Kia is steering towards a bold vision for the future, targeting significant sales milestones and expanding its vehicle lineup in North America. By 2030, the automaker aims to introduce a body-on-frame pickup truck featuring hybrid and range-extended gas-electric powertrains, as well as double its hybrid offerings in the U.S.
Breaking into the Truck Market
Recently, Kia announced its strategy to penetrate the lucrative American truck market by 2030 with a new body-on-frame pickup. This vehicle is set to feature both hybrid and range-extended gas-electric variants, aligning with the strategy of its sibling brand, Hyundai. Hyundai also plans to introduce a body-on-frame truck, showcased through its Boulder SUV concept. While Kia previously launched the Tasman truck, the new vehicle for America will differ from this existing model.
Reports indicate that a fully electric powertrain might also be in the works for this mid-size truck, despite Kia’s press release only mentioning hybrid and range-extended models. The automaker aims to capture 7 percent of the U.S. mid-size pickup segment by 2034, with a sales target of 90,000 units annually.
Expanding the Hybrid Lineup
Kia is also focusing on expanding its hybrid vehicle offerings in the U.S., intending to grow from four to eight models. While specific models weren’t detailed, a hybrid version of the K4 sedan is likely, given its popularity as Kia’s second-best seller in the U.S. last year with 140,514 units sold. The automaker also plans to boost SUV production, with the Sportage expected to exceed 200,000 annual sales, and the Telluride’s production capacity increasing to 180,000 units annually.
Developing an Electric Van Range
In addition to its U.S. plans, Kia is expanding its global electric vehicle lineup from 11 to 14 models, including passenger cars, SUVs, and vans. The C-segment electric SUV, comparable in size to the Sportage, and a next-generation EV platform with enhanced battery and motor performance are in development. Kia’s PBV van division, started with the PV5, aims to reach 232,000 sales by 2030 with upcoming models like the PV7 and PV9. The PV5 offers multiple configurations, including camper and freezer van setups.
The PV5 is set to debut in Canada later this year, and its testing in Michigan suggests a potential U.S. launch. Kia also envisions introducing nine new internal-combustion vehicles by 2030 and developing a software-defined vehicle by 2027, equipped with advanced autonomous driving capabilities.
Original Story at www.caranddriver.com