Kia Sorento hybrids hit with supply delays

The new plug-in hybrid version of the Kia Sorento large SUV is the latest electrified vehicle to face supply issues in Australia resulting from the country’s lax carbon emissions laws.

Kia Australia’s product general manager Roland Rivero said demand is already outstripping supply for the electrified large SUV, which is already subject to waiting periods of at least six months.

The delays are also expected to hit the new hybrid (HEV) variant – now due in late November 2021.

10

“Demand in Europe, in particular, is quite high and because they’ve got CO2 regulations and obviously there are tax penalties in Europe for that, priority will go to them first and foremost,” Rivero told Wheels on the eve of the Sorento PHEV's Australian launch.

“If you’re hearing dealers telling you it’s a six-to-eight month wait, they’re not lying.

“We’ve got some challenges ahead, at least in the next two quarters.”

10

The supply issues also mean the Sorento PHEV and HEV will, for the foreseeable future, only be available in the range-topping GT-Line specification grade.

While this will have an impact on its affordability – the GT-Line PHEV retails for $81,990 – Rivero points out the range-topping spec is the most popular with private buyers.

“In a perfect world where we had more supply we might have looked at more variants just to give customers greater choice, but what’s interesting is 60 per cent of our mix at the moment is looking at GT-Line anyway.

“You can argue that the majority of customers, when they’re looking at a Sorento, are effectively looking at the top of the range – particularly in the private space.”

10

Priced from $79,330, the Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and transmission-mounted electric motor and is the first petrol Sorento available in Australia with all-wheel-drive.