2015 Kia Soul EV Joins EZ-Charge Network, Will Add 17 DC Chargers in California

Kia Motors America announced its plan for charging infrastructure for upcoming Soul EV in California.

Kia selected Greenlots and ABB as its partners to install new charging points at dealerships and to prepare access for customers.

The Korean manufacturer would like to install 17 DC fast chargers with power of  50 kW made by ABB. According to Kia, there are now 198 such station in California and this will be increased nearly nine percent statewide by year’s end.

The all-electric Kia Soul EV is anticipated to arrive in the us in later October/early November (full details here), and has an EPA rated range of 92 miles.  Interestingly, as of time of press, no pricing has yet been announded.

Dealers will get also multiple Level 2 stations.

“Kia Motors America (KMA) is kicking off the implementation of a robust charging network in advance of the Soul EV going on sale in California during the third quarter of this year.  With Kia’s addition of 17 new DC fast chargers to California’s already-existing network of 198, charger availability will be increased nearly nine percent statewide by year-end.  KMA’s EV charging infrastructure plan provides Soul EV buyers with broad coverage, flexibility and excellent support, and Kia’s networking partnership with Greenlots will connect customers to DC fast chargers in convenient locations throughout California.  Select Soul EV dealers in Northern and Southern California will be fitted with multiple Level 2 240v chargers and ABB’s 50kW Terra 53 CJ DC fast charger, which can charge the Soul EV’s battery from empty to 80 percent in about 33 minutes, to help build range confidence.  Designed for the “charge and go” segment, the Terra 53 multi-standard DC charging station is ideal for use at car dealerships, fuel stations and high-turnover parking applications.  The Kia dealership locations with available charging stations will be announced closer to the Soul EV’s on-sale date later this year, and following the California launch of the Soul EV, select additional markets are set to come online in 2015.”

Kia Soul EV charging because many consider the Soul EV as a compliance car, installing 17 DC chargers may be surprising. 
 
But there is something even more surprising. The Soul EV uses CHAdeMO charger, but Terra 53 CJ DC is a double-head (CHAdeMO and Combo). Whether this means something or not, time will tell.

Kia Soul EV charging
Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA stated:

“The Soul EV is a key vehicle within Kia’s ‘Clean Mobility’ program, and having access to Level 2 and an increased number of DC fast chargers at select Kia dealerships is an opportunity for us to provide value to Soul EV owners, signaling Kia’s commitment to the growing EV market. Our customers are making a sincere effort to be eco-conscious, and Kia is committed to delivering both flexible and convenient charging options to Soul EV owners.”

Steve Kosowski, manager of long range planning and strategy, Kia Motors America commented:

“Kia is very excited for the launch of our first-ever all-electric vehicle in the United States, and we are confident that our partnership with Greenlots is connecting our customers to a seamless and reliable network. Soul EV owners will have their charging needs met not only through the growing number of DC fast chargers within the EZ-Charge networks, but also the capabilities that Greenlots is providing to our Soul EV dealers, allowing for convenience and range confidence in their charging needs.”

Kia customers will also get access to EZ-Charge program, however there is no word that anything will be free like in the case of Nissan.

“Kia has partnered with Greenlots to offer flexibility and on-the-go access to large networks of charging stations via the EZ-Charge program, making the Soul EV ownership experience refreshingly simple and charging easily accessible.  Through the Greenlots partnership, Soul EV owners will be provided a “Kia ChargeUp Card,” giving them access to DC fast chargers via Greenlots’ SKY™ network system. Soul EV owners can easily locate charging stations via Kia’s free UVO EVServices[1] telematics app through their smartphone or the standard 8-inch touchscreen inside the vehicle.”

Brett Hauser, CEO of Greenlots remarked:

“Because SKY is open standards based, Greenlots offers its automotive partners the ability to protect infrastructure in the face of future changes with a more sustainable solution. We’re honored to support Kia in offering Soul EV drivers a fun, hassle-free charging experience.”

AC Level 2 equipment will comes from Bosch, Leviton or Aerovironment, all of which went on-board as partners with Kia.

“Partnerships have also been forged with Bosch, Leviton® and Aerovironment™ to serve as Level 2 at-home charging options[2] for owners and also for Kia dealers. Recharging times vary from under five hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet to about 24 hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 120-volt outlet.  Regardless of their charging preference, Soul EV buyers will have the best in variety and value through high-quality, efficient and reliable products and services from each partner.”

Source

Kia Negotiating to Build $1.5B Auto Plant in Mexico

After a string of recent announcements from automakers, Kia may be the next business to break ground on a factory south of the border. The Korean company is reportedly nearly finished with negotiations to build a $1.5-billion plant near the city of Monterrey in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. The state's secretary of economic development confirmed the news to Reuters and anticipated talks to be completed in the first two weeks of August. Unnamed insiders also said that the location was aiming for an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles.

Rumors from a month ago first suggested the possibility of the new factory. It would reportedly build two models of small cars, and assembly could potentially begin as soon as 21 months after breaking ground. Currently, Kia only has one North American plant, in Georgia, that builds the Sorento and Optima.

In the last few years, Mexico has become of hotbed of North American automobile production. Mazda, Honda and Volkswagen all recently opened new or expanded factories to build cars there. There are even more on the way with a joint venture plant from Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti and BMW's announcement of its own $1 billion undertaking in Mexico.

Autoblog reached out to Kia for official confirmation of the Mexican factory, and the company emailed the following prepared statement to us: 

 "As one of the world's fastest growing automakers in recent years, Kia Motors Corporation is currently evaluating various options for the establishment of a new overseas manufacturing plant in order to secure future growth for the brand. As a part of these efforts, and to better cope with the ongoing supply shortage situation in the Americas region, Mexico is being considered as a possible location of our next overseas production facility."

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2015 KIA RIO SEDAN

The Fun-to-Drive Kia Rio Sedan Continues to Bring Spirit and Quality to the Road

•  State-of-the-art subcompact offers 138-hp Gasoline Direction Injection (GDI) engine

• Multi-functional amenities offered to create an efficient stylish driving experience

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 22, 2014 – Kia Motors America’s 2015 Rio continues to offer spirited road manners, tremendous value and cutting-edge features.  The award-winning subcompact offers an abundance of standard amenities, safety features and outstanding interior space.  A combination of world-class styling and advanced technologies make the Rio line-up an exceptional value.

The Rio’s previous model included changes to the engine as well as the body and rear bumper, providing improved aerodynamics.  In 2014, Rio also introduced a revised smart key remote that offers a folding design for convenience and interior features including a new water temperature gauge and an enhanced leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Available in three trims – LX, EX and SX – the 2015 Rio is offered with a 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission (LX only) or efficient six-speed automatic.  Previously available on only EX and SX trims, the 2015 model now offers LX customers the option of a six-speed automatic transmission with an Active ECO system, which optimizes fuel economy when activated.  The Rio sedan produces 138 horsepower with a fuel economy rating of 27/37 mpg (city/highway)¹.

A sport-tuned suspension, front ventilated disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels and paddle shifters, give the 2015 Rio SX a sporty feel.  Meanwhile, Rio EX and SX models offer a chrome front grille surround, power windows with driver’s one-touch auto-up/down, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls², and a tilt and telescopic steering column.

Impressive technology features also come standard on all trims, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio unit with SiriusXM Satellite Radio capabilities³, and auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting MP3 players with full iPod^®4 and MP3 controllability via the audio head unit and steering wheel-mounted controls.

Available packaging upgrades for the Rio LX include the Power Package (automatic transmission only), which adds power windows with automatic up/down functionality on the driver's window, and remote keyless entry.  For the EX trim, the available Convenience Package includes 15-inch alloy wheels, UVO voice-activated infotainment system, Rear Camera Display⁵, automatic headlamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power-folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators, front fog lights, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, and dual map lights.  An available ECO Package can be added to the EX trim when the Convenience Package has been selected, which adds Idle, Stop and Go (ISG) technology for enhanced fuel efficiency.  The luxurious Premium Package available on the SX trim offers a navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic³, push-button start with Smart Key, leather seat trim, heated front seats and a power tilt/slide sunroof, giving it an open, airy feel.

Source: Kiamedia.com

Kia Sales in U.S. Market Hit Record Highs in August

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automotive conglomerate, said Thursday that its U.S. sales reached record high levels for August by gaining 5.5 percent on-year to 124,670 units, fueled by demand for popular models.

Hyundai Motor America (HMA) and Kia Motors America (KMA), the distribution and marketing arms of the group's flagship companies, said sales were up 5.9 percent and 5 percent, respectively, in the one-month period compared with a year earlier.

HMA said it sold 70,003 cars last month, up from 66,101 tallied in August 2013, and KMA's numbers rose to 54,667 from 52,025.

The growth comes as global sales for Hyundai and Kia dipped for the whole of last month. Hyundai, South Korea's No. 1 carmaker, reported selling 357,698 vehicles, a loss of 5.9 percent from the year before. Kia sales reached 217,438 units, a dip of 3 percent.

The combined U.S. sales are equivalent to 21.6 percent of the 575,136 cars sold by the two South Korean automakers last month.

HMA said the tally for August marks the second time that monthly sales surpassed 70,000 since the South Korean carmaker started selling vehicles in the U.S. in 1986.

"Sales continued to gain momentum as the month progressed, and we finished the Labor Day holiday weekend strong," HMA said in a statement. It added the all-new Sonata, Genesis and crossovers played a big part in pushing up numbers last month.

Hyundai's Santa Fe and Tucson CUV sales increases of 15 and 35 percent, respectively, while gains for the Sonata reached 25 percent and for the Genesis 15 percent.

Hyundai's smaller sibling, Kia, said sales of cars such as the Soul, Optima and Sportage led the growth.

The Soul boxy compact sales hit an impressive 15,069, up from 10,017 a year earlier.

It said sales of its popular Optima midsize sedan hit 15,337, making it the best-selling Kia in America last month.

The company said the upcoming arrival of the Sedona minivan will continue to improve sales.

For the first eight months of the year, the two carmakers sold 905,837 cars, up 3.8 percent from 871,496 units sold a year earlier.

Hyundai's numbers reached 501,448 from 493,116, while Kia said it sold 404,389 units vis-a-vis 378,380 vehicles a year earlier.

Kia Teaser New 2+2 Sports

When it comes to sports cars, the first name you think of certainly is not Kia Motors. It's probably not even the 10th, or the 50th. It's really not even on the list. But Kia hopes to change that with a new 2+2 concept car coming to the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

No details on the car have been revealed as yet, but we do get this rather tasty teaser image showing the car from the top down.

Kia says the car "is intended to turn heads while delivering superb driving enjoyment on both road and track."

Judging by the proportions of the car, it might just be rear-wheel drive--perhaps a version of the next Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

The new concept won't be Kia's first attempt at a stunning sports car concept. The GT Concept, shown in 2011, evidenced the brand's ability to envision a handsome sports car. Despite rumors that the GT would enter production by 2013, however, nothing has materialized just yet. The GT Concept, unlike the car announced for NAIAS, isn't a 2+2--it has four doors, the rear being suicide-style--but it could be reinterpreted as a smaller, more compact 2+2 coupe.

Is the new Kia sports car concept a hint that the brand is moving toward the GT, or at least looking at building a true sports car of some sort? Or is it just another tease, pretty and promising, but ultimately amounting to nothing?

We'll find out more during the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

Sources:

Motor Authority

www.garyromekia.com