√2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV demand coming from wealthy suburbs

The futuristic Kia EV9 electric SUV is driving the South Korean car brand into Australian driveways in the top end of town, pre-order data shows.

The 2024 Kia EV9 is expected to cost in excess of $100,000 when it goes on sale in Australia later this year.

And early data from pre-orders and expressions of interest lodged online show the futuristic vehicle is appealing to electric-car buyers in some of Australia’s wealthiest suburbs, rather than middle-income areas that are traditionally Kia heartland.

Kia Australia product planner Roland Rivero told a media briefing in Sydney this week: “The desire in our market for a big (electric) SUV is extremely strong.

“The kind of interest were getting, from the types of suburbs and postcodes, are very new to Kia.

MORE: 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV unveiled, due in Australia this year

Kia Australia marketing boss Dean Norbiato told media: “They are non-traditional Kia suburbs. In terms of (expressions of interest in the new Kia EV9), the Hills District is number one in NSW, followed by the Northern Beaches and then the eastern suburbs.

“The EV6 did a phenomenal job for us … as a halo vehicle … but (EV9) is going to be even bigger, no question.”

Kia Australia says it has received more than 5000 expressions of interest in the new Kia EV9 – due between October and December 2023, pending any delays –and dealers are holding more than 50 customer deposits even before the price is known or anyone has taken a test drive.

“We think demand will exceed supply,” said Kia Australia sales executive, Dennis Piccoli.

Despite the unprecedented demand, the boss of Kia Australia, Damien Meredith, said the company has no plans to introduce an online ordering portal and will leave customer allocation to dealers.

“We’re committed to our dealer network and we believe that’s the most efficient way to get cars to customers,” said Mr Meredith.

“We’ll go into the pre-order stage soon. Our challenge is trying to get as many cars as we possibly can given the demand.”

Kia Australia product planner Roland Rivero said the company is working overtime to secure as much stock as possible from the factory.

“Our job at Kia Australia is to fight hard and negotiate (with the factory) to secure as much allocation as possible for our customers, but it’s still work in progress.”

The post 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV demand coming from wealthy suburbs appeared first on Drive.