KIA COMMITS TO HATCHES AND SALOONS FOR EUROPE

Firm chases 'big volume' sales for new EV4 and K4 alongside SUVs

- MARK TISSHAW

Kia is committed to launching more hatchbacks and saloons, rather than going all in on SUVs, as it prepares the European launch of ICE-powered and electric hatchbacks to rival the Volkswagen Golf and ID 3. Speaking exclusively to Autocar, Kia executive vice-president Ted Lee said there was still “big volume” for hatchback models in Europe in particular, and he confirmed the firm would continue to offer them - and indeed launch all-new family hatchback models.

The first of these new hatchbacks, the EV4, will be the first electric Kia to be built in Europe when it's launched in the UK in October. The hatchback will be built at Kia's plant in Slovakia, but it will also be offered as a saloon imported into Europe from South Korea.