Kia PH to launch four models including new electric vehicle

Kia Philippines will be launching four models including a new electric vehicle (EV) as part of its plan to further reinforce its presence in the local market. This news was shared by the Korean car brand during a media roundtable event held at the AC Motors Centrale dealership in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). 

The outgoing and incoming Kia PH president Manny Aligada (left) and Brian Buendia (right)

Kia PH did not provide specifics as to its planned new vehicle launches but it did confirm that all four vehicles will arrive in the country by 2024. Based on its 2023-2024 Product Roadmap, Kia PH will be introducing two vehicles with an internal combustion engine (ICE). One of which is a refreshed model while the other one is an all-new vehicle. The product roadmap also indicates that Kia will be bringing in one new EV and one hybrid vehicle. 

Refreshed Kia Seltos

Let’s start with the ICE vehicles first. Kia PH did not reveal what the upcoming vehicles will be. But, the context clues provided by the car brand can lead us to some speculation. The refreshed model could mean that Kia will launch the refreshed Seltos, a model that was launched locally in 2019. The facelifted Kia Seltos made its first public appearance at the 2022 Busan Motor Show. 

The other ICE vehicle that Kia PH will be launching is pegged to be an all-new model. Looking at Kia PH’s current model lineup, the all-new Sportage could be the vehicle that fits this category. The Kia Sportage’s all-new design debuted globally back in 2021, which shows sharper looks than the current model offered in the local market.

All-new Kia Sportage

So, how about the Picanto? Well, the subcompact hatchback is not part of Kia PH’s plans moving forward as confirmed by the car brand’s incoming president Brian Buendia. Kia will instead lean on the Stonic and the Soluto as its volume-selling models in the Philippines.

Kia PH also mentioned that it will be launching a new EV, which could be the EV9 that made its global debut last March 2023. The Kia EV9 is a crossover SUV that’s said to offer a maximum driving range of 540 kilometers.

Kia EV9

The hybrid car that Kia PH could bring is the Sportage. This makes sense if it will indeed be bringing in the all-new Sportage. As such, Kia could offer two powertrain options when it launches the all-new Sportage: one with ICE and the other one with a hybrid.

As mentioned earlier, Kia PH did not confirm the exact upcoming models that it will be launching by 2024. As such, the models mentioned here are not yet final and could change as to what Kia PH has in store.   

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