The U.S. is going green and Kia is taking notice.
Kia Motors Corp. is aiming to sell 5,000 electric units per year worldwide of its highly-decorated Soul model and the manufacturer expects the United States to be the Soul EV's biggest market.
Sim Hyun-sung, director of Hyundai Motors Group eco-vehicle performance development group, did not offer a U.S. sales share of the 5,000 target. But he said the United States will be the car's biggest market because of the Soul EV's size and generous incentives, as well as increased exposure for electric vehicles thanks to stringent emissions standards.
The Soul EV, which went on sale in April in South Korea, will hit U.S. showrooms in the second half of the year. Initially in the United States, it will be sold only in California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.
The Soul EV is powered by a 27 kilowatt-hour lithium ion polymer battery and uses a more efficient heating and air conditioning unit that draws less energy from the battery.
The Soul EV's range is rated 92 miles in the United States. The balance between weight and power gives the Soul EV a 0 to 62 mph time of 11.2 seconds.
Kia has done a smart thing by creating the EV, a crossover vehicle with urban appeal. The gas-powered version has been successful with the niche it was targeted towards.
With its distinctive styling, frontrunner crossover status, and affordable price, Kia positioned the Soul to be a hit with young urban adults.
The Soul was introduced in 2009 and sales have increased over time. In 2012-13, it was the #2 seller for Kia.
The new Soul EV should do well because it is the same vehicle that is already popular, just with an electric motor and a battery pack. In other words, it already has brand awareness in the top 20 markets in the United States, but also has sold successfully internationally.
Although Minnesota won't be able to partake in the EV version for the time being, the Soul is in showrooms near you. Head on over to Barnett Kia in White Bear Lake and take one for a test drive.
By Scott Stone