Team-BHP - Kia Motors coming to India

This is something I like about MNCs. They fix a date and work towards achieving that date. I would say the timeline is not very stringent one, I have seen Indian automobile manufacturers setting up brand new plant in 16 months time. Obviously it may not be an exact comparison.

Regarding the products, I think Maruti will have a reason to worry. Have seen Kia products here I always felt they are at par with Maruti vehicles. No doubt Kia has some very good products like Carnival, Sportage etc. Interesting times.

They should also start the production of Soul EV to compete with Hyundai's Kona EV by mid of this year. This would make the Hyundai-Kia group the surprise first to bring in semi-affordable EV's to the Indian market.

Kia should play the more dynamic, tech-revolutionary role among the two in the group, much like Hyundai did when it first arrived in India, but later began to fall behind as VW and Maruti caught up and exceeded in that role.

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Originally Posted by MaxTorque (Post 4536141)

This is something I like about MNCs. They fix a date and work towards achieving that date.

I think the Koreans are aggressive than others. They move ahead with clarity as well.

In the time KIA built their greenfield plant, I don’t think Ford Technology, Chennai has finished building their new office building and moved people from the old ones. In fact they took more than 2 years to just find a site.

From the look of the vehicle, it looks slightly longer than CRETA though not high enough. Hope KIA launches or shares the vehicle details (especially size) in advance to lure customers who are going to book Harrier or CRETA in next couple of months.

Also hope they buck the trend & launch with an Automatic version at launch (if Wagon R could why should TATA or KICKS not launch). Fingers crossed

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Originally Posted by hemanth.anand (Post 4539355)

Got these images on WhatsApp of a Kia event where Niro and Carnival were showcased. Looks like it is in India. I have no further information.

I think it is this event in Trivandrum:
"Korean firm to launch SUV

....As part of the company’s design tour, Kia Motors showcased two of their latest models at an event here on Monday. A pressnote said the company had plans to expand its portfolio by launching cars every six months. It announced the development of hybrid and electric vehicles."

link

I guess there will more such shows in other cities.

PS: Isn't the touchscreen a tad too small for vehicles of this class?!

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Originally Posted by 2cents (Post 4539441)

I think it is this event in Trivandrum:

Wonder why they had such an event here in Trivandrum. Maybe they might have just started here and then to other cities. But from what I heard, there will be a dealer in Trivandrum and neighboring district, Kollam.

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Originally Posted by 2cents (Post 4539441)

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Originally Posted by akhil_rpmlover (Post 4539471)

In today's Malayala Manorama paper. It's an Ad, cleverly placed so as to look like an article!

From what I hear, Mr. Babu Moopan has bagged the dealership rights for Kia in Kerala - select cities.

The other dealerships he currently own include Nippon (Toyota) and Autobahn (BharatBenz). And both are extremely healthy here in Kerala. So, it is very fair to say, he can read the market pretty well. :)

I think both of them got a shot in the arm. Kia looks really well placed to shoot right to the top of our charts.

Kia Motors' first dealership in India opens in Noida. The first dealership is called Allied Motors and has the Stinger GT and the Rio on display as per the news report.

Source : ACI

This is really good news. Kia has a solid lineup in their portfolio, and I really hope they bring in some of their strong products to India. The Kia Optima and Ceed are brilliant cars.

On a side note, I live in Estonia, and last week I had the pleasure of driving a friends Kia Stinger - a RWD on a snowy road. And what a car that is :D

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Originally Posted by //M (Post 4545362)

Kia Motors' first dealership in India opens in Noida. The first dealership is called Allied Motors and has the Stinger GT and the Rio on display as per the news report.

Source : ACI

Why would you open a showroom when the launch date of your first car is not so near. All the leaks we have read so far suggests a Jun-Sep qtr for the launch and then we have this dealer showing cars which might not even see the light of the day in near future. I wonder what it would achieve for Kia.

MG on the other hand, restricted themselves to Malls for a showcase than actual showrooms. I would love to see Kia car popping up next month in Market but it looks unlikely.