Kia introduced its first electric offering – EV6 – in India last year. The electric crossover is currently available in GT Line and GT Line AWD variant, which are priced at Rs 60.95 lakh (ex-showroom). The model, which comes as a full import (CBU) unit, has a 77.4kWh battery pack and offers a claimed range of 528km on the WLTP cycle. Now, the company aims to expand its electric product portfolio and enter into the mass-market EV space with two new models by 2025.
Speaking to a media publication, Tae Jin Park, MD of Kia India, has revealed that the company will bring in two localized electric vehicles by the year 2025. While he didn’t mention name and details of the upcoming Kia EVs, it’s reported to be a SUV (codenamed AY) and an MPV. In order to locally manufacture EVs, the South Korean automaker will invest Rs 2,000 crore for R&D purpose, infrastructure development and manufacturing setup.
In the company’s product lineup, the new Kia electric SUV will be positioned between Sonet sub-4 meter SUV and Seltos mid-size SUV. It will be a “compact lifestyle SUV” that will be offered with both electric and petrol powertrain options. Its ICE version is expected to be offered with a 1.0L turbo petrol engine. Reports suggest that the new Kia compact SUV will carry tall and boxy stance and look different from the Sonet and Seltos.
Kia India plans to manufacture around 1 lakh units of its upcoming compact AY SUV and majority of its volume (80 percent) will be for the petrol model. The company’s Anantapur based manufacturing plant will serve as production hub for the upcoming Kia electric cars.
As of now, the South Korean automaker is gearing up to launch the updated Seltos and KA4 luxury MPV in India. Both models are expected to hit roads by mid 2023.
