Kia opened online reservations for its flagship EV9 electric SUV in Canada on Monday. Despite only allocating just over 500 EV9 models, the electric SUV received “notably high” reservations. So much so Kia plans to relaunch the program.
Kia launches a new flagship electric SUV
The South Korean automaker’s first three-row electric SUV is expected to serve as a symbol of what’s to come from Kia in the new electric era.
Kia officially introduced the EV9 to the world in March, claiming it’s bringing the three-row SUV into the EV era with available features that matter the most. These include ample interior space (for cargo and passengers), up to 5,000 lbs of towing capabilities, enhanced vehicle dynamics, and modern tech and software.
The electric SUV is based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform – the same one that powers the IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, featuring fourth-gen battery tech and fast charging (10% to 80% in under 25 minutes).
At up to 5,015 mm (197 in) long, the EV9 is slightly longer than the Telluride with a similar height of 1,780 mm (70 in) and width of 1,980 mm (78 in). It also puts the electric SUV in the same category as the Ford Explorer at 199 inches long, 79 inches wide, and 70 inches tall.
Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia Canada)
The exterior features Kia’s new dynamic design with a new Tiger Face grill up front to replace the Kia “Tiger Nose” grill we have grown accustomed to.
Kia’s flagship electric SUV is essentially a mobile living room with the automaker’s most advanced interior yet.
Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia Canada)
This includes Kia’s next-gen ultramodern Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system, executive seats (for everyone, not just those up front) with included “Relaxation Mode,” and centrally mounted, hidden-until-lit haptic switches for key infotainment features that appear when the EV9 is turned on.
Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia Canada)
It also includes an optional Digital Rearview Mirror to replace the traditional one, 14-speaker 708-watt Meridian Premium Audio, and LED lighting for the Kia logo on the steering wheel.
The Kia EV9 will feature the latest in-vehicle software and connectivity tech, which includes Kia’s most advanced Highway Driving Pilot, onboard power generator abilities (through V2L), and OTA updates.
Kia EV9 GT-line interior (Source: Kia)
Kia EV9’s strong sales start
Kia reportedly began EV9 deliveries in its home market on June 19, according to information from the Korea Economic Daily. After eight days on the market, the electric SUV gathered over 13,000 preorders.
The automaker sold 1,334 EV9 models during its first month on the market, nearly outselling the EV6 electric crossover. An official from the automaker said over 50% of preorders are from new customers.
Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
Kia launched the EV9 in another big auto market in Canada Monday. In Canada, the EV9 is offered with a 99.8 kWh battery with a single motor configuration providing 298 mi (480 km) targeted range. Or, Kia is offering a dual-motor 379 hp (283 kW) AWD configuration with up to 516 lb-ft of torque.
After seeing buyers rushing in on social media, Electrek reached out to Kia to see how the first day of sales went.
According to Kia’s Canada website on Monday, there were only 527 vehicles available for sale (I was number 55,542 in the queue Monday afternoon before the site crashed). A Kia spokesperson tells Electrek:
The demand was notably high for EV9 reservations in Canada, so much so that it was higher traffic to the website than anticipated. We’ve temporarily paused reservations, as some requests were not processed.
Kia says it will relaunch the reservation program, and those interested should stay keep a lookout in their email, Kia.Ca, and on its social channels for more information.
Kia EV9 electric SUV models (Source: Kia)
Meanwhile, Kia plans to launch the EV9 in the US by the end of the year. The three-row electric SUV will come in two powertrain options, including a standard 76.1 kWh battery with a 215 hp (160 kW) motor. Buyers can opt for the optional 99.8 kWh battery detailed above.
The EV9 will be Kia’s first electric vehicle assembled in the US. Assembly is expected to begin at its West Point, Georgia facility, starting next year.
Kia has yet to release prices but based on prices in other markets, we expect the EV9 to start around $60K for the standard battery and upwards of $70K for the larger one.
Electrek’s Take
Obviously, 500 units is not a lot to allocate. However, as its flagship EV, it’s encouraging to see higher-than-expected demand in several markets so far.
By the looks of it, Kia may want to consider distributing more (and maybe a new website). Although many of the early units are being allocated in its home market, demand for electric SUVs is growing globally.
Perhaps Kia will have enough to meet the demand once production begins in Georgia next year. We’ll update you as the Kia EV9 rolls out across the US, Canada, and other key markets.
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A team of white hat European hackers using their brains, keyboards, and a couple of bits and baubles from eBay managed to take control of a 2020 Nissan LEAF and violate just about every privacy and safety regulation in the process.
The best part: they recorded the whole thing.
Budapest-based cybersecurity experts PCAutomotive were able to exploit a number of vulnerabilities in a 2020 Nissan LEAF that enabled the white hat team to geolocate and track the car, record the texts and conversations happening inside the car, playing media back through the car’s speakers, and even (this is the genuinely terrifying dangerous part) turning the steering wheel while the car was moving. (!?)
Maybe the scariest part of this hack, however, is how seemingly easy it was to pull off by starting with a “test bench simulator” built using parts from eBay and exploiting a vulnerability in the LEAF’s DNS C2 channel and Bluetooth protocol.
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The PCAutomotive team gave a hugely detailed 118-page presentation of their exploit at black hat Asia 2025, which we’ve included at the bottom of this post, in case the original link goes dead. If you’re into that sort of thing, the fun stuff starts around page 27. And, if you’re not, just know that all the vulnerabilities were disclosed to Nissan and its suppliers between 02AUG2023 and 12SEP2024 (p. 116/118), and the “attack” itself can be seen in the video below that. Enjoy!
Summary of vulnerabilities
CVE-2025-32056 – Anti-Theft bypass
CVE-2025-32057 – app_redbend: MiTM attack
CVE-2025-32058 – v850: Stack Overflow in CBR processing
CVE-2025-32059 – Stack buffer overflow leading to RCE [0]
CVE-2025-32060 – Absence of a kernel module signature verification
CVE-2025-32061 – Stack buffer overflow leading to RCE [1]
CVE-2025-32062 – Stack buffer overflow leading to RCE [2]
PCA_NISSAN_009 – Improper traffic filtration between CAN buses
CVE-2025-32063 – Persistence for Wi-Fi network
PCA_NISSAN_012 – Persistence through CVE-2017-7932 in HAB of i.MX 6
Unfortunately, this is also one of those posts that some of the more clueless anti-EV hysterics will point to and say, “See!? EVs can get hacked!” But the reality is that virtually any car with electric power steering (EPS), electronic throttle controls, brake-by-wire, etc. can be hacked in a similar way. But, while steering a target’s car into an oncoming semi might be a great way to pull off a covert CIA assassination, the more worrying issue here is the breach of privacy and recording – unless you want to spend some time in El Salvadoran prison, I guess.
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A major new EV battery factory is being built in Sunderland, bringing 1,000 new jobs with it. AESC, Nissan’s battery partner, is behind the £1 billion ($1.33 billion) plant, which will boost the UK’s EV battery production by six times, enough to power 100,000 electric cars annually.
The 12 GWh capacity plant, AESC’s second battery plant in Sunderland, will be powered by 100% net-zero carbon energy. That big jump in capacity helps position Britain as a global player in EV manufacturing while pushing forward the country’s net-zero goals.
The investment is getting a serious financial lift from the British government. Through a combination of support from the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance, the project is unlocking £680 million in financing from major banks, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, SMBC Group, Societe Generale, and BBVA, that covers the construction and operation of the battery factory. Another £320 million is coming from private investment and fresh equity from AESC. On top of all that, the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund is pitching in with £150 million in grant funding.
This deal follows closely on the heels of the new UK-US trade agreement announced a day earlier, which cuts car export tariffs from 27.5% down to 10% for up to 100,000 UK-made vehicles – nearly the total number exported last year. That move could save car companies hundreds of millions of pounds and help protect good-paying jobs in manufacturing hubs like Sunderland.
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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves visited AESC in Sunderland, where she met with staff and local leaders to discuss what this means for the Northeast and the British car industry.
“This investment follows hot on the heels of yesterday’s landmark economic deal with the US, which will save thousands of jobs in the industry,” Reeves said.
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It’s about the future of their jobs. Ford workers at two plants in western Germany are set to go on strike on Wednesday, their works council chief said on Monday.
Ford is facing a worker strike in Germany
In November, Ford announced it would cut around 4,000 jobs in Europe by 2027 as part of a restructuring, primarily in Germany and the UK. That’s still about 14% of its European workforce.
The American automaker said the move comes after it has incurred “significant losses” in recent years and a “highly disruptive market” with new EVs quickly gaining market share.
Ford blamed slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles and a weak economic situation. It also plans to slow production at its Cologne EV plant, where the electric Explorer and Capri are built.
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Last week, IG Metall members voted in favor of “industrial action” with 93.5% of votes in favor of a strike. “Ford must act now—otherwise, we will go through with it,” said Kerstin D. Klein, Chief Representative of IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen.
Ford Explorer EV production in Cologne (Source: Ford)
Ford is facing an influx of new competition, including Chinese EV makers like BYD. BYD’s overseas sales are surging with a fifth straight month of growth in April.
BYD even outsold Tesla in Germany last month, with 1,566 vehicles registered. In comparison, Tesla had just 855, and Ford saw 9,534 registrations.
Ford’s electric vehicles in Europe from left to right: Puma Gen-E, Explorer, Capri, and Mustang Mach-E (Source: Ford)
On top of this, Ford, like most of the industry, is preparing for more disruption with Trump’s auto tariffs. After releasing Q1 earnings last week, Ford warned that the tariffs could cost up to $2.5 billion this year.
During Ford’s earnings call, CFO Sherry House said that recent EV launches in Europe, including the Explorer, Capri, and Puma Gen-E, helped more than double Model e’s wholesale volume in Q1.
After early success in the US, Ford also launched its “Power Promise” promotion in Europe, offering EV buyers a free home charger and several other perks.