Kia is named ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at the 2022 TopGear.com Awards, finishing 2022 on a great scale. This comes as the second consecutive year that Kia took home a win at the TopGear.com awards; in 2021, the EV6 got the ‘Crossover of the Year’ category, according to Zawya.
Notably, Kia launched several game-changing models in Europe in 2022, the fifth-gen Sportage and all-new Niro, consistently two of the automaker’s best-sellers in Europe.
The two models offered a major update over their predecessors in some areas, which included sustainability credentials, technological advancements, and interior and exterior design.
Kia’s recent form is remarkable. Despite unprecedented headwinds, the upward trajectory shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, it’s getting braver. The latest Sportage is a superior family crossover in comparison to its closest competitors, the new Niro looks striking, and offers hybrid or electric versions and Kia seems to be landing on its feet when it comes to the transition to fully electric. The EV6 GT offers a 577bhp version with mind-blowing drift mode.
Jack Rix, Editor of BBC Top Gear Magazine
Furthermore, President of Kia Europe Jason Jeong says this has been a great year for the company regarding brand awareness, new products, and sales. Their year-to-date market share across Europe held a strong 5.1% over the last two months, and their success lies in their incredible electrified line-up.
Kia to expand electrified offerings in 2023
As the company expands its offerings through 2023 onwards, it hopes to inspire more consumers to make the shift and support a sustainable future for everyone.
2022 has been a milestone year in Kia’s history where the brand became synonymous with electrification and set the new gold standard for the future of mobility.
David Hilbert, Marketing Director at Kia Europe
Hilbert thanked TopGear.com for naming the company ‘Manufacturer of the Year’. He acknowledged it as a welcome recognition of the automaker’s achievements and is looking forward to a successful 2023.
He added that the introduction of the EV6 GT was a defining moment for the brand as it extended its electrification leadership to the high-performance arena.
Kia’s Plan S strategy
In addition, the company’s ‘Plan S’ strategy also outlines its sustainability targets, which include a line-up of 14 pure-electric models by 2027. The next model to be launched will be the highly anticipated EV9, which will be released to the European market next year.
Kia EV9
The upcoming EV9 will represent the height of what’s possible with an electric SUV. Developed on the automaker’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the large electric SUV will take on a new era of Kia’s sophisticated, high-tech, sustainable mobility.
