Kia plans to introduce a new electric vehicle, codenamed CB, to its growing lineup. The new EV is part of an agreement that Kia reached with its union this week.
Kia agrees to build a new EV in Korea
While many automakers are scaling back, Kia is doubling down on electric vehicles, batteries, and other EV technology.
After reaching an agreement with its labor union on Tuesday, we are learning Kia has another EV in the pipeline, and it’s not the EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, or EV9. So, what is the “secret” new electric car?
Okay, so it’s not exactly a secret, at least not anymore, but more of a new development. According to local sources (via KEDGlobal), little is known about the model. Since it’s still in the early stages of development, Kia has yet to determine exactly how big it will be or what segment it will launch.
Kia will begin producing the new EV, codenamed CB, at its Hwaseong Plant 2 in South Korea by 2030. The electric vehicle was just one of several new projects Kia agreed to with its labor union.
The company also confirmed plans to begin building its second electric van, the PV7, at its dedicated Hwaseong EVO plant, starting in 2027. Kia currently produces the mid-size PV5 van at the facility, marking the first model in its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) lineup.
The PV7 will measure 5.9 meters in length, slightly longer than the PV5, which is up to 4.7 meters (Long Wheelbase version).
Kia’s agreement comes as the company looks to take a lead in electrification over the next few years. It also outlined plans to advance battery packs, power electronics (PE) modules, and other core EV components to help establish a domestic supply chain.
In Europe, Kia plans to nearly triple EV production within the next two years. Kia’s CEO, Ho Sun Song, told Automotive News Europe earlier this month that the company plans to build about 100,000 EV2 models, its smallest electric car, at its Zilina plant in Slovakia in 2027.
Kia expects to build an additional over 80,000 EV4 models, its first electric hatch, at the facility by 2027. Combined with EV4 Fastback, or the sedan version, which is produced in South Korea, Song said that “the EV4’s combined global production is expected to reach approximately 100,000 units.”
The first EV4 rolled off the assembly line at the Zilina plant in August, marking a milestone as the first electric vehicle Kia built in Europe.
Kia is already gaining traction in the region. Through August, Kia sold 71,179 electric vehicles in Europe, marking a 56% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The EV3 has been Kia’s biggest hit, ranking as its second-best-selling vehicle behind the Sportage. It’s the seventh top-selling EV in Europe, behind the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, and Volkswagen’s ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7. Through the first eight months of the year, Kia sold over 45,000 EV3s in Europe.
With the EV4 and EV5 rolling out and the EV2 set to launch in 2026, Kia expects to gain an even bigger share of the market.
Electrek’s Take
Top comment by Brian
Kia is intelligently managing the buildout of its fleet of EV offerings. Where other western auto manufacturers are pulling back, Kia is seizing the moment to expand its offerings at every price level, and in so doing, building the supply and manufacturing infrastructure worldwide.
Where Kia has not had top-of-mind brand positioning in the past, seizing the moment to establish its brand as an EV leader now will pay dividends in the years and decades ahead. This is strategic thinking executed properly. In five years, many Kia competitors will realize that they missed the moment. This is how well managed companies succeed.
Kia already offers, or plans to offer, an electric vehicle in nearly every segment with the EV2, EV3, EV4 (hatchback and sedan), EV5, EV6, and EV9.
The new EV, codenamed CB, could be an even smaller EV1 entry-level model as Kia doubles down on affordability. On the other hand, it could also be a possible EV7 or EV8, something to sit in between the EV6 and the three-row EV9.
Since it’s still in the early stages of development, it could be just about anything: an electric pickup, off-roader, luxury car, etc.
What do you think (or hope) it will be? We should learn more about it as it gets closer to launch. Stay tuned.
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