Team-BHP - Kia Motors coming to India

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Originally Posted by sajands (Post 4609386)

Do KIA have any plans on launching hatchbacks this year in India? I see the buzz on the Carnival, Sportage ( waiting for this to be launched) and the Seltos but there is no news on what hatchback lineup is in store for this year.

No, the next two products are going to be an MUV/SUV. Cross posting my post from the Seltos thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mukund (Post 4608434)

Autocar interviews KIA motors global CEO - Han Woo Park
https://youtu.be/QoCOW-UsPbE

Excerpts from the video:
- The next two KIA models are going to be SUVs/MUV
- A new launch every 6-9 months after Seltos
- Customer satisfaction and brand building the first priorities since they're very late to the marlet
- Invested in the diesel technology with BSVI compliant engines
- No apparent plans of launching hatchbacks yet
- The Anantapur facility is capable of manufacturing hybrids/ev's
- EVs will be introduced when the market is ready for it (infrastructure and regulations)
- Hopes to sell 30,000 Seltos in 2019 (September to December)

P.S: Not a great interview by Hormazd. Could've asked about the warranties, after sales support, dealer choices, parts/technology sharing with Hyundai. Positioning vis-a-vis Hyundai, Seltos vs next gen Creta. KIA seems to be in it for the long run, in a better position to crack the market than MG, IMO

Does anyone have any information on Dealerships opening in Mumbai, especially Mumbai Suburbs? I am in the market for an upgrade to my 7 year old Honda Jazz. The Creta is more or less finalized but I am okay to hold on till the Kia Seltos launch. I have not seen a single Kia showroom coming up in the Suburbs, so worried about the dealership and service strength.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebring (Post 4609203)

'KIA is on its way', says a board at their showroom location at JP Nagar, Bangalore. This is 'Bang' on the main road and one of the most premium locations of Bangalore. Latest entrant MG is just a stone throw away.

This showroom is just a kilometre away from my house. Interestingly, the MG showroom is also about a kilometre away, and in fact in an even more "premium" portion of the neighbourhood, surrounded by the recently opened restaurants, pubs and other car showrooms (Nexa, Ford, etc) in this section of the city. Have a feeling that the Kia showroom will be made well, given the way it seems to be turning out. clap:

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Originally Posted by DriveT (Post 4606793)

+1. I too tried for the same but no details are available on internet. Had also enquired with one of Kothari delership in Pune, whose salesman indicated that a showroom on Tilak Road is under development for KIA dealership.

Yes seems to be near Alka Talkies according to them.

Got this from a friend,

Dear All,

Please be informed that Kia Motors India has not released any official communication around the booking process of the upcoming Kia Seltos. This is to bring to your notice that there are certain fraudulent websites claiming to be the official channel for the booking process – Kia Motors India advises customers to stay clear of such websites and wait for the official communication

Kindly take a note, the bookings for Kia Seltos will start in July and customers will be duly notified of the process by Kia Motors India. For further information kindly log on to www.kia-motors.in

Regards,

Apparently there was a fake website floating online which was made by a rival brand dealer, collecting info from buyers and selling them "their new product". Which is why this statement has been released.

However, Kia dealers are accepting bookings at their upcoming dealerships, and the company doesnt seem to deny that.

Hyundai has a very good synergy with its sister company Kia, the two South Korean brands. Hyundai has established itself in our market with its grand entry in 1998 (Santro with Shahrukh Khan).

With Hyundai having a thorough manufacturing and marketing insight of our car market, its sister concern Kia has the welcome carpet already laid out now.

Austin Motors (British Leyland) ex - MD, George Turnbull was hired by Hyundai in the early 1970's to conceptualise and manufacture the mid sized Pony. With the Pony, Hyundai made it big in Europe in the 1970's and US in the 1980's (Pony II). With initial quality niggles, the Pony faced headwinds and was categorised as "cheap Asian imports", but these were soon sorted out. One Western magazine had also used a phrase "cheap ugly boxes (CUB's)" for such cars. Hyundai climbed the success ladder learning the hard way and there was no looking back for Hyundai thereafter.

As exceptions, most Asian car makers are excelling in our market. Many of their car models have made international debuts in India.

Some of the Western car makers, who are struggling and doddering here or are winding up, need to take a relook into their strategies vis a vis the most successful Asian car makers. They can then catch up for sure and make it big in the one of the world's largest, emerging car markets.

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Originally Posted by curiosity (Post 4610345)

Navi Mumbai dealership is opening up on the Sion Panvel highway in Juinagar. It is right next to BMW and about 200 Mtrs away from MG motors dealership.

It looks like they have selected a building which is under construction which may mean that it will take time for everything to be in place, unlike MG which moved into a constructed building.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajands (Post 4609386)

Kia is taking a top down approach in India with bigger cars first and smaller cars later. Namely, They have Picanto which is their smaller offering but no news whether its coming or not.