Kia will expand its range of full-electric models with a small crossover due to be launched in 2024 as well as a compact hatchback as soon as 2025 that would be the South Korean brand’s first EV assembled in Europe.
The two cars were revealed as part of Kia’s revised 2030 EV strategy, under which it will launch at least two full-electric vehicles a year starting in 2023, sources briefed on Kia's plans told Automotive News Europe.
Kia global CEO Ho Sung Song announced the new model roadmap in March at an investor day. By 2027, Kia will have 14 EVs in its global lineup. It currently sells three in Europe: the Soul and Niro small crossovers and the EV6 midsize crossover.
The brand’s previous EV plan called for a lineup of 11 models by 2026. Under the expanded plan, Kia will add two electric pickups, including one for emerging markets and an entry-level model.
According to the source, these are some of the key elements of the revised plan:
- 2023: The EV9 large SUV will be launched in the second half. It has already been shown in concept form. The EV9 will be sold in Europe, and will have a 100-kilowatt battery pack with a range of more than 540 km (335 miles);
- 2024: Unnamed small crossover;
- 2025: Minicar-sized crossover, potentially made in India. At the March investor event, Kia said India will become a production base for EVs “around 2025” for the “A+ to C segments” (minicar to compact). Also in 2025, a larger compact SUV will be launched.
- Around 2025: Europe-assembled compact-size hatchback. The car would be similar in size to the current Ceed hatchback, which is built at the Zilina plant in Slovakia. The Ceed and its variants (ProCeed and XCeed) are available as plug-in hybrids.
- By 2027: Midsize fastback sedan.
- Unspecified date: Two "pickup/commercial" vehicles are set to be launched.
The sources said that the plan is still subject to final approval and that “dates may vary depending on market conditions.”