Automaker Invests Big in BEV Plant
Kia is increasing its electric vehicle plans with an important declaration of a new production facility based in Gyeonggi, South Korea. This substantial $758 million (1 trillion won) investment is noteworthy, but there is an even more attention-grabbing update as well – Kia will be releasing a group of light commercial vehicles operating solely on electric power and the first one from this selection is ready to launch by 2025.
The automaker labels these new creations “purpose-constructed vehicles” and gives initial looks of four varied vans through its designs. All will be founded upon the firm’s eS skateboard platform for EVs, capable of supporting various types of frame designs and magnitudes. This project is recognized as ‘SW’ internally and Kia pledges that the first version will be issued by the mid-decade.
The SW family will feature an array of models designed to cater to the distinct needs of diverse businesses. The scope of options encompasses a delivery van, a ride-hailing model, and almost certainly a robotic taxi. The middle-sized offerings will count among the first to hit the market, eventually followed by more sizable light commercial vehicles (LCVs) with both goods and passenger adaptations. In addition, smaller vans boasting self-driving technology will also be released.
Kia’s daring vision is to manufacture up to 150,000 vehicles from their fresh factory in the inaugural full year after commencing operations in the latter part of 2025. To help accomplish this goal, the automaker has opted for a production technique known as the cell system which limits the movement of parts and products throughout manufacture.
A portion of Kia’s recent developments comprise their new assembly plant and a fresh clan of battery-powered vans. This is part of Hyundai Motor Group’s aspiration of becoming one of the globe’s three biggest EV assemblers by the end of this decade. For the next seven years, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are set to invest around eighteen billion dollars aiming to broaden their electric vehicle manufacturing in South Korea. It is expected that by 2030, the car industry giant will have available no less than thirty-one electric models for sale to customers worldwide.
Source: Kia
