Kia Plugs In Down Under: 55 EVs Hit Australian Open, Nadal Gets an EV9 Art Car!

TL;DR: Kia's showing off its electric muscle at the Australian Open, rolling out a fleet of 55 EVs for player transport, including EV9s and EV5s. Even Rafael Nadal is getting in on the action with a special EV9 Art Car! Looks like the Land Down Under is going electric, one tennis star at a time.

Meta: Kia is providing 55 electric vehicles for player transport at the Australian Open, showcasing its EV lineup and commitment.

Game, Set, Match... Electric!

Alright, alright, settle down now! The Australian Open is in full swing Down Under, and guess who's serving up some serious electric vibes? Kia! For the 25th year in a row, they're sponsoring the tournament, and this year's theme is "Move Different." Now, that might not be the catchiest slogan, but their actions are speaking louder than words. They're putting 55 electric vehicles on the ground to shuttle those sweaty tennis players around. We're talking 30 Kia EV9 SUVs and 25 Kia EV5 crossovers! That's a whole lot of quiet, emission-free transport, baby!

Now, I gotta say, they're also using 75 hybrids, so we ain't fully electric just yet. But hey, 40% EVs in the fleet? That's the highest proportion ever for Kia at this event. It's like they're saying, "We're getting there, one serve at a time!" EVs are really picking up steam in Australia, too, probably because they're seeing those climate disasters firsthand. In December, 17% of new vehicle sales were plug-ins, with 10% being pure BEVs. The Aussies are clearly ready to plug in and move different!

Nadal's Art Car and the PV5 Cargo Debut

And get this: Kia's global brand ambassador, none other than the legendary Rafael Nadal, is getting a special EV9 Art Car on January 31st! An Art Car! That's like giving Mona Lisa a new electric frame. How cool is that? The EV4 is also the hero model at the event this year, which means Kia is really trying to push its latest electric offerings into the spotlight. They've got showcase booths with interactive tech displays and sustainability insights for all the fans at Melbourne Park. It's like an EV carnival!

But wait, there's more! Kia is also showcasing the PV5 Cargo, their first all-electric Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV). This bad boy was named the 2026 International Van of the Year (IVOTY) – that's a huge deal for light commercial vehicles! So, it's not just about flashy passenger cars; Kia's thinking about the whole ecosystem, from tennis stars to delivery fleets. They're making a big statement, and I gotta tell ya, when people experience the smooth, silent ride of an EV for the first time, they're often blown away. This campaign is definitely gonna rack up some new EV sales down under!

What’s Next

Kia's prominent display of EVs at a major global event like the Australian Open is a smart move to accelerate brand visibility and consumer adoption. Expect this increased exposure, combined with Australia's growing interest in EVs, to translate into higher sales for Kia's electric lineup. The PV5 Cargo's debut also signals Kia's strategic expansion into commercial EVs, a segment ripe for electrification. Keep an eye on Kia; they're playing to win in the electric game.

Alright, that's the score. Stay charged, and enjoy the match!