Kia will start constructing small electrical automobiles in Europe because it commits to launching 15 new EVs by 2027.
Introduced throughout its annual Investor Day, the Korean agency vowed to start producing future EVs inside its core markets (Europe, China, the US and India), transferring them away from sole manufacturing in Gyeonggi, South Korea.
This might consequence within the agency’s long-standing plant in Slovakia – which produces 350,000 automobiles yearly – being closely upgraded to facilitate EV manufacturing. Nonetheless, particulars are nonetheless scarce, so a brand new devoted manufacturing unit is also on the playing cards.
Presently, the Slovakian plant produces the Kia Ceed, Kia Proceed, Kia Xceed and Kia Sportage, with Kia’s electrical line-up – Kia EV6, Kia Soul EV and Kia Niro EV – inbuilt its residence nation. Within the brief time period, these builds might be supported by a brand new manufacturing unit in Gwangmyeong.
“In Europe, Kia plans to regionally produce small and mid-sized EVs, as they’re the important thing drivers of gross sales within the area,” the corporate stated, whereas showcasing its up to date Plan S, which now consists of a further EV over the 14 that it initially deliberate to be launched by 2027.
Two of these have already arrived (the EV6 and Niro EV), and they’re going to quickly be joined by the EV9 flagship SUV and EV5 crossover, the previous due in dealerships by the top of the yr.
Kia president Ho-Sung Track stated: “In 2021, Kia went by way of a full-scale transformation of its company identify, brand, product and design, in addition to company technique. In consequence, our model worth has improved considerably.”
Talking on the occasion right this moment, the agency stated it hoped EVs would account for 55% of all automobiles bought by 2030 – a 7.5% enhance from the earlier goal introduced at its 2022 Investor Day.
Rising in its EV line-up will assist obtain this, because it additionally introduced an annual world gross sales goal of two,380,000 EVs by 2030 – up 7.5% on the earlier goal of two,080,000.
Using new applied sciences may even assist strengthen gross sales, Kia stated. These embody permitting clients to improve and customise their automobile’s software program through the over-the-air updates in fashions launched from 2025.
Autonomous driving is one other to reach within the brief time period, beginning with the EV9, which can provide level-three functionality, eradicating the requirement for human management of the steering wheel. Nonetheless, native legal guidelines will govern which international locations will enable its use. The UK, for instance, at the moment does not.
Kia has additionally begun a brand new Objective-Constructed Car (electrical machines designed for industrial use) enterprise, which can ultimately change into a key organisation beneath the agency’s umbrella. Manufacturing is deliberate to start out in 2025.
