Kia aims to enter a new software-driven era with its flagship EV9 electric SUV. The EV9 will be the Hyundai Motor Group’s first model to offer on-demand features and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The Hyundai Motor Group, including the Kia and Genesis brands, surpassed GM, Nissan, and Stellantis last year to become the third-largest global automaker.
Hyundai believes it can also become an EV powerhouse, among the top three based on sales by 2030. According to the South Korean automaker, its first dedicated EV, the IONIQ 5 electric SUV, is already attracting new “premium” buyers.
Kia, a brand generally associated with affordability, is using the new electric era to redefine its image. With the brand’s first dedicated EV, the EV6 crossover, Kia is already challenging the status quo.
The souped-up 576-hp Kia EV6 GT will beat a Ferrari Roma, Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder RWD, and Lamborghini Aventador SVJ (see the video here) off the line and costs just over $61,000.
Compared to the cost of a Ferrari Roma (starting at $250,000), Lamborghini Huracan ($270,000), or Lamborghini Aventador SVJ (+$500,000), the Kia EV6 GT gives buyers an attractive all-electric performance car at a fraction of the cost.
Even the Porsche Taycan GTS, which the EV6 edges out in 0 to 60 mph (3.4 sec vs. 3.5 sec), costs twice as much starting at $134,100.
With the launch of the EV9, Kia is taking on another big market with a luxury three-row SUV. The flagship Kia EV9 SUV will be the first Hyundai model to offer on-demand features and OTA software updates.
Kia enters new software-defined era with EV9 electric SUV
On Thursday, Kia revealed its Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) technology with the EV9 as the first model to offer a range of digital features and software available through the Kia Connect Store.
The Kia EV9 was officially launched in March as a three-row SUV based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform loaded with features, including OTA updates, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, and up to 336 miles of range.
The automaker says that through OTA software updates, drivers will have access to new innovative experiences which will be continuously introduced, such as Highway Driving Pilot (HDP).
With upgradeable software, EV9 drivers can access the latest safety, convenience, connectivity, and driving performance functions through the Kia Connect Store.
The Kia Connect Store currently offers features like Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 and Lightning Pattern which allows you to adjust the small cube lamps adjacent to the vehicle’s two vertical headlamps.
Starting with the EV9, the Hyundai Motor Group, including its sister brands Kia and Genesis, are accelerating toward Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs).
Electrek’s Take
As automakers look to drive revenue and growth amid shrinking margins, there is a clear trend toward software-driven electric vehicles.
Hyundai and Kia are the latest automakers to announce they will move toward SDVs by introducing technology like OTA updates and on-demand services.
Ford CEO Jim Farley highlighted this idea on Tuesday’s first-quarter earnings call, explaining how on his trip to China, he noticed that “customers are no longer just attracted to traditional luxury brands with EVs or even hardware design anymore.”
He went on to explain:
The best new brands are offering integrated digital, retail, lifestyle and experience that are software defined.
Ford’s BlueCruise gained 65% more miles traveled in the first three months of the year, and as Farley said, “the reason why that’s growing so fast is because we continue to do OTAs” to continuously improve it and attract subscribers with new features.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
The luxury carmaker channeled its inner superhero with this one. Genesis unveiled the new GV60 Mountain Intervention Vehicle (MIV) this week in Switzerland, an off-road EV that can climb mountains. The concept is designed for extreme rescue missions. Check it out below.
Meet the Genesis GV60 MIV rescue EV concept
Genesis showed off the new GV60 MIV this week at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Crowds lined up to see it at the AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort, not far from the WEF venue.
Based on its first dedicated EV, the GV60, the concept is designed to tackle extreme terrain and weather on rescue missions.
The purpose-built vehicle gains off-road elements like snow tracks and medical and emergency communication systems for rescue missions on mountains or other extreme terrain. Other upgrades include a custom heavy-duty roof rack and rear hatch rack.
Genesis added large carbon fender flares to warn those nearby and protect the vehicle from damage in extreme weather.
With a fully electric powertrain, the Genesis GV60 MIV has no tailpipe emissions, protecting the environment. It’s also nearly silent, with minimal noise pollution.
Inside, the off-road electric SUV includes custom sports seats, adding to the GV60’s already impressive interior design.
The concept follows the upgraded GV60, revealed earlier this month. Genesis updated it with redesigned front and rear bumpers, more tech, and added luxury.
Genesis GV60 MIV concept (Source: Genesis)
Like the new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, based on the same E-GMP platform, the upgraded GV60 is expected to feature a bigger battery providing more range. Powered by an 84 kWh battery, the 2025MY now has up to 318 miles range, up from 303 miles in the outgoing model (77.4 kWh battery).
The 2025 Genesis GV60 starts at $52,350 in the US and has a range of up to 294 miles. Once the upgraded model arrives in 2026, the electric SUV could have a range of up to 300 miles.
2025 Genesis GV60 trim
Range (EPA-est)
Starting Price*
Standard RWD
294 miles
$52,350
Standard AWD
264 miles
$55,850
Advanced AWD
248 miles
$60,900
Performance AWD
235 miles
$69,900
2025 Genesis GV60 prices and range by trim (*excluding $1,350 destination fee)
What do you think of the GV60 MIV? Should Genesis get these onto the mountains? Or should it stick to on-road luxury cars? Let us know in the comments.
A ship carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) is towed out of the Port of Rotterdam on January 13, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Pierre Crom | Getty Images
Natural gas exporter Venture Global will begin trading Friday in the first major initial public offering under the Trump administration, testing investor appetite for energy stocks as the White House looks to implement a sweeping agenda aimed at boosting oil and gas production.
“The Trump administration has made very clear they support growing LNG exports,” Venture CEO Mike Sabel told CNBC in an interview Friday.
Venture Global is currently the second-largest LNG exporter in the U.S. behind Cheniere. Venture priced its initial public offering of 70 million shares at $25 to raise $1.75 billion for a total valuation of $60.5 billion.
This is far below the company’s original target. Venture had originally planned to offer 50 million shares in a range of $40 to $46, which would have raised about $2.2 billion at the midpoint for a total valuation of $110 billion.
Still, Venture’s IPO is the largest by an oil and gas company in a decade and the fourth-largest since 2000. At a valuation of around $60 billion, it would be the tenth-largest publicly traded energy company.
Venture is locked in arbitration with customers, including majors such as Shell, over contracted deliveries from its Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana.
President Donald Trump on Monday declared a national energy emergency and issued an executive order overturning the Biden administration’s pause on new LNG export projects, removing a potential obstacle to Venture’s growth.
Trump’s policies, combined with cold winter weather and expected robust demand from artificial intelligence, is helping to drive both natural gas prices and related stocks higher. Cheniere shares, for example, have climbed more than 20% since Trump was elected. Natural gas prices rose 44% over that same time.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Don’t miss these energy insights from CNBC PRO:
Correction: Venture Global’s CEO is Mike Sabel. An earlier version of this story misspelled his name.
Rivian (RIVN) already has several automakers reaching out about potential supply deals for software and other EV tech. According to Rivian’s Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, its new partnership with Volkswagen has other OEMs “knocking on our door.”
Will Rivian and VW supply EV tech to other automakers?
After launching “Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC,” their new software and EV joint venture in November, the collaboration is already showing potential.
Bensaid, who co-leads the new joint venture with VW’s Casten Helbing, said in an interview on Thursday (via Reuters) that the collaboration is in talks with at least a few other automakers over potential supply deals for software and EV architecture.
“I’d say that many other OEMs are knocking on our door,” he said. Although no names or other details were revealed, Bensaid added that “there is demand.”
The software leader explained that Rivian is prioritizing its smaller, more affordable R2 until 2027 while integrating the new tech into upcoming VW, Audi, Porsche, and Scout brand EVs.
Bensaid added that the new JV “today becomes one of the key partners” for other automakers who want to “make a leap from a technological standpoint.”
Production at Rivian’s Normal, IL plant (Source: Rivian)
Last week, German news outlet Spiegel reported that VW could expand the partnership with Rivian. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said, “We are thinking about sharing modules and bundling purchasing volumes.”
VW is already planning to invest $5.8 billion, which, according to Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, is a “meaningful financial opportunity.”
Rivian’s next-gen R2, R3, and R3X (Source: Rivian)
Rivian is already using the platform and software stack on its Gen 2 R1S electric SUV and R1T pickup, a drastic upgrade from the previous version. The architecture uses seven electronic control units (ECUs), down from 17 in the Gen 1 models.
The new models also include Rivian’s new in-house autonomy system, the Rivian Autonomy Platform, which consists of 11 cameras, five radars, and other features for added driver assist (ADAS) features.
Rivian Gen 1 vs Gen 2 ECUs (Source: Rivian)
At the opening of the new Rivian Space in San Francisco on Thursday, Scaringe said the company plans to roll out hands-free driving this year. It’s expected to be similar to Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (FSD). In 2026, Rivian will launch an “eyes-free” system as it advances new tech and software.
Electrek’s Take
The JV with Volkswagen could be significant for Rivian as it looks to accelerate growth in 2025. After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April for upgrades, Scaringe said the company is already seeing “a meaningful reduction” in material costs.
Rivian’s R2, starting at around $45,000, is expected to open an entire new market. Analysts expect the VW partnership to provide enough funding for the R2 to enter production, which is expected in the first half of 2026.
Last week, Rivian closed its loan agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) for up to $6.6 billion in financing for its new manufacturing plant in Georgia. The EV maker has already started hiring construction and management workers, with recruitment “expected to ramp quickly.”
Will Rivian’s EV architecture and software “become the platform of choice in the Western world” aside from Tesla? That’s what Canaccord Genuity analysts said in a note to investors.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.