Kia Launches First City Store in China, Showing Off EV6

Photo: Kia

As Kia shifts its business strategy to focus on electric vehicles (EVs), the Korean automaker is increasing its presence in China as it launches new ways to reach consumers interested in clean energy vehicles.

Kia launched its first “City Store” in China as part of its shifting EV strategy, located in Xi’an, Shaanxi in the country’s northwest region, according to a report from CnEVPost following the automaker’s announcement on Sunday.

The City Store is set to display the Kia EV6, and is reportedly expected to be a new channel for the company’s electrification, adding a new platform to help the company revolutionize its user experience.

The Kia City Store in Xi’an is in the central city district in a local Wangfujing department store, not unlike those that can be found in malls and other shopping centers from Tesla, NIO and still other automakers.

The news comes just weeks after Kia increased the EV6 price by around $7,000, while dropping the entry-level model of the EV.

Kia is also set to produce the EV6 in the U.S. beginning in 2024, supporting its plans to build as many as 14 EVs by 2027.

The EV6 will become available to customers in China in 2023, offering 800-volt fast-charging for charging from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, along with the ability to go from 0 to 100km/hr in just 3.5 seconds.