Tarragona: Kia Corp., South Korea's second-biggest carmaker, announced on Thursday the unveiling of its new electric vehicle (EV) models and future electrification strategy at a prominent event in Spain. The company showcased its latest innovations, including three key models - the Kia EV4, Kia PV5, and Kia Concept EV2 sport utility vehicle (SUV) - at the 2025 Kia EV Day held in Tarragona.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the EV4 marks Kia's entry into the electric sedan market, while the PV5 is its inaugural purpose-built vehicle (PBV) utilizing Hyundai Motor Group's dedicated PBV platform, E-GMP.S. The Concept EV2 adds a compact option to Kia's expanding lineup of dedicated EVs. The E-GMP.S platform represents a flexible service architecture, allowing varied configurations through its modular body system.
Kia's Chief Executive Officer and President, Song Ho-sung, emphasized the company's commitment to becoming a leading EV brand and provider of sustainable mobility solutions. The EV4, built on the group's dedicated EV platform E-GMP, features an 81.4 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and boasts the longest driving range of 533 kilometers per charge among Kia and Hyundai Motor Co. EV models.
Kia plans to introduce the EV4 globally, with an initial hatchback launch in Europe this year. The company targets annual sales of 165,000 units of the EV4, aiming for 80,000 units in Europe, 50,000 in the United States, and 25,000 in South Korea. The PV5 lineup, already shown as a concept at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, will debut in the domestic and European markets later this year, with a global launch to follow.
The PV5 represents a significant step in Kia's PBV business strategy, featuring four variants that demonstrate exceptional modularity - the PV5 Cargo, Passenger, Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV), and Crew models. This model underscores Kia's innovative approach to EV usability, combining customer-oriented strategies with cutting-edge EV technology to transform personal mobility.
Kia is set to showcase the PV5 at the upcoming Seoul Mobility Show, while the mass-produced model of the EV2 SUV is slated for a European launch next year. President Song highlighted the company's goal to democratize EV ownership with the EV2, aiming to make sustainable mobility solutions accessible to all. Kia anticipates selling over 100,000 units of the EV2 annually in Europe post-launch.
The company intends to boost EV sales by focusing on volume models like the EV4, EV2, and the EV3 SUV, targeting early majority customers who typically adopt new products after early adopters have validated them.