Kia Niro EV in hot demand

The first shipment of new Kia Niro EVs has landed in New Zealand with dealerships using them as demonstrators.

That will allow as many people as possible to experience a 100% electric Kia, Kia Motors (NZ) marketing manager Greg MacDonald says.

While expecting a strong response to the SUV, MacDonald says the company has been pleasantly surprised by the “massive” interest shown by Kiwis in the Niro EV.

That huge interest, both here and overseas, is proving a double-edged sword as it will inevitably mean longer lead times for Niro EV orders – likely to be between six and 12 months, he says.

“It’s certainly not ideal to be having to make customers wait that long,” MacDonald says. “However, we live in changing times, with a large wave of shifting consumer tastes (ICE to electric) perhaps more so than ever before in the car industry.

“That massive change coupled with Kia Niro EV being the first SUV EV, at a particularly strong price point, with up to 455kms of range and we are seeing large demand and a resulting delay in delivery times.”

MacDonald says Kia focused on direct communication with potential Niro EV customers, which has proven successful.

Eastwood Motor Group dealer principal Gary Allan says the Masterton dealership was among the first to get a Niro EV in New Zealand , one arriving about a week ago. He says potential customers can try it and pre-order, as he hopes to get a few more during the year. “People who get in quick will get one sooner than others.”

Allan says interest is strong with the Niro EV especially suitable for the around 200km return commute from the Wairarapa to Wellington.

Kia has two versions – the Kia Niro EV EX 289 for NZ$67,990 and the Kia Niro EV EX 455 for NZ$73,990 – both with the same 150kW power output.

The 455 model has a 64kWh battery with 455km range. The lower-priced version has a 39.2kWh battery with 289km range.

Meanwhile, the Niro EV and the Kia Soul EV are expected to debut in Australia at the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne in January 2020.

Kia sponsors the event and expects to use fully electric vehicles to shuttle personnel around.

Kia Motors Australia says the two EVs will be competitively priced.