Kia wants to recapture China with its EV5 Concept. Shall we then?

China, one billion inhabitants and a car fleet of several hundred million cars, and a large part of the electric reference. According to China Association of Automobile Manufacturersnearly 6.8 million electric vehicles will be sold in 2022 in China – making it No. 1 in electric vehicle sales in the world.

So it is not surprising to see that some brands are now targeting China with the launch of their new electric vehicles. This is the case of Kia, which revealed, Monday, March 20, its EV5 concept. An electric SUV that should be sold in the Middle East during 2023. “Information about the possible launch in other markets will be determined in due course”, indicates Kia.

In the footsteps of EV9 and EV6

About a week after the presentation of another electric SUV, the EV9, the South Korean brand has revealed the EV5, an electric vehicle more compact than its big sister. In terms of exterior appearance, Kia has bet on cubic shapes and large windows, as well as thin LED lights, in the form of light strips.

Unlike its hot cars, Kia has decided not to paint the Tiger Nose grille on its EV5 Concept, but instead a mask in the same color as the bodywork. The exterior of this concept is also characterized by the presence of a panel roof used as a solar panel, as well as doors with counter opening. A system that should disappear from the production model, but which has the advantage of allowing greater freedom in the event of rest.

Because the interior of this EV5 is very much based on its big sister, with the presence of two swivel seats on the passenger side (hence the benefit of the doors opening against the opposition), but also a bench seat with a table. Located under the trunk and foldable, it will allow fans of long trips to relax without having to get out of the folding seats.

As for the dashboard of the EV5, it takes the elements of that of the EV9 in a small way, with two slabs for the counters and the multimedia system. On the other hand, there is no information about the technical aspect that has been revealed by the South Korean company, but we can assume that this electric car will have the same power as the EV6 (around 325 hp) and the e-GMP platform, which is present in several Hyundai vehicles. and Kia.

China, the country of (again) victory for Kia

With this electric car, the South Korean manufacturer wants to recapture China, a country that is in deep trouble. As reported Korea Herald Newspaper, Kia would represent only 0.56% of sales in the Chinese car market. This is a very low figure compared to Tesla’s sales performance on Chinese soil. And even weaker against national electric cars: according to china.orgChinese car sales accounted for about 52.3% of the total volume last February.

It is an important market in the eyes of the South Korean brand, which therefore wants to target one of its neighbors. Before arriving on the European market, where the development of the electric car in the car fleet is slow.

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