India, Dec. 11 -- A hybrid variant of the Kia Seltos "is very much on the cards", according to a top Kia India executive, even as affordability remains a challenge.

"We are very firm (on our hybrid plans). We expect clear timelines in a couple of months," Atul Sood, senior vice president of sales & marketing at Kia India Pvt. Ltd., said on the sidelines of the launch of the second-generation Kia Seltos in New Delhi on Wednesday. "The challenge is affordability, so we're evaluating localisation of key hybrid components."

Does that include the localisation of cell manufacturing as well? "We will take a call in the next few months, possibly post-budget. But the intent is clear: hybrid technology will come," he said.

"India accounts for a ...