Kia to Launch Made-In-India Electric SUV, MPV by 2025

Kia India currently has the EV6 in its electric line-up. The South Korean automaker pulled covers off the much-anticipated Kia EV9 concept at the 2023 Auto Expo. Alongside Kia, several leading manufacturers showcased their EV models/concepts, giving a glimpse into their future EV roadmap. Now, Kia is reportedly trying to match the pace of its market rivals by adding more EVs to its portfolio. According to reports, the firm has already invested Rs 2,000 crores in R&D, infrastructure, and EV production. Interestingly, it will launch its two brand-new electric vehicles in India by 2025. Kia hasn't shared the type and other specific details of the upcoming EVs, but they are likely to be all-new vehicles – an SUV and an MPV.

Both models will be locally manufactured, unlike their older sibling Kia EV6. As of now, the firm has no plans for local production of the EV6, and it will continue to be imported. The firm is reportedly concentrating on strengthening its presence in the MPV segment in India. The second made-in-India EV is expected to be a sub-4 metre SUV, which will sit between the Kia Seltos and Sonet in the line-up. Moreover, the SUV is also expected to get an internal combustion engine (ICE).

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Annually, Kia India is reportedly planning to make approximately 1 lakh units of the upcoming SUV, which will be sold in foreign markets. The KIA Anantapur facility, according to the company, is furnished with equipment to build both EVs and ICE vehicles. Further, the firm will use a portion of its Rs 2,000 crore investment to modernise the current production line and make it more capable of manufacturing ICE and EV models.

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As mentioned above, the firm has no plans to manufacture the Kia EV6 locally. Reportedly, the carmaker compared the costs of CKD and CBU for the EV6, and there was not much difference. Considering the quality issue of some suppliers, the company concluded that CBU offers the highest level of product quality. Hence, it will carry forward with that route for the Kia EV6 in India.