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Kia e-Niro sells out in the UK – report

The all-electric Korean crossover has sold its entire allocation for the year in Britain after just a month on sale, according to a new report. Like the Hyundai Kona Electric, demand is outstripping supply.


Kia has completely depleted its 2019 allocation of the new e-Niro in the UK, with prospective buyers now forced to wait until 2020 for the all-electric SUV.

According to a new report by Auto Express the Korean manufacturer is struggling to satisfy demand for the zero-emissions crossover, similar to parent Hyundai's experience with the related Kona Electric.

The report claims the Korean manufacturer's battery suppliers, which include Samsung and LG, have doubled their production outputs and still haven't been able to meet the vehicle's demand.

Deliveries in the UK were initially slated to commence in April, though a production bottleneck means those who managed to snag one of the first 900 units allocated to the region may have to wait until the end of this year for their vehicle.

Speaking with the British publication, Kia's head of fleet and marketing, John Hargreaves, said the battery supply chain issue will likely remain "a restraining factor for at least another 12 to 18 months".

The manufacturer 'remains optimistic' that in 2020 the production bottleneck will be fixed and manufacturing will be stabilised.


Australia

Speaking with CarAdvice, Kia Australia's communications boss, Kevin Hepworth, said the local arm is still "in discussions" with head office regarding the e-Niro, and expects to launch the EV Down Under by year's end.

Last October the Australian division confirmed its plans to launch its first electric model Down Under, once its dealer network was up to speed on how to maintain them.

"Not every dealer will sell them but every dealer with have to service them – it’s pointless if you can’t take your car to your preferred dealer," Hepworth said in October.

The e-Niro is one of two EV models Kia Australia wants to bring here by 2021, with the other expected to be the new-generation Soul EV – though there's no official word on the latter.

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