- Investment will be used for EV related R&D, infrastructure development and manufacturing
- Marks its entry into the Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV) segment with Carens converted into a police van and an ambulance addressing specific mobility needs of various institutions
- Announces its two long-term CSR programmes – Project DROP and Uphaar
CHENNAI: Kia India, one of the fastest-growing carmakers in the country, showcased a glimpse of the future where mobility is more sustainable, innovative, and truly connected. The brand also unveiled its All-Electric SUV Concept – the Kia Concept EV9, at the 16th edition of the Auto Expo, highlighting its vision of becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider. Shaping an innovative future, the brand showcased the Kia KA4, a luxury RV, offering sophisticated design, world-class safety, innovation, and capabilities of advanced drive dynamics. The company further announced an investment of INR 2,000 crores in India for EV related R&D, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.
The brand further announced its entry into the Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs) segment, addressing the unmet need of specialised institutions. The PBVs showcased at the pavilion were a police van and an ambulance based on the Carens. Kia India also commits two long-term CSR initiatives – Project DROP (Develop Responsible Outlook towards Plastic) and Project Uphaar at the 16th edition of the Auto Expo 2023.
Overall, the Kia pavilion at the Auto Expo exudes the brand’s progressive approach towards the traditional definition of mobility. Combining the investment, CSR announcements and other product showcases at its pavilion, Kia India presented its vision of creating an inspiring tomorrow, portraying a powerful brand that combines innovation and sustainability in its offerings.
Speaking on the occassion, Tae-Jin Park, Managing Director & CEO, Kia India said, “Kia has been a dynamic brand, one that has never shied away from challenging the established norms of the automotive industry. Today, the world seeks a similar attitude to counter the environmental concerns we are facing. I am glad that we are able to showcase our distinctive sustainable mobility solutions that address the ever-evolving new-age consumer’s needs, along with our vision to contribute to a greener and cleaner future thereby defining our vision of an inspiring tomorrow.”
He further added, “With the launch of EV6, we started our electrification journey in India and today, with the unveiling of the concept EV9, we are presenting our vision of the future. With KA4, we want to showcase our might in the popular UV segment, offering bold design & capability, safety and luxury, packed in one large Recreational Vehicle. With the PBVs, we once again successfully recognised an unmet need of the Indian market, offering inspiring mobility solutions for specialised institutions. So far, we have received overwhelming love and acceptance from the people of this country, and we assure them that we will remain committed to fulfilling their unmet and even unfelt mobility needs and wants.”
Key Showcases/announcements from the Kia Pavilion at the Auto Expo 2023:
The Kia Concept EV9:
With the Concept EV9, Kia previewed a future global electric SUV and was first unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2021. The vehicle will be launched in international markets in the first quarter of 2023. Conceptualized and designed at the brand’s California design studio, the Kia Concept EV9 electric SUV is bound to make heads turn. The Concept EV9 is inspired by nature and uses upcycled materials developed from waste deposited into the fragile marine ecosystem. Based on the brand’s latest design language, Opposites United, this Concept is influenced by the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar, helping the all-electric SUV concept to take on an iconic and bold form. The Concept EV9 embodies an adventurous, outgoing, and recreational form with its rugged and upright stance. The exterior signifies a vehicle that is highly capable, practical, and ready for action. At the same time, from the side, the modernistic angular profile gives the all-electric SUV a simple but distinctive outline. With dimensions of 4,930mm length, 2,055mm width, 1,790mm height and a wheelbase of 3,100mm, the Concept EV9 embodies an aesthetically rare but visually stunning quadrilateral-like on-road presence. The vehicle’s interior is a work of true craftsmanship that lets its patrons focus on well-being and mindfulness. The interior radiates Kia’s motto of being a sustainable brand by using recycled fishnets to help create the flooring of the vehicle and recycled plastic bottles and recycled wool fibres to create seating fabric. Globally, Kia plans to gradually reduce the use of animal leather in all its vehicles.
The Kia Concept EV9 is based on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which is Kia’s EV dedicated platform, comprising the chassis of the vehicle, including the battery, motor & power electric system, and allows the company to manufacture a different kind of vehicles due to its scalable wheelbase. The platform hosts the manufacturing of EV6 currently sold in India.
