Kia has lowered its 2030 electric vehicle sales target to 1 million units annually, marking the second consecutive reduction to its long-term EV ambitions as the automaker adjusts to shifting market conditions.
The revised target was announced at Kia’s 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul and represents a cut of 260,000 units from the company’s previous goal, which had already been reduced last year.
Despite the lower EV target, Kia said it still plans to expand its global EV lineup to 14 models by 2030, including passenger cars, SUVs and dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle models.
Hybrid vehicles are also expected to play a larger role in the company’s strategy, with Kia targeting annual hybrid sales of 1.1 million units across 13 models by 2030.
Internal combustion engine vehicles are projected to remain a major contributor, with expected annual sales of 1.98 million units.
“EVs, HEVs, autonomous driving, and robotics will serve as key drivers for Kia’s fastest growth to date,” Ho Sung Song, president and chief executive of Kia, said in a statement.
“Even amid the evolving global environment, Kia will proactively respond to changing market conditions through differentiated strategies,” he added.
Kia said it will invest 49 trillion won ($35.6 billion) between 2026 and 2030, including 21 trillion won allocated to future technologies such as electrification, autonomous driving and robotics.
The automaker plans to manufacture EVs under a regional production strategy, with South Korea serving as a global EV hub and localized production in Europe and the United States.
Kia said models including the EV2 and EV4 will be produced in Europe, while the EV6 and EV9 will be built in the U.S.
The company is also developing a next-generation EV platform aimed at improving battery capacity, motor output and overall cost efficiency.
To support EV adoption, Kia said it has secured charging access through partners including Electrify America, IONNA and IONITY, covering about 240,000 charging points in North America, 1 million in Europe and 480,000 in South Korea.
Kia said its first software-defined vehicle is due by the end of 2027, with Level 2++ autonomous driving functions planned for 2029.
