Kia is reveling in double triumph at this year’s Newsweek World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards, with the all-electric EV9 securing the title of ‘Research and Development Disruptor of the Year’ and Kia’s Head of Global Design, EVP Karim Habib, recognized as ‘Design Disruptor of the Year’.
These prestigious wins add to Hyundai Motor Group’s track record of success, with previous accolades including victories in the ‘R&D Team of the Year’ and ‘Powertrain of the Year’ categories in 2022, along with individual honors for Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke.
Presented at Newsweek HQ in New York, the awards celebrate entities driving transformative change with tangible real-world outcomes.
EVP Karim Habib, instrumental in Kia’s design successes since 2019, spearheads the brand’s acclaimed Opposites United design philosophy. Inspired by nature and human contrasts, this philosophy permeates the aesthetics of all new Kia models, notably showcased in the striking design of the EV9.
Expressing his delight at the award, EVP Karim emphasized the importance of pushing design boundaries while remaining authentic to brand values. He underlined Kia’s commitment to innovation and forward-thinking, striving to offer environmentally responsible mobility and progressive solutions.
The EV9, recipient of Kia’s second award for ‘Research and Development Disruptor of the Year’, boasts groundbreaking features such as 800V architecture, Over The Air (OTA) update technology, and a remarkable drag coefficient of just 0.28. Despite its seven-seat capacity and 7.8 inches of ground clearance, the EV9 offers an EPA-estimated 304-mile range on the Light Long Range RWD, making next-generation technology and luxury accessible to a wider audience.
Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of Kia R&D Division, highlighted Kia’s commitment to innovation and affordability, ensuring the EV9 delivers unparalleled value to consumers.
Primed for success in the North American market, the EV9 follows the EV6 in earning the title of North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™. The model’s triumph has spurred the expansion of Kia’s assembly plant in Georgia, paving the way for the EV9 to become the first Kia EV to commence US assembly later this year.
Accepting the awards on behalf of Kia, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon emphasized the brand’s dedication to disruptive innovation, enriched by visionary leadership, and a commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.
Kia’s dual triumphs underscore its relentless pursuit of excellence, positioning the brand as a leader in the automotive industry’s evolution towards a sustainable and innovative future
