Kia reveals electric vehicle sales target
South Korean car maker plans to sell one million electric vehicles per year by 2026.
More than half of all Kia vehicles manufactured in 2030 will be electrified, according to the Korean car maker’s recently released mid to long-term business strategy.
Speaking at the company’s CEO Investor Day event in Seoul, South Korea, Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song outlined a new strategy, including plans to become a leading EV brand by raising the proportion of electrified car sales to 55% (2.38 million of a total 4.3 million vehicles) in 2030.
Kia also increased its 2026 annual EV sales target to one million units and 2030 EV sales target to 1.6 million units annually, representing 25% and 33% increases, respectively, from goals announced a year earlier.
“In 2021, Kia went through a full-scale transformation of its corporate name, logo, product and design, as well as corporate strategy,” Mr Song said.
“As a result, our brand value has improved significantly, helping us to win a number of 'car of the year' awards in key markets.
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“In order to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider, Kia needs to continue its efforts to strengthen Kia brand identity and establish an innovative and customer-centric business model.”
The company’s EV6 has been a hit both domestically and abroad, winning the 2022 European Car of the Year and 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year awards.
In Australia, the supply-constrained EV6 has sold 159 units year-to-date, a 12.8% increase on the same month in 2022.
EV sales more generally are booming despite limited supply, a relatively small number of available models and high prices.
Industry sales figures for the first quarter show a total of 17,396 electric SUVs, passenger cars and light commercial models have been sold so far this year, representing an increase of 157 per cent on the same period last year.
The Kia EV6 has won car awards around the world.
Kia plans to build an EV line-up of 15 models by 2027, including the flagship model EV9 revealed recently.
The company confirmed the EV9 would introduce new autonomous driving technology dubbed HDP (Highway Drive Pilot), a conditional level three autonomous driving technology, which allows the driver to operate the vehicle ‘hands-off’ under specific conditions.
In 2026, Kia plans to introduce HDP2 technology that will support ‘eyes-off’ driving under certain conditions.
The Korean car maker also used its investor day to outline plans for its purpose-built vehicle (PBV) division, which includes electric taxi and ride-share vehicles.
Kia said it would launch a dedicated mid-size PBV model in 2025, eventually building to a full line-up of PBVs, including a robo-taxi with autonomous driving technology.
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