Kia Philippines Motor Corporation (KPMC) expects to sell roughly 100 units of EV6 this year, its first electric vehicle (EV) model to be made available in the country, to help boost its double-digit sales growth target for 2023.
KIA PH Chief Operating Officer (COO) Brian Buendia
New KIA PH Chief Operating Officer (COO) Brian Buendia told reporters as the company aims to sell 7,000 units this year or 12-13 percent more than its 2022 performance. Such growth in sales for the year should give the Ayala-owned company least 1.4 percent to 1.6 percent local market share for the year.
Buendia said they have pending orders of 50 units for EV6 since its launch on March 21 this year. The price of EV6, a premium crossover model of Kia, was reduced to P3.78 million from the planned P4.1 million following the passage of EVIDA Law that paved the way for the grant of zero duty on imported pure EVs and other perks for EV users.
“We will try to order more,” he said of EV6 although he also considered the demand from various countries in the region as the EV6 model is manufactured only in Korea.
Aside from EV6, there at least four other EV models in the country, including Leaf of Nissan and Tang of BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer. Another EV brand available locally is Weltmeister, a Shanghai-based automotive company which specializes in the creation of battery electric vehicles.
From the premium brands, Porsche has already brought in its own model, while Audi has e-tron.
Of the Kia Philippines portfolio, the Stonic still remains the volume driver model with 49 percent share of total followed by the Soluto and
K2500. Kia grew 19 percent versus the same period last year, despite supply limitations.
Considering the availability of key models, sales are estimated to increase towards the second half of 2023. Buendia said another model, an SUV crossover, will be introduced in September this year to further boost its lineup.
By 2024, Kia will expand its network to 50 full-operating dealerships nationwide. It is on its way to achieving its 46th dealership.
The Kia brand will be further recognized in the critical mainstream segments with the scheduled arrival of new models. As aligned with Kia’s global strategy, new energy vehicles (NEVs) will be introduced, together with mainstream Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, to further strengthen the line-up. Globally, Kia plans to have 15 EVs in its lineup by 2027.
With Buendia’s background and experience in sales, business development and network operations, Kia Philippines is confident in his ability to anticipate and carry out crucial brand and market executions for Kia in the future.
Buendia, who has been with AC Motors—the automotive arm of Ayala Corporation (AC)—since 1998, will lead Kia PH’s Movement That Inspires into a new phase.
“Kia Philippines is already a major player in the local industry as well as in the region,” said Buendia. “Kia Philippines became one of the fastest-growing car brands locally and was also recognized by Kia Asia Pacific (K-APAC) for achieving the highest growth rate in the region, as well as being the number one independent distributor in retail sales in 2022. I will build upon these accolades to further steer Kia Philippines to greater success.”