Kia Leads with 3 Electric Vehicle Models: "No Backward Steps in Electrification Strategy"

Flexible Production Response Amid the Chasm
Expanding Personalized Mobility with PBVs

Kia has reaffirmed its commitment to electrification by unveiling three new electric vehicles. Despite the slowdown in the electric vehicle market growth, Kia aims to lead the popularization of EVs by introducing key models and responding flexibly with a production system adapted to market conditions, demonstrating its ambition to drive electrification.

On the 24th (local time), Kia held the '2025 Kia EV Day' at the Tarragona Arena in Spain, where it unveiled the electric vehicle 'The Kia EV4,' the compact 'Concept EV2,' and the first purpose-built vehicle (PBV) PV5 for the world premiere. About 600 participants, including Kia CEO Song Ho-sung, Karim Habib, Kia’s Vice President of Global Design, Kim Sang-dae, Vice President of Kia PBV Business Division, Sudh Nipin, Kia Europe Chief Operating Officer (COO), employees, and domestic and international media attended.

On the 24th (local time) at the '2025 Kia EV Day' event held in Tarragona, Spain, Song Ho-sung, CEO of Kia (second from the left), is posing with executives in front of the displayed vehicles. (Provided by Kia)

CEO Song said, "While leading electrification, we will expand our strategy with highly personalized mobility solutions through PBVs that bring bold changes to customers’ daily lives," adding, "A complete public electric vehicle lineup for all segments of people and the first personalized mobility solutions for businesses and individuals."

He emphasized, "Other brands, including hybrids, are adjusting their strategies by controlling the pace, and strategies may differ, but Kia has the flexibility and production responsiveness to adapt even if the electric vehicle era arrives late."

Regarding concerns about the prolonged 'chasm' (temporary demand slump) in electric vehicles, he stated, "According to Market Intelligence’s 2030 EV demand forecast last month, there was an 18% decrease compared to the forecast in June last year, but it still represents a large market of 29 million units," and predicted, "The trend toward electric vehicles may be delayed by 2 to 3 years, but it is fundamentally an inevitable trend."

On the 24th (local time), at the '2025 Kia EV Day' event held in Tarragona, Spain, Song Ho-sung, CEO of Kia, is explaining the electrification strategy and more. (Provided by Kia)

In particular, Kia declared its entry into the electric commercial vehicle market centered on Europe by leveraging PBVs. CEO Song said, "Although we have not entered the commercial vehicle market until now, through the PV5, we will reduce vehicle modification costs and social costs to create an eco-friendly process," emphasizing, "The PV5 will be a game changer in the commercial vehicle market."

He added, "The global commercial vehicle market currently stands at 3.7 million units and is expected to grow to 4 million units by 2030," and expressed expectations, "Among them, electric vehicles currently account for only about 220,000 units but will rapidly grow to 1.19 million units by 2030."

PBV refers to a vehicle whose interior space can be multifunctionally changed according to its purpose, a new concept of mobility first introduced by Kia worldwide. Applying the concept of an 'open box,' various modules (upper bodies) desired by consumers can be applied. Kia also plans to introduce 'Kia AdGear,' a platform that allows adding interior items like customized furniture.

Since announcing its PBV business plan at CES, the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition earlier this year, Kia has been discussing PBV business cooperation with over 100 global companies. CEO Song explained, "We are working closely with Uber and are also developing business models with logistics companies such as DHL, Coupang, CJ Logistics, and small and medium-sized business operators."

On the 24th (local time), Kia's 'PV5' was unveiled at the '2025 Kia EV Day' event held in Tarragona, Spain. (Photo by Kia)

On the same day, Kia signed a strategic business agreement with Samsung Electronics for B2B (business-to-business) cooperation based on IoT (Internet of Things) solutions related to PBVs. The two companies will link Kia PBVs with Samsung Electronics’ AI B2B solution 'SmartThings Pro' to enable connection and automated control between B2B customers’ PBVs and external business spaces of the vehicles.

Kim Sang-dae, Vice President of Kia PBV Business Division, said, "By applying an innovative Android OS-based open software platform, PBV data can be utilized," and added, "We also plan to launch an app market where B2B customers can develop and use applications related to productivity and efficiency."

The interior view of the Kia 'EV2 Concept' unveiled at the '2025 Kia EV Day' event held on the 24th (local time) in Tarragona, Spain (Photo by Kia)

Additionally, Kia announced that, in addition to the existing EV3, EV5, EV6, and EV9, it will launch the first electrified sedan model EV4 in Korea and Europe this year, followed by North America next year. The EV4 symbolizes Kia’s direction for the next-generation electrified sedan in the EV market, which is mainly composed of sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

The EV4 will be sold in two versions: a long-range model equipped with an 81.4 kWh battery and a standard model with a 58.3 kWh battery. Thanks to aerodynamic design, it achieved the best drag coefficient of 0.23 among Kia vehicles. This secures a driving range of 533 km on a single charge, the longest among Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicles. The price is around 37,000 euros (approximately 55 million KRW), with an annual sales target of 165,000 units, including 25,000 units in Korea.

The Concept EV2 is a compact SUV designed for overseas markets and will be launched in Europe next year. The price is about 30,000 dollars (approximately 42 million KRW), with a sales target of 100,000 units. CEO Song expressed confidence, saying, "The electric vehicle market is currently moving from 'early adopters' to the 'early majority.' EV4 and EV2 can sufficiently achieve their targets with their product competitiveness and aggressive pricing."

On the 24th (local time), the Kia 'EV4 GT' was unveiled at the '2025 Kia EV Day' event held in Tarragona, Spain. (Photo by Kia)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.