On the 12th, Kia Reveals Mid-to-Long-Term Plans at EV Day
EV5 First Unveiled in China, to Launch in Korea and Overseas
Compact EV3 and EV4 Concepts Also World Debut
Leading Electric Vehicle Expansion with Competitive Pricing
Kia has decided to launch the electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) EV3 in the domestic market in the first half of next year. It is a compact SUV-sized model. In the second half of the same year, the company will release the mid-size sedan EV4, followed by the compact SUV EV5 in the first half of 2025. Despite the slowdown in domestic electric vehicle adoption, Kia intends to increase sales by sequentially introducing relatively affordable models.
On the 12th, at the ‘Kia EV Day’ event, Song Ho-sung, President of Kia, stated, "We will expand the advanced technologies, eco-friendly materials, design, and services applied to previously launched electric vehicles to the upcoming mass-market EV models," and revealed the domestic launch schedule for key models.
Key electric vehicles unveiled at the '2023 Kia EV Day' held on the 12th at Mime Vision Village in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
On the same day, the company unveiled the EV5 for the first time in Korea. This model was first introduced in China last August and is scheduled for launch there next month. The EV5 is Kia’s third dedicated electric vehicle following the EV6 and EV9. It is the first front-wheel-drive electric vehicle built on the dedicated platform (E-GMP). It is also the first dedicated electric vehicle produced at an overseas factory (China) rather than a domestic plant.
The EV3 and EV4 concept cars, currently under development, were also unveiled globally for the first time. Since both models are still in the development stage, specific details such as vehicle class and applied technologies were not disclosed. The EV3 is approximately the size of a compact SUV or hatchback, while the EV4 features a coupe-style design with a sloping rear.
On the 12th, the EV5 was unveiled at the '2023 Kia EV Day' held at Mime Vision Village in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
The EV5 produced at the Chinese factory will be sold locally, while the units produced at the Korean factory will be sold overseas, excluding Korea and China. It will be launched in three variants: a basic two-wheel drive and extended-range two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions. The China-made models use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries with capacities of 64 kWh and 88 kWh, produced locally. The domestically produced EV5 uses ternary (NCM) batteries.
The EV5, EV3, and EV4, which are compact and mid-size electric vehicles, are designed to be mass-market models emphasizing price competitiveness. The company announced plans to price them between $35,000 (approximately 46 million KRW) and $50,000. In Korea, prices are expected to be around 30 to 40 million KRW. Cho Sang-woon, Head of Kia’s Global Business Planning Department, said, "The EV5 is a global model that marks the start of electric vehicle popularization. Together with the upcoming EV4 and EV3, it will lead the trend of electric vehicle popularization."
Along with pricing, Kia will also expand charging infrastructure, which is considered a barrier to electric vehicle adoption. As previously announced, in the U.S., Kia will enable the use of Tesla’s widely deployed chargers and collaborate with other automakers to expand fast chargers. In Europe, through the automaker alliance Ionity, ultra-fast chargers are being installed mainly along major highways. In Korea, Kia will increase charging infrastructure in cooperation with domestic operators, including E-Pit. The company’s self-developed slow chargers will be supplied primarily for home use.
While electric vehicles have mainly been produced domestically so far, Kia plans to increase overseas production bases. Korea will serve as a global hub covering research and development and production, while Europe will focus on producing compact and mid-size electric vehicles, and China will produce mainly mid-to-large size models. India will manufacture strategic electric vehicles for emerging markets. At the U.S. Georgia electric vehicle-only plant, built by Hyundai Motor Group, various models will be produced together. Battery joint ventures (JVs) will also be established according to the production system in each major region.
Kia will also expand services that customers can directly experience, considering not only current electric vehicle users but also prospective users. An integrated application combining previously dispersed functions will be launched in the first half of next year. It will cover everything from searching vehicle information and test drives before purchase to usage after purchase. The interactive service will allow users to check inquiries and receive insurance premium discounts. When a destination is set, the app will recommend routes with up to two charging station stops based on battery status and provide location-based information such as nearby restaurants.
Offline flagship stores will be established in overseas regions, and virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies will be used to enhance the electric vehicle experience. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be utilized to enable everyday conversations, schedule management, optimal route setting, travel planning, various entertainment information, and emergency support. This feature will first be applied to the EV3 launching next year.
Ryu Chang-seung, Head of Kia’s Customer Experience Division, said, "Our goal is for customers to purchase and use vehicles easily and worry-free at all spatial and temporal touchpoints related to vehicle purchase."
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