Kia revises future business plan, targets 2.92m global sales in 2021

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation, revealed the ambitious update to the carmaker’s mid- to long-term roadmap today.

Kia has announced an update to its ‘Plan S’ strategy for its future business at the 2021 CEO Investor Day, held digitally today in Seoul. The ambitious update to its mid- to long-term roadmap was presented by Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation.

“Kia is being reborn in 2021 with a new logo, new design, and new corporate name,” said President Song. “Kia will transform into a brand that excites and inspires customers with innovative mobility experiences.” ‘Kia transformation’ takes the company toward a broader business portfolio to redefine the entire mobility ecosystem, starting with the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electrification. The renewed ‘Plan S’ strategy is underpinned by three core pillars: advancing electric vehicle (EV) transition, strengthening purpose-built vehicle (PBV) business, and expanding future mobility services.

2030: 40% of sales to be EVs, HEVs and PHEVs. 
By 2030, eco-friendly vehicles such as EVs, HEVs and PHEVs will make up 40 percent of all sales for Kia, with an annual sales target of 1.6 million units. As part of this, Kia aims to grow EV sales to 880,000 units in 2030 and become a top global seller.

Starting with the launch of its first dedicated EV (codenamed CV) later this year, Kia will strengthen its EV lineup by 2026 with 11 new models – seven dedicated EVs built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture, and 4 based on existing ICE derivatives.

EVs built on E-GMP (above) aim to set new benchmarks in All-Electric Range (AER), driving performance, interior space, and tech application. The EVs will function as smart devices with expanded application of Audio Video Navigation Telematics (AVNT), Over-the-Air (OTA) and Feature on Demand (FoD) services.

The first dedicated EV from Kia, codenamed CV, is to be launched later this year. It will featureHDA2 (Highway Driving Assist Level 2) technology. The EV is expected to offer a range of more than 500km and be capable of charging up in 20 minutes.Starting in 2023, Kia EVs will be equipped with Highway Driving Pilot (HDP), a crucial autonomous driving Level 3 development.

Further product details and performance specifications for the CV will be revealed next month.

Strengthening PBV business
Kia says it will unveil its first purpose-built vehicle (PBV) in 2022, with further PBVs to be launched according to market needs. The company is targeting annual sales of 1 million units by 2030 to become a world leader in PBVs. To this end, Kia will develop a variety of specialized vehicles based on its PBV-dedicated skateboard platforms.

Expanding future mobility services
In the business-to-consumer domain, Kia will expand existing services. In Spain, the company’s flagship car-sharing service Wible will be expanded with Wible Más and Wible Empresas. The car usership service ‘KiaMobility’, which was launched in September last year as a pilot project in Italy and Russia, will also launch in additional European markets.

In the business-to-government and business-to-business, Kia will launch an EV-based service that combines subscription and car-sharing. Under this new mobility service concept, vehicles will be used for business on weekdays and rented by individuals on the weekends.

Kia’s subscription program ‘Kia Flex’, which was introduced in Korea in 2019, will launch a global version later this year under the name ‘Kia Subscription.’ The service will be operated by Sixt Leasing, which was acquired by Hyundai Motor Group last year, and the vehicles will be provided by the company’s regional affiliates and dealers. 

Targeting sale of 2.92 million unit sales in 2021
The Korean carmaker has forecast operating profit growth this year, based on increased sales volume and improved Average Selling Price (ASP) and product mix. In summary:

– 2021 Global Sales (based on wholesale): 2,922,000 units, 12.1 percent increase Y/y
– 2021 Revenue: KRW 65.6 trillion, 10.8 percent increase Y/y

= 2021 Operating Profit: KRW 3.5 trillion, 70.1 percent increase Y/y

With increased profitability for new EV models, Kia made upward adjustments to its operating profit margin targets from the figures initially announced last year. Kia now targets 5.4 percent operating profit margin in 2021, and 7,9 percent operating profit margin in 2025.

Kia’s investment outlay from 2020 to 2025 is expected to be KRW 29 trillion. Kia will maintain the annual investment level of around KRW 5 trillion, reducing the current investment in existing traditional business segments while gradually increasing the proportion of strategic investment for future projects.