Global Auto Industry Accelerates Shift to Electric Vehicles

GM Unveils Electrification-Centered Future Vision at CES
Kia Also Launches Electrification Strategy with Name Change

GM new logo (Photo by GM)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jihee Kim] The global automobile industry is accelerating its transition to the electric vehicle era. While reducing development and production related to internal combustion engine vehicles, they are strengthening their response to electric vehicles.

GM Chairwoman Mary Barra recently unveiled GM's future vision centered on electrification at the 2021 CES. Mary Barra declared, "We will create a world where carbon emissions, traffic accidents, and traffic congestion are all 'zero'." She emphasized electrification as the core, stating, "The world, which has so far relied on gasoline and diesel vehicles, will begin to shift toward a fully electrified future, and GM will lead that change."

GM also revealed its electric vehicle platform, 'Ultium.' Ultium uses vertical stacking of cells within modules to build trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and large crossovers. Through this, GM plans to launch 30 new electric vehicles worldwide over the next five years. Furthermore, GM introduced the 'BrightDrop' business, which utilizes electrified vehicles for logistics and delivery.

Prior to this, GM announced a new logo embodying its brand identity as a global electric vehicle company. The blue-toned gradient reflected in the new logo symbolizes the future sky where the vision of zero carbon emissions is realized and the eco-friendly energy of the Ultium platform. An underline visualizing the Ultium platform was added beneath the 'm,' and the surrounding space represents an electric plug.

Kia Motors also changed its company name to 'Kia' on the 15th and declared its transformation into a future mobility company. Marking the name change, Kia is actively promoting its mid-to-long-term strategy 'Plan S,' which focuses on business expansion into electric vehicles, mobility solutions, mobility services, and purpose-built vehicles.

Kia is accelerating its electrification strategy by unveiling the first electric vehicle based on the dedicated platform E-GMP, prepared under the project name 'CV,' in the first quarter of this year. The dedicated electric vehicle lineup will carry the name 'EV.' To promote the popularization of electric vehicles, Kia plans to introduce seven new dedicated electric vehicle models by 2027. These new models will be released in various forms, including passenger cars, SUVs, and MPVs. Kia has set a goal to achieve a 6.6% share of the global electric vehicle market by 2025 and to sell 500,000 electric vehicles annually by 2026.

As automakers swiftly embrace the electric vehicle era, the era of internal combustion engine vehicles is rapidly fading. American automaker Ford recently decided to close all its factories in Brazil within this year and cease automobile production. The three factories being closed have all produced internal combustion engine vehicles. The cost savings from this restructuring will be invested in electric vehicle-related development. Hyundai Motor Group is also reportedly considering halting new development of diesel engines.