Following the successful US launch of the Soul EV last year in California, along with sales beginning in Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii earlier this year, Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce it is expanding availability of its fully charged urban runabout into four new states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maryland. KMA's announcement will bring the total number of states selling the Soul EV to 10. Nineteen Kia dealers will be certified to sell and service the Soul EV across these four states, and customers will have access to charging stations installed at these facilities. The Soul EV will be sold in eight New York dealerships, six New Jersey dealerships, three Maryland dealerships, and two Connecticut dealerships.
"Kia's sales strategy for the Soul EV has been progressive and pragmatic since its launch late last year," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. "California consumers created a high level of demand, and the state's large infrastructure made it a natural place to start. Between consumer reaction to the Soul EV and growing infrastructure programs in states such as these in the Northeast, this is a logical - and exciting - next step in our rollout plan."
Soul EV sales in the Northeast will begin in the fourth quarter of 2015. Soul EV owners will easily be able to locate the numerous charging stations using the standard UVO EV Services telematics system. Available at no cost for the first five years of ownership, UVO EV Services utilizes an embedded connectivity solution powered by the Verizon network and an integral smartphone app to provide Soul EV owners with an innovative, real-time, in-vehicle connectivity experience that includes navigation and a host of added convenience features.
Meanwhile, the Soul EV has been warmly received by customers around the world. Global sales of the Soul EV surpassed the 5,000-unit mark in August after its launch in April of last year. And industry data shows that it topped Germany's electric vehicle market in August and September, outperforming the A3 e-tron and Tesla Model S.
Featuring a high-capacity 1920-cell 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the Soul EV can drive 212 km (EPA estimated at the 93 miles) on a single charge.
- Kia's Vison 21, November Issue 157
Publisher: Tae-Hyun Oh Editor: Michael Choo