Kia surprisingly tops Hyundai in market value with affordable EVs rolling out
For the first time since 2001, Kia surpassed Hyundai in market value with new affordable EVs rolling out this year. Kia is now South Korea’s fifth most-valued stock at $31 billion (41.3 trillion won).
Kia surpasses Hyundai in market value
Hyundai, which saved Kia from bankruptcy in 1998, owns around a third of the South Korean automaker.
The Hyundai Motor Group was formed in 2000 after buying out Kia. In 2003, the first Hyundai Genesis arrived, and in 2015, the luxury brand became a standalone marque.
Kia’s stock is surging after announcing fourth-quarter earnings and 2024 guidance on January 25th. The plans include a KRW 500 billion ($376 million) share buyback plan and 3.2 million in sales (wholesale).
The automaker is targeting 3.4% operating profit growth and an operating profit ratio of 11.9% in 2024.
Despite a “difficult business environment” expected this year, Kia plans to keep the momentum up by launching new lower-cost EVs. Kia said it plans to “pursue sustainable growth by strengthening our leadership in the eco-friendly car market.”
Kia is launching price-competitive electric models, including the EV3, EV4, and EV5. The new low-cost EVs were revealed during Kia’s first EV day in October.
Affordable Kia EVs will charge up sales growth
Kia is in a good position to take advantage of the growing demand for affordable EVs, according to YongJin Jung, an analyst at Shinhan Securities.
Jung predicts Kia’s EV sales will grow another 50% this year to 270,000. As many rivals are pulling back EV guidance, 50% growth would make Kia a standout, Jung explained.
Kia’s new “EVs for all” vision includes models priced from $30,000 to $80,000. The new EV3, EV4, and EV5 will be priced between $20,000 and $50,000.
Kia already launched the EV5, a compact electric SUV to rival Tesla’s Model Y, in China last November. Starting prices were even lower than expected at around $21,000 (149,800 yuan).
The EV3 and EV4 concepts were introduced for the first time. The EV3 is an electric crossover based on the flagship EV9 but in a compact package. It features a bold design with Kia’s “Opposites United” theme. The EV3’s interior provides ample space with ergonomic seats and mood lighting.
Meanwhile, the EV4 is an “entirely new type of EV sedan.” It includes a low nose, sleek silhouette, and roof spoiler for a sports car sedan feel.
Kia also introduced its cheapest electric car yet, the new Ray EV, last summer in South Korea, starting at $20,000 (27.35 million won).
The new affordable EVs are a big reason why Kia topped Hyundai in market value. Kia sold 111,545 EVs in 2023, while Hyundai sold 158,110, according to data from BloombergNEF.
In the US, Kia launched a new Light Long Range trim for the 2024 EV6. The new variant starts at $45,950 (excluding dest.) with up to 310 miles range. Kia’s base EV6 starts at $42,600 with up to 232 miles range.
Electrek’s Take
While many rivals, including Ford, GM, VW, and Toyota, are pulling back on EV initiatives, Kia (and Hyundai) are surging ahead.
Kia believes its new affordable EVs will help accelerate sales, and investors are clearly on board. Hyundai, including Kia, has already overtaken Ford and GM to become the second-largest EV maker in the US behind Tesla.
The automaker just completed an eight-month transformation at its manufacturing plant in South Korea, its first plant upgrade dedicated to EVs.
Kia will produce new electric models, including the EV3 and EV4, at the facility. Once complete, the plant will be able to build 150,000 EVs annually.
The new electric models will play a key role as Kia aims to sell one million EVs by 2026. By 2030, Kia looks to sell 1.6 million EVs with a full electric lineup.
Source: Bloomberg
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The US Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $1.2 billion in financing to replace Puerto Rico’s fossil fuel plants with solar and battery storage through 2032.
The DOE’s Loan Programs Office announced two conditional commitments and one loan closing to power producers in Puerto Rico. Each supports a project contracted with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The announcements include:
- The closing of a $584.5 million loan guarantee to subsidiaries of Convergent Energy to finance a 100 MW solar farm with a 55 MW (55 MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in the municipality of Coamo and BESS installations in the municipalities of Caguas (25MW/100MWh), Peñuelas (100MW/400MWh), and Ponce (up to 100MW/400MWh)
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $133.6 million to a subsidiary of Infinigen for a 32.1 MW solar farm with an integrated 14.45 MW (4.76 MWh) BESS, and a co-located standalone 50 MW (200 MWh) BESS expansion in the municipality of Yabucoa
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $489.4 million to a subsidiary of Pattern Energy for three stand-alone BESS in the municipalities of Arecibo (50 MW/200 MWh), and Santa Isabel (50 MW /200 MWh and 80 MW/320 MW), and a 70 MW solar farm with an integrated BESS in the municipality of Arecibo.
If all are finalized, these projects would more than double LPO’s support for utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage in Puerto Rico.
LPO provides low-cost financing and a rigorous due diligence process, making it a valuable resource for Puerto Rico as it works to rebuild an affordable, reliable, and clean energy system. As a result of reliance on imported fuel, the persistent threat of tropical storms, and underinvested infrastructure, Puerto Ricans today face average energy costs that are twice the US average – all while consuming only one-quarter of the energy of the US per capita.
LPO’s initial loan to a power producer in Puerto Rico, Project Marahu, closed in October 2024, and when complete will add more than 200 MW of solar and up to 285 MW of stand-alone energy storage to Puerto Rico’s grid.
Through its September 2023 partial loan guarantee to Project Hestia, LPO also supports virtual power plant (VPP)-ready rooftop solar and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico. As a nationwide project, Hestia’s sponsor is committed to at least 20% of installations under Project Hestia going to homeowners in Puerto Rico.
As part of its procurement plan, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority seeks to install 1,500 MW of battery storage and requires a minimum capacity of storage to be co-located with each utility-scale solar project. Energy storage systems currently online in Puerto Rico are being dispatched every day.
When including Marahu, LPO’s closed and conditionally committed financing supports over 100% of the capacity Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority aimed to procure under its initial request for energy storage project proposals, the first of six.
Read more: Cleantech investments to top fossil fuels for the first time in 2025
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Chevy just introduced new deals on the Equinox and Blazer EV models to make them even more affordable. With 0% interest and a new trade-in bonus, Chevy is offering over $5,000 in savings.
Chevy adds new Equinox and Blazer EV deals in January
Although the Chevy Equinox EV is already “the most affordable” EV in its class with over 315 miles range, it’s getting even cheaper.
Earlier this week, Chevy launched new deals on the 2024 Equinox and Blazer EV models. According to a note sent to dealers, viewed by CarsDirect, the electric SUVs are now available with 0% APR financing for 60 months. You can also choose from 0.9% AP for 72 months and 2.9% APR for 84 months.
This marks the best financing offer on Chevy’s newest EVs to date. The previous best rates were 0.9% APR for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months, and 5.9% for the longer 84-month option.
On a 7-year $45,000 loan, online auto research firm CarsDirect estimates the new deals amount to around a $5,200 price cut. The lower APR rates are already offered on the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup.
In addition, Chevy is offering a trade-in bonus of up to $3,000 on the Silverado EV and $1,000 on the electric Equinox and Blazer models. If you choose to lease, the bonus is cut in half: $1,500 for the Silverado and $500 for the electric SUVs.
Chevy’s new EV deals started on January 14 and run through March 3, 2025. The deals come as rivals like Hyundai and Ford recently launched new EV promotions.
On Thursday, Hyundai launched a new promo on the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which includes monthly leases as low as $199 and a free ChargePoint home EV charger (or $400 charging credit). Meanwhile, Ford extended its “Power Promise” program earlier this month, which also includes a free home charger, among several other benefits.
The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV started at $41,900 with up to 315 miles range. Prices for the electric Chevy Blazer start at $43,690 with up to 279 miles range.
If you are ready to try out Chevy’s new electric SUVs for yourself, we’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to view offers on the Chevy Equinox, Silverado, and Blazer EV models near you.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss non-Tesla EVs getting Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales in the spotlight, Rivian getting some money from Biden, and more.
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