Apr 06, 2024 - 08:46
By autocarindia.com

Kia Carens EV, mass market EV India launch in 18 months

Ho Sung Song, Kia president and CEO announced at its Investor Day 2024 that two new models, including the Carens EV, will be launched in emerging markets like India to meet diverse demands. He also informed that the company will be launching the EV9 in India – its flagship – in 2024 to spruce up its EV play. “The EV line-up strategy involves following up our flagship EV models with the introduction of mass EV models for enhanced consumer accessibility,” he said.

Kia to bring two mass market EVs in India
Kia Clavis EV and Carens EV will launch in second half of 2025
Kia EV9 will launch this year as a CBU

Kia Carens EV, Clavis EV to launch in second half of 2025

Sources say that the company is likely to launch a mass market electric SUV codenamed AY-EV, which will likely be called Kia Clavis upon its launch in the second half of 2025. Around the same time, it is also planning to bring in the Carens-based EV, codenamed the KY-EV.

Interestingly, the Kia AY SUV with a petrol powertrain is likely to hit the roads in the first half of 2025, and Kia estimates that both EV models are likely to bring in combined volumes of 50,000-60,000 units by 2026.

Kia has aggressive sales plans for EVs

“The goal for 2026 is to achieve sales of 5,87,000 units of mass EV models, with the aim of accounting for 66 percent of total EV sales,” Song added. As for the market-specific sales strategies, in key markets, Kia will continue growth by building a full EV line-up by creating new demand using Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs). “In emerging markets, we will differentiate the brand with enhanced high-quality customer experiences and respond to increasing demand by diversifying manufacturing bases,” he explained.

The flexible manufacturing line and ICE-derived EVs are a part of Kia’s plan to de-risk itself if the sales momentum for EVs does not take off. “While short-term concerns about EV demand slowdown may exist, in the long-term, EV demand is expected to continue to grow considering the global CO2 reduction regulations and the downward trend of EV prices,” Song said.