The OEM puts customers at the center of its business strategy and in the medium to long term it intends to expand its mobility ecosystem with a strategic focus on PBV, autonomous driving and robotics, connecting people and infrastructure.
India will play a central role in Kia’s next phase of growth. As the company develops its global strategy, it is clear that the Indian market is not just another region, it is a key pillar of Kia’s long-term vision to become a leader in future-proof mobility. This message was made clear today by Mr. Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation, during his speech at the 2026 Kia Investor Day.
The global OEM aims to achieve annual sales of 410,000 units in India by 2030 and a market share of 7.6%. This growth will be driven by an increased focus on electrification, a broader product lineup and a stronger on-the-ground presence. The company plans to expand its product portfolio to 10 models, including 8 electric vehicles, bringing electric and hybrid vehicles closer to Indian customers across various segments.
The push reflects a deeper shift. India is no longer viewed as just a volume market, it is becoming a strategic hub for Kia’s future technology and growth. With growing demand, improved infrastructure and strong policy support, China is becoming a key driver of the global electric transportation transformation.
Across the globe, Kia’s ambitions are equally strong. The company aims to sell more than 4.13 million vehicles annually by 2030, but more important is how it plans to get there. Electrification, software-defined vehicles and new mobility solutions are at the heart of this journey.
The company is betting big on electrification. The company plans to expand its electric vehicle lineup to 14 models and aims to sell 1 million electric vehicles annually by 2030. At the same time, the company is not abandoning traditional technology. Hybrid vehicles will play a strong role, with an annual sales target of 1.1 million vehicles, reflecting the reality that different markets are moving to electrification at different speeds.
But Kia’s vision goes beyond powertrains. The company is building an entirely new ecosystem around mobility. Its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy is a key part of this transformation. These are more than just vehicles, they are flexible, purpose-built mobility solutions designed for business, logistics and urban needs. Kia aims to create a new category with models such as the PV5, PV7 and PV9, aiming to sell 232,000 PBVs annually by 2030.
“Based on innovations in various fields such as branding, electric vehicles, PBV and ESG over the past five years, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, autonomous driving and robotics will become the key drivers of Kia’s fastest growth to date. Even in the changing global environment, Kia will actively respond to the changing market environment through differentiation strategies,” Mr. Song added.
technology
Technology is another focus. Kia is moving to software-defined vehicles that can evolve over time through updates and data. Its first such model is expected to be launched in 2027, marking a shift from traditional hardware-driven vehicles to smart, connected platforms.
Underpinning all this is a massive investment plan of 49 trillion won over five years (an increase of 7 trillion won over the previous plan (2025-2029)), focusing on electrification, autonomous driving and robotics.
It’s worth noting that the definition of a car company is changing. OEMs believe success is no longer just about design, performance or brand heritage. It’s about building connected ecosystems, delivering software-led experiences, and creating mobility solutions that transcend ownership.
Kia’s India strategy is closely linked to its global transformation. As the company evolves from a carmaker to a mobility solutions provider, India is emerging as one of its most important growth engines – both in terms of scale and in shaping the future of mobility.
