기아 빠진 버스 시장…현대차 ‘수소’·KGM ‘전기’ 재편

[Anchor] Kia is pushing to halt bus production for the first time in 55 years. While the offensive of low-cost Chinese electric buses is cited as the reason, the industry places weight on the interpretation that this is a step toward Hyundai Motor Group consolidating its bus business around Hyundai Motor. Attention is now focused on how the market will be restructured in the wake of Kia's departure. Reporter Lee Hye-ran reports. [Reporter] Kia has notified the labor union of its plan to discontinue production of the large bus, the "Granbird," in one to two years. The Granbird is the only bus model produced by Kia, and if production stops, the 55-year bus business, which has continued since the days of its predecessor, Asia Motors, will effectively come to an end. Annual sales of the diesel-engine Granbird have hovered around 1,000 units for several years. With emission regulations tightening and the transition to electrification requiring additional investment, the justification for continuing the business is increasingly diminishing. This situation is compounded by the proliferation of low-cost Chinese electric buses. Chinese manufacturers, such as BYD, are rapidly expanding their domestic market share, with some models available that are tens of millions of won cheaper than domestic ones. Industry observers believe this trend has actually served as an opportunity for the group to reorganize and consolidate its bus business around Hyundai Motor. With Kia withdrawing, bus production within the group is effectively being unified under Hyundai Motor. Hyundai Motor already possesses a diverse bus lineup, ranging from the Universe, ElecCity, and County to electric and hydrogen buses. Cumulative sales of hydrogen electric buses surpassed 3,000 units this year. With a strategy to establish hydrogen buses as a key differentiator for future commercial vehicles rather than competing head-to-head with Chinese competitors on price, the structure is such that Hyundai Motor is filling the void left by Kia. While Kia is stepping back from the bus business, KGM is focusing on expanding its commercial vehicle operations. KG Group Chairman Kwak Jae-sun is developing KGM Commercial, which was acquired in 2023, into a company centered on electric buses. KGM Commercial returned to profitability last year, recording sales of 107.7 billion won and an operating profit of 250 million won. It is currently mass-producing 9m and 11m electric buses and recently added the 7m small electric bus, the Istana, to its lineup. Development of a 12m large electric bus is also underway, with mass production targeted for 2028. While Kia is pushing to withdraw from the bus business, Hyundai Motor is leading the way with hydrogen buses and KGM Commercial with electric buses, signaling the full-scale restructuring of the domestic commercial bus market. This is Lee Hye-ran from Seoul Economic TV. /[email protected] [Video Reporting: Choi Jun-hyung / Video Editing: Yoo Yeon-seo]