In line with its endeavour of moving towards sustainability and offering greener mobility solutions in the market, Kia India has revealed that it will invest Rs 2,000 crore into its EV programme for the country and introduce a new all-electric recreational vehicle (RV) in the market in 2025.
The investment has been committed towards R&D, infrastructure development and manufacturing capabilities to allow it to locally produce EVs in India, starting with the new e-RV in 2025.
Autocar Professional had earlier reported that a compact Kia SUV codenamed ‘AY’ is likely to be launched in the first quarter of 2025 and could potentially also be exported from the country to overseas markets.
The company showcased its EV concept – the EV9 – a seven-seat configuration vehicle concept – at the Auto Expo 2023.
Kia India, which has grown to command a notable 6.5 percent share of the Indian passenger vehicle market in a short span of time since introduction in 2019, has broken into the Top 5 carmakers in the country and produces around 3.5 lakh units from its plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. India already accounts for 9 percent of Kia’s global sales and Kia India will also export EVs from India in the coming future.
The company says it believes both ICE and EV powertrains are going to complement each other and the company also showcased a new luxury, full-size MPV – the Kia KA4 – which is set to replace the existing Kia Carnival in the Indian market.
The carmaker said it is geared to meet the upcoming RDE norms from April 2023 well in time by making requisite hardware and software changes in its vehicles.
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