Kia Australia says it has secured another 100 of its popular and award winning EV6 electrtic SUVs, and now intends to import every EV model its parent company produces – including the EV9 and an electric pickup – following the change of government and the welcome mat put out by Labor.
In a wide-ranging discussion with automotive media, Kia Australia general manager of product, Roland Rivero, confirmed that the much anticipated EV9, a large electric SUV, was definitely in the sights of the Australian arm of the South Korean automaker.
He said there are “potential other EVs being added to our mix,” adding that some would be seen as soon as late 2023.
Importantly, he gave credit to the new Labor government, that under Anthony Albanese and climate and energy minister Chris Bowen has promised a much more welcoming attitude than the outgoing Coalition government.
“Now we’ve got a new government that seems to have a bigger interest in growing the EV fleet in Australia, we’ve put our hand up for every EV that’s being developed,” he said.
More EV6 on the way as turnaround for EVs begins
Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith also confirmed the company has secured another 100 EV6 for Australia in 2022.
“I think we’re looking at maybe 600 this year other than the 500 allocated,” he said. “It’s better than nothing.”
This is an additional 20% increase in inventory, which is promising but unfortunately will only partly alleviate the immense demand for Kia’s first ground-up EV in Australia. Meredith says there a 12 months’ worth of waitlist for the carmaker to wade through.
Both statements are a turnaround from Kia’s decision in 2019 to indefinitely delay the e-Niro’s arrival in Australia.
It had intended to launch the e-Niro at the 2020 Australian Tennis Open, but said in late 2019 that the Coalition government’s failure to support EVs meant its HQ needed to send zero-emissions models elsewhere.
Electric ute, EV9 and Carnival
Amongst the new models that may make it to Australia over the next few years are an electric ute, and a large electric SUV.
The EV9 – to be unveiled in 2023 – promises to seat seven people, would be around the same size as the Telluride and would sit on the same e-GMP platform used by the EV6.
However, in a departure from the sleek lines of the EV6, it would feature boxier angles and a more spacious interior taking a leaf from the Hyundai Ioniq 7.
The electric ute, which has already been confirmed for 2026 in overseas markets, would be Kia’s first in the segment. Speaking to investors in March, Kia said it would build two “electric pick-ups”, including one for developed markets and another for emerging markets.
There could even perhaps be an electric Carnival, lifting hopes for those after a van-style zero-emissions people mover. “Once that’s confirmed, Australia will have it hand for it too,” said Rivero.
