We are finally getting a glimpse of the new Kia electric vehicles set to join its growing lineup. A leaked image reveals the upcoming EV3 and EV4 before their debut tomorrow, October 12.
Kia teased an image of five electric vehicles earlier this month that it will show off at its upcoming EV Day.
The automaker explained it will unveil “three new small to medium electric models” at the event. On the far left, you can distinguish the brand’s first dedicated EV, the EV6, by its headlights.
On the far right is Kia’s flagship seven-seater EV9, which will be available to order in the US later this month. The EV9 will be available in four trims with an MSRP of $54,900. Kia claims the EV9 will be a “wake-up call” to the industry with true SUV capabilities, an 800V platform, bidirectional charging, and a tech-loaded spacious interior.
Given its headlights, we speculated that the compact EV5 SUV was up front. Kia revealed the EV5 in August in China, slated to compete with Tesla’s Model Y with a starting price of around $22,000 (159,800 yuan).
Kia’s new EV lineup to be revealed at EV Day (Source: The Korean Car Blog)
Kia plans to announce “detailed specifications” for the upcoming EV5 on EV Day tomorrow, October 12.
Kia reveals two new electric vehicles
With the EV6, EV9, and EV5 covered, that leaves two new electric vehicles. One appeared to be a sporty electric sedan (EV3), and the other a compact crossover to sit below the EV5 (EV4).
Kia’s compact electric crossover, the EV4, was recently spotted testing in the US. From the first looks, its design is influenced by the EV9, with a boxy Soul-like body.
(Source: AutoExpress)
You see stacked LED headlights through the heavy camo, similar to the larger EV9. Industry rumors suggest prices will be between $30,000 and $40,000, filling the gap left by the Soul EV.
The interior will likely include Kia’s digital cockpit with a modern dual-screen setup and the latest software.
Less is known about the EV3 electric sedan, but Kia has mentioned it will cover all segments with electric vehicles. Prices are expected to start under $30,000.
The South Korean automaker aims to launch 15 new EVs by 2027 to drive 1.6 million in sales by 2030. Kia is transitioning the brand into the electric era with a new logo, design, and strategy.
Kia’s EV Day will be a new annual tradition highlighting new electric vehicles, concepts, technology, and more. Stay tuned for more info as Kia unveils the full details at EV day tomorrow.
A dump truck moves raw ore inside the pit at the Mountain Pass mine, operated by MP Materials, in Mountain Pass, California, U.S., on Friday, June 7, 2019.
Joe Buglewicz | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Shares of U.S. rare earth miners surged in early trading Monday, after President Donald Trump threatened China with retaliation over its strict export controls.
Trump on Friday threatened China with a “massive” increase in tariffs in retaliation for Beijing imposing strict export controls on rare earth elements. The president then dialed down his rhetoric on Sunday, saying the situation with China will “be fine.”
The Defense Department, meanwhile, is accelerating its effort to stockpile $1 billion worth of critical minerals, according to The Financial Times.
And JPMorgan Chase said Monday it would invest up to $10 billion in companies that are crucial to U.S. national security.
“It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing — all of which are essential for our national security,” JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in press release.
Rare earths are a subset of critical minerals that are crucial inputs in U.S. weapons platforms, robotics, electric vehicles and other applications.
Bloom Energy power storage equipment in San Ramon, California.
Smith Collection | Gado | Archive Photos | Getty Images
Shares of Bloom Energy surged Monday after striking a deal with Brookfield to deploy fuel cells for artificial intelligence data centers.
Brookfield will spend up to $5 billion to deploy Bloom Energy’s technology, the first investment in its strategy to support big AI data centers with power and computing infrastructure.
Shares of Bloom Energy were up more than 30% in early trading. Bloom’s fuel cells provide onsite power that can be deployed quickly because they do not rely on the electric grid.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC last week that the AI industry will need to build power off the electric to meet demand quickly and protect consumers from rising electricity prices.
“Data center self-generated power could move a lot faster than putting it on the grid and we have to do that,” Huang told CNBC on Oct. 8.
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JPMorgan Chase on Monday said it is launching a decade-long plan to help finance and take direct stakes in companies it considers crucial to U.S. interests.
The bank said in a statement it would invest up to $10 billion into companies in four areas: defense and aerospace, “frontier” technologies including AI and quantum computing, energy technology including batteries, and supply chain and advanced manufacturing.
The money is part of a broader effort, dubbed the Security and Resiliency Initiative, in which JPMorgan said it will finance or facilitate $1.5 trillion in funding for companies it identifies as crucial. It said the total amount is 50% more than a previous plan.
“It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing — all of which are essential for our national security,” JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in the release.
As the biggest American bank by assets and a Wall Street juggernaut, JPMorgan was already raising funds and lending money to companies in those industries. But the move helps organize the company’s activities around national interests at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.
On Friday, markets tumbled as President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports after the major U.S. trading partner tightened export controls on rare earths.
In the release, Dimon said that the U.S. needs to “remove obstacles” including excessive regulations, “bureaucratic delay” and “partisan gridlock.”
JPMorgan said that within the four major areas, there were 27 specific industries it would look to support with advice, financing and investments. That includes areas as diverse as nanomaterials, autonomous robots, spacecraft and space launches, and nuclear and solar power.
“Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America’s economy,” Dimon said. “This new initiative includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centers.”
The bank said it would hire an unspecified numbers of bankers and create an external advisory council to support its initiative.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.