Kia Norway’s EV3 Ad Backlash

Kia has denied any direct responsibility for a social media post by Kia Norway that featured a promotional image of the EV3 electric SUV with a bumper sticker mocking Elon Musk.

Last month, Kia Norway shared an image of an EV3 with a sticker below its left taillight that read, “I bought this after Elon went crazy.”

The phrase references a growing trend among some Tesla owners who regret their purchase due to Musk’s deep involvement in politics, particularly his ties to Donald Trump. However, the post sparked backlash from Tesla supporters and Musk fans.

After the post gained attention, Kia quickly distanced itself from it. In a statement following the ad’s removal, the company clarified that Kia Corporation was aware of the social media post by Kia Norway, which had since been removed.

The statement emphasized that the post was an independent local initiative and did not reflect the position of Kia Europe or Kia Corporation.

The company also stressed that Kia Norway operates as an independent legal entity with no investment stake from either Kia Europe or Kia Corporation.

Kia, which is affiliated with Hyundai Motor, operates in Norway through Kia Bil Norge AS, a distributor owned by the Norwegian automotive group Bertel O. Steen AS.

The post was deleted on Tuesday after it began attracting widespread media attention and criticism on social media. One of the most notable responses came from well-known Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt, who shared the advertisement on X.

Elon Musk himself reacted to the controversy, replying to Merritt’s post with a brief but pointed response: “They really did that?”

Now circling back to the Kia EV3, which was the centerpiece of the post, the electric SUV is available in two battery configurations. The base Short Range model features a 58.3-kWh NMC-type battery pack, offering up to 435 KM of WLTP range.

Meanwhile, the Long Range version comes with a larger 81.4-kWh NMC unit, extending its maximum range to 605 KM (WLTP). The EV3 is also rumored to enter the Malaysian market soon.