking at Kia’s global lineup, there could be two EV candidates that could arrive in the country: the Kia Niro crossover and the Kia EV9 three-row SUV. The two Kia EVs fit the bill as the local market has a relatively high demand for crossovers and SUVs. So, why did we assume that the EV9 will be Kia PH’s upcoming new EV? Well, the Department of Energy (DOE) could have the answer to that question.
The DOE recently released the updated list of recognized EVs that qualify to be exempted from the number coding scheme. The said updated list doesn’t include mild hybrid vehicles such as the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid and the Geely Okavango. The DOE explained that an EV refers to automobiles with “at least one electric drive for vehicle propulsion.”
The Kia EV9 is included in the list that the DOE published
Aside from the exclusion of mild hybrid vehicles, one EV caught our attention when we were browsing through the DOE’s updated list of recognized EVs–the Kia EV9. The said Kia EV is included in the list even though it has yet to be officially launched in the Philippines.
The DOE’s Department Circular No. DC2023-05-0012 states that “recognized EVs that are not marketed for a period of 90 calendar days must be removed through the official DOE platform or email address.”
To put things in perspective, the DOE’s updated list of recognized EVs is as of October 1, 2023. If we follow the 90 calendar days timeline stated above, Kia PH should ideally launch the EV9 on or before December 30, 2023.
Kia EV9's interior
On the other hand, we could expect Kia PH to start its marketing campaign for the EV9 by revealing teasers for the said EV, which could give the company more time to officially launch the vehicle that could happen sometime in 2024. By doing so, the Kia EV9 could not be removed from the list since the car brand has started marketing it.
Maybe Kia PH plans to announce the upcoming launch of the EV9 during the local debut of the refreshed Seltos, which has already been confirmed to be introduced in the country soon.
Again, nothing is official as of this writing. Kia PH has yet to confirm if it will be bringing in the EV9. After all, the updated list published by the DOE, which has the EV9 on it, could just be coincidental. It could also be on the list because Hancars is now selling the Kia EV9. Hancars is a vehicle dealer that also sells other electric vehicles that have yet to be officially launched in the country such as the Volkswagen ID series.
Visit Philkotse.com for more of the latest automotive news.
Know more about Kia
Here is the complete price list for Kia Philippines for 2023. Of note, Kia currently has eleven different models. It has three sedans namely the Soluto, Forte, and Stinger. It also has one hatchback model, the Picanto. For crossovers, it currently has the Sorento, Sportage, Stonic, EV6 and Seltos. It also has the Carnival as its entry into the minivan segment, as well as the K2500 as its light commercial vehicle model.
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