Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder are both in big troubles as this company is bringing Hybrid Tech to its SUV!

Kia has officially confirmed the expansion of its hybrid and electric vehicle portfolio on a global scale, in response to shifting market trends and declining EV demand. At the annual CEO Investor Day held in Seoul, President and CEO Ho Sung Song revealed the updated Plan S strategy—Kia’s roadmap to achieve 4.19 million global sales by 2030, out of which 2.33 million will be electrified vehicles, including 1.07 million hybrid electric vehicles (xHEVs) and 1.26 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Kia Seltos Hybrid and More Electrified Models Incoming

A key highlight of the event was the confirmation of the Kia Seltos Hybrid, which will be part of the next-generation Seltos lineup. This model is aimed at addressing the increasing global demand for hybrid vehicles. While the Seltos Hybrid has been confirmed globally, Kia has not officially announced its launch in India. However, local media reports suggest the company is evaluating hybrid models for the Indian market, and the Seltos Hybrid is likely to be the first offering.

Kia aims to ramp up hybrid vehicle sales from 4.9 lakh units in 2024 to 9.9 lakh units annually by 2030. “We aim to convert one-fourth of targeting an HEV mix of 25% in our market,” said Ho Sung Song, hinting at hybrid plans for India.

Internationally, the Seltos Hybrid could feature a powertrain similar to the Kia Niro. The Niro combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 103 BHP and 144 Nm with an electric motor delivering 43 BHP and 170 Nm, resulting in a combined output of 139 BHP and 265 Nm. This setup uses a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and comes in a front-wheel-drive layout.

For India, it’s possible Kia may be make changes to the 1.5 L naturally-aspirated petrol engine to keep development and manufacturing costs low. The second-gen Seltos, expected to debut globally in mid 2025, will likely come in both ICE and hybrid versions, with the ICE model expected to launch in India by early 2026.

India’s Role in Kia’s Global Strategy

Kia has identified India as a key market for its electrified vehicle expansion. The company plans to boost its electrified vehicle share in India to 43% by 2030—meaning 43 out of every 100 Kia cars sold will be either hybrid or fully electric. With a target of 4 lakh Syros units, an electrified Syros is highly probable.

Additionally, Kia confirmed that the Carens EV and Syros EV will launch in India. The company is also developing a premium MPV for the Indian market, which will be available with both ICE and EV powertrains.

Broader Electrification and Production Expansion

Under Plan S, Kia plans to expand its global production capacity by 17% to 4.25 million units by 2030. New electric models such as EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5 will be added to the lineup, with the EV2 expected to be a high-volume product that could also reach Indian shores.

Kia is also entering the B2B mobility segment, targeting 2.5 lakh units from its Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBVs) by 2030. The PV5 will be the first to launch, followed by PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029. The brand is also developing an electric pickup truck specifically for the North American market.

Official Statement from Kia

“Since launching the Kia Transformation strategy in 2021, Kia has continuously progressed to become a provider of sustainable mobility solutions that innovate space and enable customers to make better use of their time beyond conventional means of transportation,” said Ho Sung Song.

“We will continue to develop the brand by implementing mid-to-long-term strategies to strengthen our internal stability and respond effectively to changes in the auto industry.”