“We will be launching these [EVs] into a few of the larger segments,” Watson mentioned, referencing the fast-growing midsize crossover section. Final yr, U.S. gross sales of midsize crossovers have been practically 1.5 million, representing practically a tenth of trade gross sales.
Globally, Kia has mentioned it’ll introduce 14 fully electrified vehicles by 2027. That is a rise from earlier plans to have 11 EVs by 2026.
The EV6 is spurring new confidence within the EV alternative. The mannequin delivered 10,000 gross sales in its 4 months in the marketplace, which “exceeded our preliminary expectations,” Watson mentioned.
Via Could, Kia’s EV gross sales accounted for six % of the model’s complete gross sales quantity, in line with the corporate. That determine contains gross sales of the current-generation Niro EV.
That efficiency tracks industry sales, which noticed EVs delivering 5.four % of complete new-vehicle gross sales throughout the identical interval.
In the course of the first 5 months of final yr, EVs accounted for 3.eight % of complete gross sales. Each figures are in line with knowledge from Motor Intelligence.