Kia Niro PHEV has declined due to low demand, may return if demand changes

The next generation 2023 Kia Nero The range is only a few weeks away from the Australian market, though only two of the three available powertrain variants will go down under.

Kia Australia has officially confirmed that it has decided to drop Nero Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Due to lower demand for plug-in hybrids in the Australian market, this was reflected in local Nero sales.

The previous generation Nero 2021 annual sales figures for 742 units were 465 Nero hybrids, 217 Nero EVs and only 60 Nero plug-in hybrids.

The PHEV sales flounder continues here, in part due to the lack of European-style incentives and CO2 targets.

As of the end of May, Australian plug-in hybrid cars and SUVs sold only 2,370 units, with 8,527 electric cars and 34,650 hybrids.

But Roland Rivero, Kier’s local product planning boss, said Care Expert Nero PHV can be offered in the form of its next generation in the future if we have market demand.

“The lesson we learned from first-generation Nero is that Australians have an appetite for hybrids or EVs,” Mr Rivero said.

“But, that doesn’t mean we don’t plan for plug-in hybrids. We have integrated PHV. ”

“So, if the Australian market suddenly decides that it has a big appetite for PHEV, we can definitely turn on the tap,” Mr Rivero added.

Kia’s local product boss has indicated that the Australian division expects to split from 100 to 150 Nero units per month for both the HEV and EV powertrain variants, as well as for both the S and GT-line trim levels.

Mr Rivero said Kia Australia was predicting a new Nero EV as a high-volume model. Further, GT-Line models are expected to account for the lion’s share of sales across both variants of the Powertrain.

While pricing and full specifications for the local range are yet to be confirmed, Mr Rivero said the company was “looking to add value” to the outgoing line-up, including the launch of the Kia Connect online service.

You can read our coverage of the 2023 Kia Niro Preliminary Confirmed Details Here.

The outgoing Nero Hybrid S starts at $ 39,990 plus on-road ($ 41,990 D / A) whereas Hybrid Sport costs $ 43,890 or $ 45,990 drive-away before on-road. Meanwhile, the Niro EV S starts at 62,950 ($ 67,490 D / A) and the EV Sport starts at 65,990 ($ 70,990 D / A).

Mr Rivero’s comments indicate that the new generation Nero HIV S will start at the low-$ 40,000 mark, the GT-line close to the $ 50,000. Similarly, the Niro EV will have to play in the low-$ 60,000 bracket for the S and the GT-Line camouflage the base EV6 Air ($ 67,990).

Compared to rival brands, the Nero Hybrid Range will compete with the hybrid Toyota CHR and RAV4, where the Nero EV will continue to play against the base version of the Tesla Model 3 as well as the Polyester 2 and the related Hyundai Kona Electric Extended. Range.

Stay tuned Care Expert For the latest, and in the comments below let us know if you are hanging out for Kia Nero PHEV.

More: Kia Nero here in June with 2023 Kia Connect
More: Kia Nero everything