The Business Car Files Kia UK
Paul Philpott, UK President and CEO
Kia’s profile in the fleet sector continues to grow, thanks to EV models such as the established EV6, and the new EV9. Martyn Collins speaks to UK president and CEO Paul Philpott.
I
first ask Paul Philpott what the corporate/ fleet focus for Kia is this year? He said: “In corporate, we’re building up our credentials in the fleet marketplace, and this year’s focus is two-fold. One, is building our reputation further as a supplier of outstanding electric vehicles – which by 2030 needs to be 80% of our sales. “So, we’re further putting building blocks in place around EVs, which now are the Niro EV, EV6, and EV9. With the EV3 SUV to come at the end of this year – which is a smaller SUV.
“The rate of progress we’re making with EVs is phenomenal, and I think clearly with the Benefit in Kind (BIK) advantage that EVs have for company car drivers, when there are no current incentives for retail buyers, fleet becomes really important to us for EVs. “Alongside that, this year to meet our ZEV mandate requirements, we’re looking at a 20% mix of EVs, which means 80% are either ICE, Hybrid, or plug-in hybrid, and that continues, or maintains our momentum in fleet that we have.”
Philpott tells me that with Kia in key fleet sectors, there is more focus on the Sportage and Niro PHEV and hybrid versions. He said: “If you take Sportage and Niro together, they account for over 50% of our fleet sales. From a model line level, Sportage and Niro are our two best-selling products.
“If you take the core heartland of mid-size SUVs, and you add on EVs, then together they’re about two-thirds of everything we’ll sell.” I go on to ask if he has noticed more interest in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models since the rolling back of the ICE engine ban to 2035? He said: “I think interest was always there. For many fleet customers, they’re not yet in a position where they can make the leap from an ICE vehicle to an EV, and therefore to have a hybrid or plug-in hybrid are useful stepping stones towards EVs.
“I think now the messaging is quite clear, at some stage in the future we will all be driving an EV. For those people that can have a home charger, and perhaps have access to charging at their place of work, then it’s starting to make real sense. But 80% of our buyers will be choosing ICE, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid models. I think to be a manufacturer that offers
32 | April 2024 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
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