Kia to offer EVs priced above/below RM157k mark in emerging markets – 8 hybrid models in total by 2026

Kia has said it remains committed to its target of selling 1.6 million electric vehicles (EVs) annually by 2030 despite near-term market challenges. According to Ki Seok Ahn, president and CEO of Kia Asia Pacific HQ, the South Korean brand aims to achieve this goal by expanded its EV line-up as well as further tapping into markets in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

A rebranding exercise in 2021 saw Kia introduce a new logo and slogan, along with a revised business strategy, which Ahn said involves introducing EVs to meet key price points. The EV6 and EV9 have already been launched in many APAC countries, with the brand hoping to add more in the future.

At the recent Kia EV Day APAC event, the company said it wants to introduce models priced between USD35,000 to USD50,000 (about RM157k to RM224), which include the EV3, EV5 as well as the production version of the Concept EV4. Of the three, the EV5 has already gone on sale in Thailand and the EV3 is confirmed for APAC markets in 2025.

Kia will also offer entry-level models priced under USD35,000 (RM157,000), including the upcoming EV2, which has been spotted undergoing testing and is reportedly about the size of the Stonic but smaller than the Inster. Another EV, also veiled, was also shown during Ahn’s presentation but it isn’t known yet what it will be.

While offering EVs at various price points was emphasised during the event, Kia will also be supplementing this by expand its range of hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles for emerging markets. The target here is to grow the brand’s hybrid line-up from six models in 2024 to eight models by 2026.

The brand is also looking to introduce its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) offerings catered to businesses and fleet operators. The Concept PV5 presented at the event is set to be released in 2025 and can be configured for various use cases with three body types catered for passenger, cargo and multi-purpose uses.

Kia views electrification as a necessity and not an option, but it also understands that hurdles such as government regulations are notable considerations in the APAC region. The company also pointed out that production is another important aspect of its ambition, which is why it intends to expand its global EV production bases in Korea, the European Union, the United States, India, China as well as APAC.

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