Kia Confirms EV9 Concept, Tesla Reports Huge Sales Jump in Q1

EV9 concept full size SUV confirmed for Europe, and Tesla’s sales numbers shock everyone.

Kia’s EV6 has already received high acclaim, so the South Korean company is wasting no time getting their next model in to the mainstream. Kia this week announced as production version of the EV9 will be produced for 2023. But so far, that announcement has only been slated for Europe.

The full-size SUV arrives at the same time that other automakers are announcing similar vehicles. But where GM is announcing a Silverado, and Ford has the F-150 Lightning, Kia’s EV9 will be less about utility and more about creating an upscale people-mover. It is one of the first three-row all-electric vehicles that will be available, and will feature luxury over utility. Yet it still can do both.

For the explorers among us, Kia’s “Active,” “Pause,” and “Enjoy” modes will turn the SUV from a three row hauler into a lounge with a table and work space for Pause mode. Select “Enjoy” and the car’s seats perform an about-face and make for a front-row seat to nature with a view from the rear hatch.

Given the provenance of three-row SUV’s in the ‘States, we assume an announcement for our shores will be coming soon.

Tesla’s sales numbers nearly double in Q1 versus same time last year.

A CNBC report released this week shows that Tesla sales numbers have increased a significant margin for Q1 2022 compared to the same time last year. Tesla has always been a bit unconventional, and releases delivery numbers. In Q1 of 2021, Tesla delivered 184,800 cars, and in the same period this year, delivered 310,048.

These numbers are an anomaly in the industry as other automakers have been plagued by the chip shortage and other supply chain issues. Tesla isn’t immune to those same shortage, and have cited the shortages as to why they delivered more cars than they produced.

That hasn’t stopped Tesla from expanding. CNBC further reports a new factory in Brandenburg, Germany for Tesla. Meanwhile, CEO Elon Musk is still moving the official HQ from Fremont, California to Austin, Texas.

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Photos courtesy of Kia, CNBC