Kia to invest 49 tln won by 2030 to boost future mobility competitiveness | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Kia Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Thursday it will invest 49 trillion won (US$33 billion) in facilities and research and development (R&D) through 2030 to strengthen its position in future mobility. Kia President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Ho-sung speaks during a briefing on the company's future business strategies at its 2026 CEO Investor Day event at Hotel Shilla in central Seoul on April 9, 2026, in this photo provided by Hyundai Motor Group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) To meet future EV demand, Hyundai Motor Group -- which includes Kia and its larger affiliate Hyundai Motor Co. -- plans to develop a next-generation dedicated EV platform to replace the current E-GMP architecture, with improved energy efficiency. In robotics, Kia plans to deploy the life-sized Atlas humanoid robot -- developed by U.S.-based Boston Dynamics, a Hyundai Motor subsidiary -- at its Georgia plant in late 2029, following its initial rollout at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in 2028. "Building on advancements in brand value, electrification, purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) over the past five years, Kia will accelerate growth in EVs, hybrids, autonomous driving and robotics," Kia President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Ho-sung said at the company's 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul. Additionally, Kia seeks to achieve a 6.2 percent market share in the United States by 2030, with annual sales of 1.02 million vehicles, supported by an expanded lineup of hybrid models, it said earlier. kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Hyundai, Kia report record U.S. sales in Q1 despite decline in March Kia's March sales gain 2.7 pct on increased demand Kia named best car manufacturer at Top Gear EV Awards 2026 Kia's PV5 earns multiple recognitions at major British automotive awards Keywords #Kia-CEO Investor day Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

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SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Kia Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Thursday it will invest 49 trillion won (US$33 billion) in facilities and research and development (R&D) through 2030 to strengthen its position in future mobility.
The planned investment for 2026-2030 represents an increase of 7 trillion won from the previous five-year plan, with 43 percent allocated to electrification, autonomous driving and robotics, the company said in a statement.
Kia aims to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup from 11 models in 2026 to 14 by 2030, targeting global EV sales of 1 million units despite a prolonged industry slowdown.
At the same time, the company will continue to broaden its internal combustion engine and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) offerings to offset weak EV demand. HEVs include both conventional gasoline hybrids and plug-in hybrid models.
Among upcoming models is an extended-range electric version of the Tasman pickup, built on a body-on-frame platform, which is scheduled for launch in the U.S. market in 2030.
Kia President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Ho-sung speaks during a briefing on the company's future business strategies at its 2026 CEO Investor Day event at Hotel Shilla in central Seoul on April 9, 2026, in this photo provided by Hyundai Motor Group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
To meet future EV demand, Hyundai Motor Group -- which includes Kia and its larger affiliate Hyundai Motor Co. -- plans to develop a next-generation dedicated EV platform to replace the current E-GMP architecture, with improved energy efficiency.
In autonomous driving, Kia plans to introduce its first software-defined vehicle (SDV) by 2027, equipped with Level 2 highway driving capabilities. By early 2029, the company aims to deploy enhanced Level 2++ systems capable of operating on both highways and urban roads.
Level 2 systems require drivers to remain engaged, continuously monitor driving conditions and be ready to take control at all times.
In robotics, Kia plans to deploy the life-sized Atlas humanoid robot -- developed by U.S.-based Boston Dynamics, a Hyundai Motor subsidiary -- at its Georgia plant in late 2029, following its initial rollout at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in 2028.
"Building on advancements in brand value, electrification, purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) over the past five years, Kia will accelerate growth in EVs, hybrids, autonomous driving and robotics," Kia President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Ho-sung said at the company's 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul.
He added that the company will proactively respond to market changes with differentiated strategies despite external uncertainties.
Kia earlier said it will work to sell 3.35 million vehicles globally this year, up 6.8 percent from 2025. It aims to sell 4.13 million units in 2030.
The automaker also aims to post an operating profit of 10.2 trillion won on sales of 122.3 trillion won in 2026, which would respectively mark a 12.4 percent and 7.2 percent on-year increase.
Additionally, Kia seeks to achieve a 6.2 percent market share in the United States by 2030, with annual sales of 1.02 million vehicles, supported by an expanded lineup of hybrid models, it said earlier.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Additionally, Kia seeks to achieve a 6.2 percent market share in the United States by 2030, with annual sales of 1.02 million vehicles, supported by an expanded lineup of hybrid models, it said earlier. kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Hyundai, Kia report record U.S. sales in Q1 despite decline in March Kia's March sales gain 2.7 pct on increased demand Kia named best car manufacturer at Top Gear EV Awards 2026 Kia's PV5 earns multiple recognitions at major British automotive awards Keywords #Kia-CEO Investor day Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Kia Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Thursday it will invest 49 trillion won (US$33 billion) in facilities and research and development (R&D) through 2030 to strengthen its position in future mobility.
- At the same time, the company will continue to broaden its internal combustion engine and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) offerings to offset weak EV demand.
- Kia President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Ho-sung speaks during a briefing on the company's future business strategies at its 2026 CEO Investor Day event at Hotel Shilla in central Seoul on April 9, 2026, in this photo provided by Hyundai Motor Group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) To meet future EV demand, Hyundai Motor Group -- which includes Kia and its larger affiliate Hyundai Motor Co. -- plans to develop a next-generation dedicated EV platform to replace the current E-GMP architecture, with improved energy efficiency.
- In robotics, Kia plans to deploy the life-sized Atlas humanoid robot -- developed by U.S.-based Boston Dynamics, a Hyundai Motor subsidiary -- at its Georgia plant in late 2029, following its initial rollout at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in 2028. "Building on advancements in brand value, electrification, purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) over the past five years, Kia will accelerate growth in EVs, hybrids, autonomous driving and robotics," Kia President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Ho-sung said at the company's 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers kia, korea, won topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 827.