VOIWORLD/Business Desk
Indians are not kind to American auto majors. General Motors and Ford shutting shop in India left many in disbelief. However, there is another entrant into the Indian market now, the electric car maker and one of the most valuable auto firms globally, Tesla. However, Indians have favoured the East more than the West when it comes to the auto market and the recent example is South Korea’s KIA that knew since the beginning what is liked by Indian consumers.
The day Tesla entered into Indian market amidst much fanfare, Kia also rolled out India’s first electric MPV, the Carens Clavis EV. Indian market is family oriented and less focussed on individuals. Indians pay more importance to a “value for money” automobiles and not just a high-performance vehicle. Precisely there are some reasons why Japanese and South Korean automakers have done well for themselves in the Indian market.
Also the going is getting tough for Tesla in global markets where China’s BYD has officially surpassed Tesla in global electric vehicle deliveries, signaling a major shift in the EV industry. Once the undisputed leader, Tesla is now seeing a drop in sales, while BYD is growing fast and expanding its global presence. This marks a turning point in the race for EV dominance, with BYD now emerging as the new leader in electric mobility.
Also, Tesla popular auto drive features will not be available in India.
OTHER POPULAR EVs IN INDIA
KIA CARENS CLAVIS EV
The starting price is Rs 17.99 lakh, and it offers seating for 7 people, making it ideal for families. It can go up to 490 km on a full charge, and supports fast charging. This marks a big step for Kia in India’s electric vehicle space, as this is made in India.
Let’s hear what top management including MD and CEO of KIA and its head of marketing and PR had to say at the launch of Carens Clavis EV
Kia India | The Carens Clavis EV | Book Now.
KIA Carens Clavis EV
Key Highlights:
Four variants: Two battery options – 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh.
Prices range from Rs 17.99 lakh to Rs 24.49 lakh.
Driving range:
42 kWh: 404 km
51.4 kWh: 490 km
Fast charging: 10% to 80% charge in 39 minutes using a 100 kW DC charger.
Motor options: 99 kW and 126 kW, both offering 255 Nm torque.
0–100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, even when fully loaded.
Safety & Features:
Level 2 ADAS: Includes features like emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot detection.
6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill assist, and more.
IP67 battery protection and passed water test for monsoon durability.
i-Pedal mode: Allows single-pedal driving using regenerative braking.
Other Info:
The design is similar to the petrol version launched earlier.
It’s Kia’s first electric vehicle made in India.
Will face competition from JSW MG Motor’s M9 electric MPV, launching soon.
