Kia has increased the prices of its hybrid vehicles in Pakistan by up to Rs1.2 million following a significant increase in the sales tax applicable to hybrid cars.
The revised prices cover several variants of the Kia Sportage L and Sorento, with the increases largely reflecting the higher tax burden.
The Kia Sportage L 1.6T FWD HEV has become Rs900,000 more expensive, with its price rising from Rs11.299 million to Rs12.199 million. Meanwhile, the price of the Sportage L 1.6T AWD HEV has increased by Rs1.059 million to Rs13.299 million, from Rs12.240 million.
Among the Sorento variants, the 1.6T FWD HEV now costs Rs16.299 million, up Rs1 million from Rs15.299 million. The Sorento 1.6T AWD HEV has recorded the biggest increase among variants with an earlier listed price, rising by Rs1.2 million from Rs16.699 million to Rs17.899 million.
Kia has also listed the price of the Sorento 1.6T AWD PHEV at Rs18.999 million, although no previous price was provided for comparison.
The price revisions follow an increase in the sales tax on hybrid vehicles to 25%, compared with the previous rates of 8.5% and 12.75%. Kia is among several automakers to revise hybrid vehicle prices following the tax changes.
Other manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda, Chery, Suzuki and Hyundai, have also increased prices of selected hybrid models.
The latest revisions indicate that the additional tax burden is being reflected in the retail prices of hybrid vehicles, making them more expensive for consumers in Pakistan.
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