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THE INVESTOR]
Kia Motors is planning on exporting up to 10,000 units of the soon-to-be-launched plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) version of its Niro small SUV this year, industry sources said on Feb. 24.
Kia, the No. 2 carmaker in South Korea, is scheduled to unveil the Niro plug-in hybrid in South Korea in April and debut the model in the United States and Europe during the second half of this year.
According to the sources, Kia has set a temporary export target of around 9,000 Niro PHEVs for this year, while expecting overseas shipments to rise up to 20,000 units next year.
“The eco-friendly Niro PHEV is highly competitive in terms of design, performance and fuel economy. The model is expected to draw much attention from overseas motorists,” said a Kia official.
Kia is said to be placing high expectations on the US market, the second-largest car market in the world, after its Niro ad for this year‘s Super Bowl received rave reviews.
(
theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)