4 hours Ago By Zachary Shahan
Kia has announced that it’s going to launch 5 new models at the LA Auto Show. It shares that will include a variety of powertrains — ICEV (100% gasoline powered), HEV (100% gasoline powered but somewhat more efficient thanks to a small battery and motor), PHEV (plugin hybrid), and EV (full battery electric). That’s four powertrains, so the first thought might be that one of them gets two models and the rest get just one.
Though, more likely, some models will be offered in multiple powertrains. That said, it seems like Kia (like others) is past the point of trying to have models that include both EV and non-EV powertrains. So, I assume some models will have ICEV, HEV, and maybe even PHEV versions, while EVs will be their own thing.
So then the question is: how many EV models will be unleashed? I’m not getting my hopes up, especially not considering how the month is going. Also, the US is not the prime market for EVs. It’s not even second.
Actually ...
it’s normally not even third. China, Europe, and Australia get many EV models before the US. So, can we expect an entirely new EV model for the US? Maybe, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
My guess is that we’ll get one model, and it’s one we’re already seeing introduced into other markets. That would be the Kia EV3. And that would be great news! My concern has been that the US won’t get the EV3 because it’s “too small.
” Small cars have been all but killed off in the US. Many automakers stopped selling them. The ones we do have are often niche, premium small cars.
The Kia EV3, as I’ve been saying for months, could be a true mass-market EV, a hot commodity. So, if it turns out we are getting the EV3, that could be a big deal for the EV market in the US. The EV3 just won the Golden Steering Wheel Award in Germany , a prestigious award.
It is clearly a vehicle Kia wants to sell in high volumes and thinks it can. And it has a much better chance of that if it’s sold in more big markets. Also, frankly, this silhouette included in Kia’s announcement sure looks like the EV3: Here are some pics of the EV3: Though, there is one odd thing.
In the announcement, Kia writes , “The Opposites United design iconography was first introduced on the EV6 in early 2021 and has since grown to encompass multiple new vehicles from Kia. It was most recently highlighted during the global debut of the production version of the EV3 and will eventually course through every upcoming model from the South Korean mobility brand.” It would be odd to mention the EV3 in a press release noting that 5 new models will be launched at the LA Auto Show.
So ...
I don’t know. I’d like to see the EV3 come to the US, but maybe we’ll get something else, like the EV4? I doubt we’ll get more than one EV. With the EV6, EV9, Niro EV, and one more new EV, the company will have a pretty decent spread of EVs available by US standards.
(Though, the EV3/EV4 could just replace the Niro EV.) Anyway, we’ll find out soon, but this is probably the LA Auto Show launch I’m most excited about. Related stories: Kia US EV Sales Grow 70% in October Kia Shows Its Adventurous Side At SEMA 12 Months with a Kia EV6 GT — Putting the Hoons in Their Place CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook X Email Mastodon Reddit.
