Song Ho-sung, Kia president, said on the 20th that the company will launch 13 electric vehicle models by 2030 to complete an EV lineup that meets diverse customer needs and will also improve product appeal to strengthen competitiveness.
Song said in his greeting at the regular shareholders' meeting held at Kia headquarters that, starting with the EV3 in 2024, followed by the EV4 and EV5 last year, and the EV2 this year, the company plans to strengthen leadership in the EV market through a "full lineup for the masses." Over the years, Song has shared the business strategy for each year at the regular shareholders' meeting.
Song also said the company will expand charging infrastructure with ultra-fast charging stations and diversify production bases tailored to the characteristics of each key market, including Korea, Europe, the United States, and emerging markets, to optimize the EV supply chain. With EV growth recently slowing and concerns about a chasm—temporary demand stagnation—Kia aims to lead mass adoption with a strategy spanning the entire EV industry, from product innovation to supply chain reinforcement.
Song cited the purpose-built vehicle (PBV) business as a core growth pillar for Kia. He explained that "PBV is a customized platform that can configure space and software to meet customer needs in passenger, logistics, retail, and leisure," adding, "Starting with the PV5 last year, we plan to expand the lineup to the PV7 in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029."
Kia is currently producing the PV5 at the Hwaseong EVO Plant East, completed last year. In 2027, the PV7 will be built at the EVO Plant West. In addition, through a PBV conversion center, the company plans to create various specialized conversion models such as open-bed, box truck, and camping vehicles.
Song also mentioned the software-defined vehicle (SDV) roadmap. He said, "By 2027, we will combine AI-based UX and connectivity to unveil a next-generation SDV that integrates hardware and software and then apply it to mass-production models," adding, "For autonomous driving, the core function of SDV, we are collaborating with Motional and 42dot to secure key capabilities step by step while pushing for in-house development."
At the meeting, Chief Financial Officer Kim Seung-jun was reappointed as an internal director, CESCO Chairman Jeon Chan-hyeok was reappointed as an outside director, and Seoul National University business administration professor Shin Jae-yong was reappointed as an outside director serving on the audit committee. ▲ Deletion of the clause excluding cumulative voting ▲ Amendments to the articles of incorporation to introduce electronic shareholders' meetings ▲ Expansion of the scope of directors' duty of loyalty in line with the amended Commercial Act ▲ Changing the title of outside director (independent director) ▲ Separate election of audit committee members were also discussed.