Kia has stated that the price of its made-in-India electric vehicle will be more in line with the Nexon EV after announcing that 2025 will be the target release date. Mungs Sik Sohn, Chief Sales and Business Officer, Kia India, stated to reporters on the sidelines of the unveiling of the redesigned Sonet that the car, which is being created from the ground up for the Indian market, will have a longer range than the Nexon EV.
“You would not have seen this kind of an EV anywhere else because it is a unique model for India,” Sohn said. “Although I cannot reveal the price range, it will be very affordable, comparable with the Tata Nexon (EV).” We intend to sell more than 10,000 of these mass-market electric vehicles annually.
Priced between Rs. 14.74 and 14.94 lakh (ex-showroom), the Nexon EV has been one of the most popular electric vehicles in India. Depending on the variation, it can go 325 to 465 km between charges. Since its release in 2020, the firm has sold more than 50,000 of these models. According to Canalys, 48,000 electric vehicles were sold in India in the first half of 2023—a 137% increase over the previous year. Nexon EV held about 20% market share in this.
What are Kia officials saying?
In response to a question regarding the anticipated Kia EV’s range, Sohn said, “I can’t say exactly since the car is still under development.” However, it will surpass the Nexon (EV) in height. He did, however, concede that the firm is having some difficulties producing a mass-market EV in India that is actually reasonably priced.
“We are almost ready to start producing EVs locally at our Anantapur factory in Andhra Pradesh. Localising the battery system is one of the main obstacles, and we are talking with a local manufacturer about it,” Sohn added. He added that because there aren’t enough units in this market segment, the company doesn’t have any intentions to construct the EV6 or the planned EV9 luxury e-SUV in India. In addition, he said that if duties are reduced, the company is considering the possibility of adding more EVs.
Sohn further stated that the cost-effective electric vehicle will be sent from India to foreign markets, much like Kia’s internal combustion engine vehicles, such as the Sonet and Seltos. Kia is solidifying its plans to install charging stations throughout its network of dealerships in the interim.
“We wanted to launch the mass-market EV before we had our charging infrastructure in place. Sohn stated, “We intend to build 90 kilowatt chargers throughout our dealership network. We have already implemented 160 kilowatt fast chargers at 16 shops. Additionally, he said that the business is investigating the viability of setting up charging stations for the general public in India.
The company anticipates a further improvement in the percentage of connected cars in its lineup with the addition of more EVs. Currently, almost 40% of our investment portfolio is linked. More of our products will have Kia Connect after we develop EVs, Sohn continued.
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