Kia Teases a Really Big Electric Vehicle

Latest from Korean automaker includes something Mercedes-Benz only began to offer last year.

It's all lights and music.

Kia recently released a 15-second teaser video for the upcoming EV9, the company's first three-row SUV, that featured closes up of the vehicle's front and rear lights. 

The video ends with a silhouette of the vehicle and the tagline "Movement that Inspires."

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The South Korean automaker unveiled the EV9 concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2021. In August, Kia teased photos of a camouflaged EV9 during its final stages of testing.

Like the EV6, which was released in 2021, the EV9 is based on thee Hyundai-Kia group’s E-GMP platform

The vehicle will use an 800-volt battery architecture which allows faster charging rates than the usual 400-volt architectures. Kia has indicated the maximum range to be around 300 miles.

The EV9 is expected to be priced from around $55,000. The vehicle's debut is schedule for March 15. 

Vehicle to Feature Level 3 Autonomy 

Other three-row EVs include the Rivian  (RIVN) - Get Free Report R1S, Mercedes  (DDAIF)  EQS, Tesla's  (TSLA) - Get Free Report Model X, and the Model Y, which has a third-row seating option,

In addition to being Kia's first extra-large SUV, the EV9 will be Kia's first model to feature Highway Driving Pilot, a level 3 autonomous driving system that has been announced for the Genesis G90 luxury sedan.

Under this system, drivers will only need to take control of the vehicle in emergencies to avoid potential accidents.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz became the world’s first manufacturer to get approval from German transport authorities to legally operate its L3 Drive Pilot on the country’s public roads. It is sold as an option on Mercedes-Benz S Class and Mercedes EQS.

On March 1, Kia America said it sold 60,859 cars in February, up 24% year-over-year, and 112,842 so far this year, up 23% year-over-year.

However, Kia sold 1,294 EV6 in the U.S., 39% less than a year ago.when the model was launched.

Kia said it plans to have 14 EVs in its lineup as soon as 2027, including a pickup truck to be built in the U.S. The automaker will launch at least two EVs every year beginning this year.