Kia will ramp up EV3 output as demand for the low-cost EV surges

After charging up third-quarter gross sales, Kia plans to ramp up output of its new low-cost EV3 mannequin. The compact electrical SUV helped increase Kia’s EV gross sales numbers within the third quarter.

Kia bought 54,000 all-electric autos in Q3, up 8.3% from final yr. The expansion was primarily as a result of new EV3 rolling out.

Regardless of greater EV demand, Kia’s total world gross sales fell by 1.9% within the third quarter, with 763,393 autos bought. The corporate mentioned decreased subsidies, an absence of widespread compact automobiles in Europe, and sluggish gross sales in China, Russia, Central and South America led to fewer automotive gross sales.

Abroad gross sales grew in North America, India, the Center East, and Asia-Pacific, but it surely was not sufficient to offset the weaker world demand.

Kia will increase gross sales of widespread eco-friendly fashions (EVs and hybrids) to drive demand, together with the Carnival HEV and Sorento HEV within the US and Korea.

In Europe, Kia goals to extend its eco-friendly automotive share to over 40% of complete gross sales. Kia plans to promote over 9,000 EV3 fashions as demand for the reasonably priced EV continues to develop.

Kia to extend EV3 output as demand builds

Kia expects gross sales in all main world markets to extend within the fourth quarter, with manufacturing in any respect factories again to regular.

The corporate plans to “overcome the decline in demand” in Korea by increasing its RV and eco-friendly automotive lineup. To assist reverse the gross sales hunch, Kia will deal with new fashions, together with the EV3 and K8.

Within the US and Europe, Kia will begin full-scale gross sales of key new fashions, together with the K4 and EV3, whereas increasing the supply of beforehand in-short provide fashions.

Kia opened EV3 pre-orders in its house market in June, beginning at round $30,000 (KRW 42.08 million). The corporate already calls the low-cost EV a “sport changer” in Korea.

The EV3 begins at roughly $40,000 in Europe. Primarily based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the mini electrical SUV has a driving vary of as much as 375 miles (605 km) in Korea. In Europe, it’s rated with a WLTP vary of as much as 372 miles (599 km).

Kia bought 2,022 EV3 fashions in its house market in September, down from 4,002 in August. Nonetheless, EV3 exports surged to six,158 final month from 1,424 in August 2024.

Forward of its North American debut, the EV3 has already been noticed testing on US streets (take a look at the photographs right here).

In keeping with TheKoreanCarBlog, Kia is anticipated to start EV3 manufacturing in Mexico by the top of the yr. It’s anticipated to make its North American debut in early 2025, with beginning costs within the $30,000 to $35,000 vary.

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