![Swivel seats!? Kia reveals new images of EV9 SUV inside and out ahead of global debut [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Kia-EV9-Rear-Hero.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Swivel seats!? Kia reveals new images of EV9 SUV inside and out ahead of global debut [Video]
Weeks after teasing the public with a peek at its shadowy exterior, Kia has finally shared its first official images of its upcoming EV9 SUV both inside and out. Described with an “opposites united” design philosophy, this all-electric SUV looks like it will offer plenty of space inside and atop Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform and has unique six- and seven-seat options you’ve gotta see.
The Kia EV9 will debut as the second all-electric model donning the Korean automaker’s new “EV” series nomenclature and its first three-row, all-electric SUV. Like the EV6 crossover that proceeded it, the EV9 its built upon Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform, offering a “technology for life” design philosophy throughout that, “promotes intuitive interactions between humans and machines.”
Last summer, we got our very first look at the EV9 prototype, although it was a camouflaged version. In late January, we reported what we believed to be the expected specs of the Kia EV9, which could arrive in five different trim options. We will learn if that’s true later this month, but more on that below.
In February, we shared what appeared to be the first public sighting of the EV9, which very closely resembled the original concept that debuted back in November of 2021. However, Kia would not confirm if the video was legitimate. Instead, it released some teaser footage of its own featuring a dark silhouetted exterior, promising more visuals to come.
Today is that day and Kia has shared the following exterior and interior images you’ll see below, alongside an official unveiling video. Have a look.
Our first official look at the Kia EV9
As you can see from the images above, the Kia EV9 does in fact closely resemble the original concept EV introduced two years ago. The automaker states that a “bold for nature” design philosophy went into the exterior of the SUV, which combines elements from both the natural and material worlds.
The front features a “digital pattern lighting grill” that helps make up the Kia EV9’s signature “digital tiger face.” Do you see it? Kia points out that two clusters of small cube lamps (notice it’s not calling them “parametric pixels” like Hyundai does) are placed within the body adjacent to each of the headlamps. LED daytime running lights offer an animated lighting pattern than you can see in the video below.
Other exterior features include polygonal design language, particularly noticeable on the SUV’s side profile as well as triangular structures in the fender. The rear features slim lights that mirror its front, offering what Kia describes as a, “strong and confident stance.” Onto the interior.
While we’ve previously been able to surmise what the exterior of the Kia EV9 will generally look like, this is our first real look at its cabin, and it’s pretty. Given the super flat E-GMP platform to build upon, Kia’s designers prioritized space, comfort, and technology throughout the interior of the three-row SUV. Per the release:
Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats. Offered in both six and seven-seat formats, Kia captured feedback from families to evaluate seating configurations and features to ensure the EV9 delivers equality of space, comfort and experience for all occupants without placing all of its focus on the driver.
As you’ve probably already noticed in the images above, the Kia EV9 is unique in that its second row seats can swivel 180-degrees to face the passengers seated in the third row… or if those passengers want to wave at the cars behind them like some of us did in station wagons as children.
The panoramic dash features two 12.3-inch touchscreen to control vehicle functions while limiting physical buttons, simultaneously providing more opportunities for upgrades over-the-air in the future. Charging points are available throughout the cabin, including a wireless pad in the front along with ports in the third-row.
Kia states the EV9 will make its official global debut later this month, when it will share more information about the electric SUVs performance, trim levels, etc. We will be sure to keep you in the loop as those pertinent details come in, but in the meantime, check out the full EV9 unveiling video below:
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Environment
Solar and wind industry faces up to $7 billion tax hike under Trump’s big bill, trade group says
Is Nissan raising the red flag? Nissan is cutting about 15% of its workforce and is now asking suppliers for more time to make payments.
Nissan starts job cuts, asks supplier to delay payments
As part of its recovery plan, Nissan announced in May that it plans to cut 20,000 jobs, or around 15% of its global workforce. It’s also closing several factories to free up cash and reduce costs.
Nissan said it will begin talks with employees at its Sunderland plant in the UK this week about voluntary retirement opportunities. The company is aiming to lay off around 250 workers.
The Sunderland plant is the largest employer in the city with around 6,000 workers and is critical piece to Nissan’s comeback. Nissan will build its next-gen electric vehicles at the facility, including the new LEAF, Juke, and Qashqai.
According to several emails and company documents (via Reuters), Nissan is also working with its suppliers to for more time to make payments.
“They could choose to be paid immediately or opt for a later payment,” Nissan said. The company explained in a statement to Reuters that it had incentivized some of its suppliers in Europe and the UK to accept more flexible payment terms, at no extra cost.
The emails show that the move would free up cash for the first quarter (April to June), similar to its request before the end of the financial year.
One employee said in an email to co-workers that Nissan was asking suppliers “again” to delay payments. The emails, viewed by Reuters, were exchanged between Nissan workers in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Nissan is taking immediate action as part of its recovery plan, aiming to turn things around, the company said in a statement.
“While we are taking these actions, we aim for sufficient liquidity to weather the costs of the turnaround actions and redeem bond maturities,” the company said.
Nissan didn’t comment on the internal discussions, but the emails did reveal it gave suppliers two options. They could either delay payments at a higher interest rate, or HSBC would make the payment, and Nissan would repay the bank with interest.
The company had 2.2 trillion yen ($15.2 billion) in cash and equivalents at the end of March, but it has around 700 billion yen ($4.9 billion) in debt that’s due later this year.
As part of Re:Nissan, the Japanese automaker’s recovery plan, Nissan looks to cut costs by 250 billion yen. By fiscal year 2026, it plans to return to profitability.
Electrek’s Take
With an aging vehicle lineup and a wave of new low-cost rivals from China, like BYD, Nissan is quickly falling behind.
Nissan is launching several new electric and hybrid vehicles over the next few years, including the next-gen LEAF, which is expected to help boost sales.
In China, the world’s largest EV market, Nissan’s first dedicated electric sedan, the N7, is off to a hot start with over 20,000 orders in 50 days.
The N7 will play a role in Nissan’s recovery efforts as it plans to export it to overseas markets. It will be one of nine new energy vehicles, including EVs and PHEVs, that Nissan plans to launch in China.
Can Nissan turn things around? Or will it continue falling behind the pack? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Environment
Elon Musk said to bet on Tesla delivering Robotaxi in June, yet those who did just lost big
Elon Musk said just a few weeks ago that betting on Tesla delivering its promised Robotaxi in June is a “money-making opportunity,” and yet, those who listened to him just lost big.
A fan of Musk lost $50,000 betting on Tesla Robotaxi.
With the rise in prediction markets, you can bet on virtually everything these days.
Sites like Polymarket have about a dozen prediction markets related to Tesla, where anyone can bet on events such as Tesla delivering its robotaxi service.
There have been a couple of specific markets about that, and Musk directly commented on one titled “Will Tesla launch a driverless Robotaxi service before July?:
Less than two weeks ago, the market gave Tesla only a 14% chance of launching the service, and Musk called it a “money-making opportunity.”
At the time, less than $500,000 was traded on this market, but Musk made it way more popular.
Now, over $7 million has been traded on this market, and while Tesla claims to have launched its Robotaxi service on June 22nd, the market currently gives Tesla less than 1% chance today, with less than a day left in June.
Each prediction market has clear “resolution” rules and Musk evidently didn’t read them before suggesting there was money to be made betting “yes”:
This market will resolve to “Yes” if Tesla publicly launches a fully driverless taxi service by June 30, 11:59 PM ET. Otherwise, it will resolve to “No.”
Any service that allows a member of the general public to summon and ride in a Tesla vehicle operating without any human—onboard or remote—actively controlling the vehicle will count. A human may be present in the vehicle or monitoring remotely for emergency intervention, but they must not be physically positioned to take control (for example, no safety driver in the driver’s seat) and must not actively steer, brake, accelerate, or otherwise drive the car under normal operation.
A program that is restricted to Tesla employees, invite-only testers, closed-beta participants, factory self-delivery features, or the mere release of Full Self-Driving software for private owner-drivers will not qualify. Regulatory permits or approvals, press demonstrations, and prototype unveilings without live public ridership likewise will not count toward resolution.
This market’s resolution source will be a consensus of credible reporting.
There are a few things in the resolution that disqualify what Tesla launched on June 22nd. First off, there’s a human inside the vehicle ready to take control with their finger on a kill switch. We have already seen interventions from the in-car Tesla supervisor, who are still very much necessary.
Secondly, the resolution requires a launch that is not restricted to an invite-only basis, which is currently the case.
The level of remote operations could also prove challenging to confirm, and it is part of the resolution.
Electrek found someone who lost $50,000 following Musk’s “money-making opportunity”:
Someone else has lost $28,000 and is now betting another $27,000 that Tesla will achieve this by the end of July.
Currently, Polymarket‘s odds only put a 21% chance of Tesla delivering on the service based on the previously mentioned resolution before August:
There’s another market predicting if “Tesla launches unsupervised full self-driving (FSD) by the end of 2025” that has arguably an even more restrictive resolution, and it currently gives it a 59% chance of happening:
With Polymarket, users are not really “betting” on an outcome, but they are trying to beat the current odds by buying shares in “yes” or “no”, which they can sell to other users before the end of the timeline.
Electrek’s Take
It’s quite amusing that Musk was so confident people would believe in his Robotaxi that he didn’t bother to investigate what other people think an actual robotaxi service would entail, like in the Polymarket resolution.
Historically speaking, you are way better off betting against whatever timeline Musk claims about self-driving. He has been consistently wrong about it for a decade now.
Polymarket even has a market about Tesla launching unsupervised self-driving in California this year. I threw some money in that one because California has much stricter regulations when it comes to self-driving, and it requires a lot of testing before being deployed, as described in the resolution.
I doubt Tesla can go through that this year, but it’s not impossible.
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