Photo/Huang Xinxu(NBD)

March 23 (NBD) -- South Korean automaker Kia Motors is planning to offer six electric models by 2027 in China as it aims to renew its success in the world's largest vehicle market.

Kia on Monday released the plan in Shanghai where it unveiled the EV5 SUV concept, the EV 9 and the EV6 GT.

Its CEO Song Ho-sung said the company's performance in China is crucial to its global success.

According to Kia, the EV5, in particular, will arrive as its first global model to be built in China and will debut in the country this coming November. It will be followed by the aforementioned EV9 SUV in 2024, an entry-level BEV SUV in 2025, and a premium electric sedan based on Kia's next-generation EV platform in 2026. Lastly, Kia shared it is also developed a new midsize electric SUV scheduled to launch in 2027.

It is noticed that EV6 GT, which was launched in the overseas market last year, will be introduced into the Chinese market as an import in August, which is likely to be around half the price in the markets beyond China (380000 yuan in South Korea and 420000 yuan in the US).

Yang Hongmei, COO of Kia China, expressed the company's determination to restructure the brand in an interview with NBD on the evening of March 20. Yang admitted that Kia has been slow in introducing its EV products into the Chinese market and is facing fierce competition. To survive, the brand must take the challenge and launch a comprehensive electric vehicle strategy, encompassing product, channel, service, marketing and other aspects.

According to Yang, with preferential policies and strong market needs, the Chinese electric vehicle market still has great potential.