SEOUL: Kia Corp unveiled its new electric SUV yesterday as the South Korean automaker and its affiliate Hyundai Motor Co seek to catch up in the EV market.
"The all-new Niro, an upgraded version of the model first released in 2016, will be available as a hybrid electric in the first quarter of 2022 and as an all-electric battery-powered model later in the first half,'' the automaker said at the Seoul Mobility Show.
Kia didn't disclose specs of the new model, including range or price.
"The all-new Kia Niro is an eco-friendly model that shows our will to realize sustainability," chief executive Song Ho-sung told reporters at the auto show.
The car uses environmentally-friendly materials, such as recycled fibres and benzene-free paint. The automaker aims to use 20% recycled plastic in all models by 2030.
Niro's first model gained popularity in Europe because of its price competitiveness and good driving range, said Kim Jin-woo, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities in Seoul.
"The new Niro could be a reasonable choice for consumers seeking a compact electric vehicle if it has a driving range of more than 350 kilometres," he said.
The previous model had a range of about 385 kilometres and cost around 46 million won ($38,575).
Kia had sold about 75,000 of the vehicles in Europe this year through the end of October, according to Hana Financial Investment.
