Recently, Kia revealed an all-new corporate logo, along with a new brand slogan, as it undertook a global rebranding exercise. The new Kia logo – designed to resemble a handwritten signature – will soon be rolled out on the brand’s vehicles globally, and we can now confirm this new logo will be introduced in India by the middle of 2021.
- Seltos, Sonet to get new Kia logo first
- All-new MPV to follow in February 2022
- Kia global line-up to have 7 dedicated EVs by 2027
Kia Sonet, Seltos to debut new logo in India
It’s the Kia Seltos midsize SUV and the Kia Sonet compact SUV that will be the first models in India to sport Kia’s new logo. Both SUVs are expected to ditch the outgoing logo in favour of the new one by the middle of 2021. The Sonet has made its presence felt in India’s burgeoning compact SUV space since its launch in September last year, while the Seltos – Kia’s debut model in India –was the second highest-selling SUV in the country in 2020.
The new logo will also be seen on Kia’s upcoming midsize MPV, which is set to arrive by February 2022. Expected to match the Mahindra Marazzo on the size front, this new MPV is likely to borrow features and 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines from the Seltos.
Kia’s new logo replaces the insignia that has essentially featured on the brand’s vehicles since 1994, only receiving a mild tweak in 2012.
Kia’s future plans revealed
As part of the rebranding exercise, Kia has also stated that it’s now aiming to transition from being a manufacturer to a mobility solutions provider. In a release issued last week, Kia announced it is looking to expand into “new and emerging business areas by creating innovative mobility products and services to improve customers’ daily lives”.
Kia has also dropped the ‘Motors’ suffix from its name and confirmed that its ‘Plan S’ strategy is on track. ‘Plan S’ will see Kia focus on dedicated EVs, seven of which will join its global portfolio by 2027. The first EV will be a coupe-crossover based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and will be unveiled soon.
The other EV models will include a range of passenger vehicles, SUVs and MPVs across several segments, and Kia is also gearing up to produce what it refers to as‘Purpose-Built Vehicles’ (PBVs) for corporate customers. Built on flexible ‘skateboard’ platforms with modular bodies, these will beride-sharing vehicles and delivery vehicles. Kia has partnered with firms Canoo and Arrival to produce these PBVs, demand for which is set to rise five-fold by 2030, according to Kia.
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Kia drops ‘Motors’ suffix and plans move to mobility solutions provider