Kia Trademarks 9 New Model Names — Could This Be an All-Electric Lineup?
As the environmental problems facing our planet get more media attention, automotive customers increasingly buy eco-friendly cars. Many automakers across the industry are responding to this demand by producing electric cars, including Kia. The Korean automaker already produces the Niro EV crossover. Also, earlier this year, it unveiled the EV6 crossover. Furthermore, all signs point towards Kia expanding its all-electric lineup with it recently trademarking nine new model names.
Kia EV1 to EV9 electric vehicles
Kia appears to be fully embracing a push toward all-electric vehicles. For its Plan S strategy, Kia announced that it will release 11 new electric vehicles by 2026. Nine of these vehicles include the EV1 to EV9 electric models. The Kia EV6 is the first in this electric model range that will be released. However, in the trademark applications by Kia with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, not all of the eclectic vehicles may fall under the EV1-EV9 naming scheme. This suggests that the electric vehicle lineup for Kia could be even more extensive than previously anticipated.
Kia IK naming scheme
Many of the trademarks have an IK naming scheme. They cover a wide spectrum of vehicle categories for the USPTO. This includes trucks, automobiles, electric cars, sports cars, and motor buses. Kia also used the IK naming scheme when filing trademark applications with the Korean trademark office in December 2020.
One possibility is that Kia will incorporate a similar naming scheme that it did with the Kia K5, which used to be called the Kia Optima. In Korea, Kia names the Cadenza the K8, while it names the Forte the K3. The “I” in the “IK” naming scheme could refer to electric versions of Kia models. An electric Kia K5 could be called the IK5, while an electric Kia Forte (K3) could be called the IK3.
All of this is speculation, though, and it could be the case that the recent trademarks are for other things that Kia has planned. Its electric strategy goes beyond passenger vehicles. Kia also has plans for increasing its electric mobility services, as well as electric purpose-built vehicles.
What Kia electric vehicles are currently available?
If you’re an eco-minded driver and want to get behind the wheel of a Kia electric vehicle, you don’t have to wait for these possible new electric models to come to fruition. The Kia Niro EV crossover has been available since 2018. The all-new Kia Niro EV6 crossover will be released in January 2022. Also, if you desire a Kia electric vehicle that has unique styling and offers practicality, then you can get the Kia Soul EV. However, you’ll have to head to the used vehicle market, for the Soul EV was discontinued in 2019.
This is an exciting time for electric vehicles. Looking back a decade ago, one could not have imagined the breadth of choices that automotive shoppers now have for electric vehicles. By all accounts, Kia appears to be moving full force toward a lineup of all-electric vehicles. Stay tuned to see a clearer picture of what these new trademarks mean for Kia and its electric vehicle future.
