- Head of Kia International Design, Karim Habib, named ‘Designer Disruptor of the 12 months’ for groundbreaking ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy
- Kia EV9 awarded ‘Analysis and Growth Disruptor of the 12 months’ for modern functions of superior applied sciences
- Newsweek awards, now of their third yr, acknowledge these driving elementary, transformative change with measurable real-world outcomes
- Awards are newest in lengthy line of recognition for modern Hyundai Motor Group merchandise and personnel
Kia is celebrating victory in two key classes at this yr’s Newsweek World’s Biggest Auto Disruptors Awards, with the all-electric EV9 profitable ‘Analysis and Growth Disruptor of the 12 months’ and its Head of Kia International Design, Govt Vice President Karim Habib, named ‘Design Disruptor of the 12 months’.
These newest accolades observe on from earlier Hyundai Motor Group successes, together with 2022 wins within the ‘R&D Staff of the 12 months’ and ‘Powertrain of the 12 months’ classes, in addition to particular person honors for Govt Chair Euisun Chung – named ‘Visionary of the 12 months’ in 2022 – and Chief Artistic Officer Luc Donckerwolke – named ‘Designer of the 12 months’ in 2023.
Introduced throughout an occasion at Newsweek HQ in New York, the World’s Biggest Auto Disruptors Awards acknowledge these driving elementary, transformative change with measurable real-world outcomes.
A central determine in Kia’s success since his arrival in 2019, EVP Karim Habib is the driving power behind the model’s award-winning Opposites United design philosophy. Taking inspiration from the contrasts present in nature and humanity, Opposites United shapes the outside, inside, coloration, and supplies employed throughout all new Kia fashions, and is especially evident within the placing styling of the all-electric EV9.
Talking upon the announcement of his award, EVP Karim mentioned: “It makes me extraordinarily completely satisfied that Kia is seen as pushing the boundaries on the subject of design, and I imagine that it’s important for designers to constantly take inventive dangers.
“It is necessary that design stays genuine and true to our model values. At Kia, an modern and forward-thinking mindset is an intrinsic high quality, important for offering related and significant merchandise and experiences. We would like our model to offer environmentally accountable mobility for all; and we wish our model to be a logo of innovation and progressive options.”
Winner of Kia’s second award of the night, for ‘Analysis and Growth Disruptor of the 12 months’, the Kia EV9 options a number of modern R&D options together with 800V structure, Over The Air (OTA)[1] replace know-how, and a drag coefficient of simply 0.28 – regardless of its accessible 7.8 inches of floor clearance and seven-seat capability. With an inexpensive entry value and an EPA-estimated 304-mile vary on the Mild Lengthy Vary RWD[2], the Kia EV9 brings subsequent technology know-how, luxurious, and effectivity to extra patrons than ever earlier than.
Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of Kia R&D Division, mentioned: “Kia R&D is pushed by course of, however not restricted by it. At Kia, which means our engineers have the company and belief to speed up improvement, proceed to pioneer new know-how, and ship enhancements sooner than the trade common.
“The EV9 was designed to reshape expectations within the section, however affordability is a defining issue within the three-row mainstream section—particularly for rising households. We needed the EV9 to supply one of the best of all the pieces, with out passing on these prices to the buyer.”
A key automobile for the North American market, the EV9 lately adopted within the footsteps of the EV6 in being topped North American Utility Automobile of the 12 months™. The success of the mannequin has additionally prompted the growth of Kia’s West Level meeting plant in Georgia, which is anticipated to permit the three-row all-electric automobile to turn out to be the primary Kia EV to start US meeting later this yr.
Receiving the award on behalf of Kia, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon added: “The popularity of Newsweek’s editors is of specific significance to Kia, which strives to disrupt the established order by way of modern merchandise which enrich the lives of their customers.
“These twin awards display that the visionary management provided by our senior executives is having an actual and significant affect on the autos which we create, delivering on Kia’s aim to turn out to be the chief in sustainable mobility options.”
