Kia Motors fast-tracks partnerships with global mobility companies

PETALING JAYA: Kia Motors Corporation has announced plans to expand its partnerships with global mobility companies to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers worldwide including Grab for the South-East Asian region.

Kia’s president and CEO Ho Sung Song announced the company’s strategy for global mobility during his visit to the company’s Sohari plant in South Korea to review launch preparations for the fourth-generation Carnival.

“Kia is striving to provide customized products and differentiated mobility services based on its long history in automotive manufacturing,” said [resident Song. “Kia will further enhance its collaboration with global partners to offer regionally customized mobility services as it implements its ‘Plan S’ strategy.”

In South Korea, Kia will enhance its local "Kia Flex" vehicle subscription programme by expanding the fleet size to 200 vehicles.

The vehicle line-up will include the new Carnival, which is nearing its Korean market launch, and a new EV model to be added in the future.

In Europe, Kia will work with global partners to provide a customised mobility service for the region. In 2018, Kia established a car-sharing service called ‘WiBLE’ with Spanish energy company Repsol.

In North America, Kia will accelerate its electrification efforts and further enhance its cooperation with its mobility partners. The company provided 200 Niro EVs to the car-hailing firm Lyft last year, and this year provided 44 Niro HEVs to MoceanLab, Hyundai Motor Group’s mobility service company.

In emerging markets, Kia is also preparing to take market share. It has partnered with companies such as Ola, India’s largest ride-hailing company; Revv, an Indian car-sharing company; and Grab, Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing company.