Amid the buzz surrounding the unveiling of its second-generation Seltos SUV, Kia India has reaffirmed its dedication to expanding its hybrid lineup in the country. The automaker is actively exploring ways to localize key hybrid components to make these eco-friendly powertrains more accessible to Indian buyers, according to Atul Sood, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Kia India Pvt. Ltd.
“We are very firm on our hybrid plans. We expect clear timelines in a couple of months,” Sood stated on the sidelines of the Kia Seltos launch event in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 10. “The challenge is affordability, so we’re evaluating localization of key hybrid components.
”The comments come at a pivotal moment for Kia, as the Indian market grapples with rising demand for electrified vehicles amid stricter emission norms and growing environmental awareness. Hybrids, which combine internal combustion engines with electric motors, offer a bridge between traditional petrol/diesel options and full electrics, promising better fuel efficiency without the range anxiety associated with battery-only models. However, high import duties on imported hybrid parts have kept prices elevated, limiting their penetration in price-sensitive segments like compact SUVs.
The second-generation Kia Seltos, unveiled globally in India on December 10, serves as a prime canvas for Kia’s hybrid strategy. Bookings for the refreshed model opened on December 11 with a token amount of ₹25,000, and full specifications and pricing are slated for reveal on January 2, 2026, with deliveries commencing shortly thereafter.
Positioned as Kia’s best-selling SUV since its 2019 debut, the Seltos has been a cornerstone of the brand’s growth in India, consistently ranking among the top mid-size SUVs alongside rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. The new Seltos boasts significant upgrades, including a bolder “Opposites United” design philosophy with sharper lines, a muscular stance, and Kia’s signature Digital Tiger Face grille flanked by vertical LED daytime running lamps. It rides on a new global platform with larger dimensions—expected to measure around 4,365mm in length, up from the previous model’s 4,315mm—offering more interior space and a premium cabin featuring a triple-screen setup for infotainment, instrumentation, and climate control.
Powertrain options will initially carry over the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel engines, paired with manual and automatic transmissions Yet, the real game-changer could be the teased strong-hybrid variant, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of approximately 141 PS and 265 Nm—mirroring systems in models like the Kia Niro.
While this hybrid setup won’t arrive with the initial launch, Sood’s assurance signals its imminent integration, potentially by late 2026 or early 2027, aligning with Kia’s global electrification roadmap.
Kia’s focus on localizing hybrid components—such as batteries, electric motors, and inverters—aims to slash costs by up to 20-30%, experts estimate, by reducing reliance on costly imports and leveraging India’s burgeoning EV supply chain ecosystem. The company already assembles the Seltos at its Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh, achieving over 90% localization for conventional variants.
Extending this to hybrids could mirror successes seen in the Toyota Innova Hycross or Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming electrified offerings, where domestic production has kept prices competitive. “We see hybrids as a key growth driver in India, especially in urban markets where fuel costs and emissions are top concerns,” Sood added, emphasizing the need for “clear timelines” within the next two months. This could involve partnerships with local suppliers or investments in R&D, building on Kia’s existing 7-year warranty extensions for models like the Seltos and Sonet.
The executive’s remarks were shared during the event alongside Kia India’s Chief Sales Officer, Sunhack Park, underscoring the collaborative push toward sustainable mobility. Early customer bookings before December 31, 2025, will lock in current ex-showroom prices, adding urgency for enthusiasts eyeing the hybrid potential.
