Kia EV6 Teaser & New EV Naming Strategy | Kia Electric Vehicles

Kia's Transition to Electric Vehicles: Introducing the EV6

At the beginning of the year, Kia initiated a significant rebranding effort, removing “motor company” from its official name and unveiling a redesigned logo alongside a new slogan. This formed part of Plan S, a comprehensive strategy focused on transitioning the company’s core business from traditional combustion engines to EVs, innovative mobility services, and advanced autonomous vehicle technologies.

Details of the EV6 Revealed

Kia is now beginning to disclose further specifics regarding the first vehicle to emerge from Plan S. On Tuesday, the South Korean automaker released a series of teaser images showcasing the EV6, its inaugural dedicated battery-electric vehicle.

The EV6 is constructed upon the new Electric-Global Modular Platform, known as E-GMP. This platform is shared with Hyundai and serves as the foundational architecture for the recently launched Hyundai Ioniq 5 compact crossover.

Design Language and Features

As these are preliminary teasers, a complete view of the vehicle isn’t yet available. However, even with the limited glimpses provided, sufficient design elements are visible to gain an understanding of Kia’s evolving design philosophy and its application to the EV6 and subsequent electric models.

The EV6 is classified as a four-door crossover, aligning with the current consumer preference for this vehicle type in the U.S. market. Its front profile is notably low, seamlessly transitioning into a roofline that echoes the styling of a coupe. The headlights utilize a distinctive segmented LED pattern, and the conventional grille associated with internal combustion engines has been eliminated.

Image Credits: Kia

New Naming Convention for EVs

Alongside the vehicle reveal, the company announced a new naming system designed to simplify identification of its electric vehicle lineup. All future dedicated battery-electric vehicles from Kia will be prefixed with “EV”. Following “EV” will be a number indicating the vehicle’s positioning within the broader Kia range.

This places the EV6 in a mid-range position within Kia’s forthcoming electric vehicle offerings.

Kia has scheduled the global debut of the EV6 during the first quarter of 2021.

Kia's Design Vision

“Our aim is to design the physical experience of our brand and to create bold, original and inventive electric vehicles,” stated Karim Habib, senior vice president and head of Kia Global Design Center.

Ambitious Goals for the Future

Kia’s strategic objectives extend beyond simply creating visually striking electric vehicles. The company aspires to become a leading force in the EV era, a brand that resonates with the millennial and Generation Z demographics, and a symbol of innovation and forward-thinking design.

To support these ambitions, Kia has established concrete sales and product targets. These include the launch of 11 electric vehicles by 2025, aiming for a 6.6% share of the global EV market, achieving annual sales of 500,000 electric vehicles by 2026, and providing tailored, purpose-built electric vehicles for business clients.

Image Credits: Kia

Investment and Financial Projections

A substantial financial commitment of 29 trillion won (approximately US $25 billion) is allocated to this endeavor, with investment continuing through the end of 2025. Kia is projecting a 6% operating profit margin and a 10.6% return on equity (ROE) ratio during this period.

The Importance of the EV6

The EV6 represents the initial outcome of Plan S, and will serve as a crucial indicator of whether Kia’s ambitious plans are attainable. Essentially, the success of the EV6 is paramount to Kia’s future in the electric vehicle market.