Kia India recently informed the business that it is not currently considering bringing CNG-powered or hybrid vehicles to the nation. The Korean automaker, which offers both ICE-powered and electric vehicles in India, will keep using the current powertrains and is unlikely to try its hand at any other alternative fuel vehicles.
Currently, Kia’s India product line includes the Sonet small SUV, Seltos, Carens MPV, Carnival, and the EV6 electric vehicle. The compact and mid-size SUV segments are hesitant to adopt CNG-powered vehicles at first, despite the fact that there are a number of models with CNG powertrains in the affordable market. The Brezza CNG was displayed at the Auto Expo and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara CNG was just introduced, which served as catalysts for this transition.
Regarding the transition to EVs, Kia has favoured a top-down strategy and already has a reliable product in the form of the EV6 in its stable. With a starting price of Rs. 60.95 lakh, the Kia EV6 just won ICOTY’s Green Car Of The Year award (ex-showroom). The company added that despite the introduction of its DNA cousin, the Ioniq 5 (44.95 lakh, ex-showroom), it will continue to import the EV6 as a fully assembled vehicle (CBU). Notably, the cost of the Kia EV is Rs 16 lakh higher than that of the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
In addition to this, Kia India presented the KA4 Concept at the Auto Expo, which is essentially the new generation Carnival that is already available in several international countries. The KA4 was merely displayed to test consumer interest, according to Kia, who also said that they have no immediate plans to introduce the MPV to India. The fact that the existing Kia Carnival hasn’t been updated since its launch in 2020 suggests that the company is considering launching the new model in India shortly.
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