Kia Motors' brand image to take a hit in China due to recall of electric vehicles

Kia Motors will recall 309 of its KX3 electric vehicles (EV) in China due to possible malfunctioning of the integrated electronic brakes (IEB) systems, which makes its brake pedal heavy when the warning lamp becomes illuminated.

The KX3 is Kia's first EV in the Chinese market, released in 2018.

Hyundai Motor also recalled 2,591 units, involving the Encino EV and the Lafesta EV, in China on Dec. 31.

The recalls would hurt the brand image of Kia Motors and its sister company Hyundai Motor Co. in China, where they were in late launching EVs and sales are already sluggish.

Hyundai Motor earlier recalled the Kona EV in South Korea, the US, and Australia due to the same problem.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor will also recall 471,000 Tucson units sold in the US due to its defects in the anti-lock braking system that could cause a fire.