Kia India Managing Director and CEO Tae-Jin Park stated that in 2025, the company plans to commence local production of a mass segment electric vehicle (EV) and will continue to introduce electric models every year thereafter. The goal is to capture a 15-17 percent market share of the EV market in India by 2030. Park acknowledged that the government policies for the EV segment in India differ from those in other advanced countries, such as the United States, Europe, and South Korea. While these markets offer incentives to customers, India primarily focuses on production incentives. Park emphasized that it will take time to popularize EVs and transform the Indian automotive industry due to the unique incentive program in the country.
Additionally, Kia is considering introducing products with hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) options to enhance its environmentally friendly offerings. Despite the shift towards EVs, the company will continue to offer diesel trims as there is still significant customer demand for these models. Diesel trims currently account for 40-45 percent of total sales in the Seltos and Sonet models. Kia also plans to expand its sales network by targeting tier III and tier IV towns in the coming year, while also strengthening its presence in larger cities. Park acknowledged that the domestic market is expected to become more competitive and crowded in the future, prompting the company to take proactive measures.