QOTD: Will Kia's EV9 Be a Hit or Not?
On paper, the Kia EV9 looks like a potential hit -- and given the company's success with the Telluride, it seems likely that Kia knows how to sell a three-row SUV. But the EV bet is still a bit risky.
Sure, it's a safer bet than it used to be -- EV infrastructure is improving rapidly, EVs are gaining market share, and there are a lot more EV models out there to buy -- but are the family-oriented buyers who are snagging up Tellurides ready for the EV9? After all, the EV9 will be one of the first EVs in the segment.
I'd say probably yes, especially since the base price is projected to be a reasonable $56K, but I am curious as to what you folks think.
Will the EV9 sell like hotcakes, or is it a year or two too early?
Sound off below.
[Image: Kia]
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Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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There are apparently a lot of very slow selling BEVs from legacy makers that auto journalists, whom the makers wine and dine and sleep in five star hotels, get to test drive and then write gushing pieces about, EVEN THO the corresponding Tesla models, despite being from 6 to 12 years old models, run circles and rings around them. Then the ALMIGHTY CONSUMER gets to say his piece, and it is 100% CLEAR that ALL THESE MODELS ARE UTTER SALES FAILURES. And here is the little secret the 'veteran auto journalists' never tell you: THE LEGACY MAKERS LIKE IT THIS WAY. Why? Because imagine how many billions they would lose from these crappy, underwhelming BEVs, IF they HAD been sales successes!!!! Because NO Legacy maker currently is able to produce these POS AT A PROFIT!!!!
If sales projections are as modest as I suspect they are, yes - it will be a sales success. But if the leaked pricing information proves accurate, it will fail to be the affordable electric 3-row crossover families have been waiting for - even if they can live with the slow base model. And don't get me started on the experience buyers will get from Kia's service departments.
I'm going to go with no. It's a niche vehicle aimed for a small subset of willing and able buyers, of whom have the infrastructure available to support a BEV. Looks wise, it ain't no Telluride, which is a great design.
I love the looks of the concept just like I loved the concept of the new Volvo XC 90.
I had thought I would replace my current Volvo with new XC 90 in 3 years( it comes out next year) if the range were 375M+ and looked anything like the Concept.
Well that is gone to the wind as the new XC 90 looks like the concept and a 1998 xc 90 had a kid. So I am out.
I love the looks of this KIA... but if it is to meet even modest sales goals it has to look like it does and get 375-400 miles between recharge with a 20 min max charge time.
Great looking but skeptical they can deliver at a price that will make them money, make the consumer comfortable and be great looking at the same time. But then again Kia/Hyundai may can pull off what VW can't. The ID4 has nothing that makes me "want to own it" and I am a VW audi fan from years ago.