Ethos and Strategy

Innovation comes naturally
Shaping the future by design
Innovation is the driving force behind Kia. It's helped to cultivate a brand ethos that's already put us at the very forefront of automotive ingenuity. This is reflected in our comprehensive ‘Plan S’ — our commitment to becoming the world's front-runner in eco-friendly transportation.
By continually harnessing advancements in sustainable manufacturing and EV technology, we’re creating innovative journeys that inspire and shaping the future of driving itself.
A multi-faceted strategy
Sustainability matters
- Transformative batteries
- Battery recycling loop and reuse
- Eco-friendly supply chains
- A foundational EV platform
-
Transformative batteries
Kia is actively working on pilot projects to reuse EV batteries, transforming them into energy storage systems. This initiative not only addresses the issue of battery disposal but also contributes to renewable energy solutions.
-
Battery recycling loop and reuse
Some Kia EV batteries help contribute to environmental stewardship by reclaiming valuable materials and reducing waste, thereby diminishing the ecological footprint associated with battery production.
-
Eco-friendly supply chains
We're committed to Green Supply Chain Initiatives that positively integrate sustainable practices into global supply chains. These initiatives lead to decreased emissions and resource conservation.
-
A foundational EV platform
Our groundbreaking Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) is engineered for all-round cleaner mobility. Ultra-high-strength steel frames and a low centre of gravity form the foundation of an interior space that is simply inspiring.
Taking a greener intiative

Kia x The Ocean Cleanup
Kia's seven-year global partnership with The Ocean Cleanup marks a pivotal step in sustainable innovation, marrying technology and environmental stewardship to extract plastic from oceans and rivers. This collaboration also cleverly integrates recycled ocean plastic into our vehicle production

Kia x National Geographic
Our partnership with National Geographic, featuring explorer Arthur Huang, emphasises nature-inspired technological innovation for sustainable mobility. This collaboration, integral to Kia's sustainability strategy, focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions and aligns with our goal of carbon neutrality, enhancing our vision as a Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider.

Blue Carbon Program:
Kia's Blue Carbon Program is an innovative initiative aimed at restoring marine ecosystems, particularly focusing on protecting and restoring tidal mudflats in Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These mudflats play a crucial role in carbon offsetting and through such efforts, we're taking proactive steps towards preserving the environment and reducing our own carbon footprint.
“At Kia we want to become a leader in sustainable mobility with the roadmap to 2030.
We are going to achieve this by establishing a full EV line-up of 11 models to its whole line-up along the way.“
Song Ho-Sung
President & CEO - Kia Corporation
Material change
-
01PCM Plastic
-
02Bio PU
-
03Recycled PET Fabric
-
04Bio Paint:
-
05BTX-Free Paint
-
06Recycled PET Felt:
Frontier technology

Driving forward specialised R&D
We've established a number of independent R&D organisations and Design Centres focusing on everything from commercial vehicles to robotics, batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. This strategic structure fosters specialised innovation, ensuring Kia stays at the forefront of diverse automotive technologies, directly benefiting our customers with advanced, cutting-edge vehicle features.

Top down, integrated excellence
Kia's Total Vehicle Development (TVD) Division oversees the overall process of new vehicle development, including EVs. By elevating product integration development to the division level, we able to provably strengthen core capabilities in vehicle development. That means ensuring advanced vehicle designs tailored to our customers needs.

Enhanced EV capabilities
We're always working on new ways to amplify EV development and production capabilities. This involves setting up dedicated research units under the TVD Division, focusing on electric driving range and EV safety. These initiatives place Kia at the forefront of electrification technology, promising users advanced EVs with superior safety features and extended driving ranges.

Synergy through software
Kia’s Vehicle SW Tech Unit integrates various software technologies to accelerate Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) development. Here our focus is on electronics, infotainment, autonomous driving, and vehicle control, ensuring that our vehicles are equipped with the latest in automotive software innovations for Kia drivers.
Opposites United
Our innovation in design is singularly defined by this bold statement: Opposites United. It encapsulates an innovative approach that utilises the concepts of opposition, disruption, and polar contrast to evolve the identity of Kia and create characterful designs. This approach benefits users by offering unique, forward-thinking vehicle designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also embody the dynamic and evolving nature of modern mobility.
Our design principles
-
01Bold for Nature
-
02Power to Progress
-
03Tension for Serenity
-
04Joy for Reason
-
05Technology for Life
Taking a lead in design

Karim Habib
Head of Kia Global Design Centre
Karim Habib, acclaimed for crafting Kia's 'Opposites United' design philosophy, draws inspiration from nature and humanity's contrasts. His vision has shaped the EV6 and EV9 and enhanced Kia's overall brand aesthestic.
"Ideas are born from inspiration. They start with the brand we want to be, and they come from what our customers needs. As we are recreating the brand and redefining our own reason to be, the ideas of our designers, and the purpose of the brand, are more connected than ever."