Kia Corporation announced that it plans to launch 13 new battery electric vehicle (BEV) models globally by 2030, as it looks to overcome the industry’s current global demand slowdown and help drive the mass adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

The South Korean automaker’s CEO, Song Ho-sung, outlined the company’s global strategy at the recent shareholders’ annual general meeting (AGM), which also includes expanding the company’s overseas manufacturing base as it responds to the recent introduction of import tariffs in the US amid a broad-based shift to electrification. The company said that it also plans to step up the rollout of charging infrastructure in key global markets, to support its BEV growth ambitions.

Song Ho-sung told the company’s shareholders: “We will strengthen our EV competitiveness by launching a total of 13 EV models by 2030 that will meet diverse customer needs and enhance product competitiveness.”

Kia said that it plans to expand BEV production beyond South Korea, which is currently its main BEV global production hub, to allow it to better respond to local demand in key regional markets such as Europe, China, and North America.

A key part of this strategy will be the global rollout of its ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ (PBV), a flexible modular BEV platform that supports the production of a wide range of models, including passenger transport, logistics, and leisure activities. The first of these models, the PV5 MPV/van, was launched last year, with the company planning to launch a larger PV7 model in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029. The company is also developing a wide range of customised models.