“We’re going to be launching these [EVs] into some of the bigger segments,” Watson said, referencing the fast-growing midsize crossover segment. Last year, U.S. sales of midsize crossovers were nearly 1.5 million, representing nearly a tenth of industry sales.
Globally, Kia has said it will introduce 14 fully electrified vehicles by 2027. That’s an increase from earlier plans to have 11 EVs by 2026.
The EV6 is spurring new confidence in the EV opportunity. The model delivered 10,000 sales in its four months on the market, which “exceeded our initial expectations,” Watson said.
Through May, Kia’s EV sales accounted for 6 percent of the brand’s total sales volume, according to the company. That figure includes sales of the current-generation Niro EV.
That performance tracks industry sales, which saw EVs delivering 5.4 percent of total new-vehicle sales during the same period.
During the first five months of last year, EVs accounted for 3.8 percent of total sales. Both figures are according to data from Motor Intelligence.