The South Korean automaker, Kia made several major announcements at the 2025 Kia CEO Investor Day event. The company has revised its long-term global sales strategy, lowering its EV (electric vehicle) sales target from 4.19 million to 1.26 million units by 2030. Interestingly, the EV target revival comes despite the company recording strong annual sales and profit margins in 2024. However, Kia remains committed to its plan of introducing 15 new electric cars in global markets by 2030. This lineup will include the EV2, EV4, EV5 and three electric vans.
Focus shifts to hybrid vehicles!
In response to the high demand for hybrid vehicles, Kia now aims to strengthen its electrified combustion technology. The South Korean automaker targets to achieve one million sales of hybrid vehicles by 2030, a significant increase from the estimated 490,000 units in 2025. Kia has confirmed its plan to introduce 10 hybrid vehicles (including plug-in hybrids) across all segments – from compact to full-size vehicles – by the end of this decade. At the same time, the carmaker will ramp up its global production capacity by 17 percent to achieve a total of 4.25 million vehicles.
What’s for India?
Earlier, Tae-Jin Park, MD and CEO, Kia India revealed that the company is considering the introduce new technology as an alternative to diesel. However, it will continue selling diesel vehicles in India as long as regulations permit. Kia, which already offers strong hybrid vehicles in global markets, is reportedly working on adding hybrid technology into its 1.2L and 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engines for the Indian market. The Kia Seltos Hybrid, Carens Hybrid, and Sonet Hybrid are likely contenders for the Indian market.
New engine for ICE and hybrid Kia cars!
Furthermore, the South Korean automaker is developing a new modular gas engine, which will power both ICE (internal combustion engine) and hybrid vehicles. It will be a 2.5L TGDi 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine, working as a generator in future Kia extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
This engine will be 12 percent more powerful than the existing engine, and offer 5 percent better thermal efficiency. Kia’s new turbo engine will provide better acceleration in hybrid vehicles. Additionally, it will have a smoother transition between the electric motor to the petrol engine. Kia’s new hybrid system is expected to deliver 4 percent better efficiency for the electrified models.