Kia's Electric SUV EV5 Arrives in Singapore as First Locally Made EV

Kia's EV5 electric SUV has been a hit in several overseas markets and is now arriving in Singapore as the company's first locally made EV in the region. The EV5 is made at Yueda Kia's manufacturing plant in China and exported to markets like Australia and Thailand. In Singapore, the EV5 will be sold in three variants, with prices starting at $194,000 (SDG) for the base Air trim. Kia plans to launch the global version of the EV5 later this year, which will be made at its Autoland Gwangju manufacturing plant in South Korea and sold in overseas markets, including Europe and Canada.

Kia's latest electric SUV, the EV5, has made its debut in Singapore, marking a significant milestone for the local electric vehicle (EV) market. The EV5 is the first electric vehicle (EV) to be assembled in Singapore and sold exclusively here. The vehicle is produced at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre (HMGICS) in the Jurong Innovation District, a high-tech facility that has been assembling EVs since 2023.

The EV5, a five-seat sport utility vehicle, comes in three variants: two with a power output of 100kW, qualifying for a Category A certificate of entitlement (COE), and one with a more powerful 230kW engine, falling under Category B. These variants offer an operating range of between 400km and 540km on a full charge, with prices starting from $194,000 SGD, inclusive of COE.

The assembly process of the EV5 is highly automated, with around 200 robots involved and a production time of seven hours. According to Dr Hyun Sung Park, the chief executive of HMGICS, approximately 67% of the assembly and inspection process is automated. This automation not only ensures efficiency but also maintains high standards of quality.

The launch of the EV5 in Singapore is a significant step for Kia, which aims to sell 4.2 million EVs globally by 2030. In 2024, the company delivered 3.1 million vehicles worldwide, including EVs and combustion engine models. The EV5's local assembly is part of Kia's strategy to expand its EV presence in the region, with the vehicle exclusively sold in Singapore.

The EV5's arrival in Singapore coincides with a slight increase in EV registrations. According to the Land Transport Authority, Hyundai registered 708 EVs in 2024, up from 693 units in 2023. Kia, on the other hand, registered 48 EVs in 2024, down from 53 units the previous year. The introduction of the EV5 may help boost Kia's EV sales in Singapore.

The EV5's global version is set to be launched later this year, with production at Kia's Autoland Gwangju manufacturing plant in South Korea. This global version will be sold in overseas markets, including Europe and Canada.

The EV5's local assembly and sale in Singapore are part of a broader trend of increasing EV production and sales in the region. As the demand for EVs continues to grow, so too will the need for local manufacturing capabilities. The EV5's success in Singapore could pave the way for more locally assembled EVs in the future.

References:
[1] https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-singapore-local-assembled-kia-ev5-suv-on-sale
[2] https://www.techedt.com/locally-built-kia-ev5-suv-now-available-in-singapore