Team-BHP - Kia evaluating Stinger, Sorento & Telluride for India

2020 World Car of the Year: Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride was chosen from an initial entry list of 29 vehicles from all over the world. The SUV had edged out the Mazda 3 and the Mazda CX-30 to win the coveted WCOTY 2020 award. Commenting on the win, Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head of product division at Kia Motors Corporation said, this is one of the hardest-fought competitions in the global automotive industry, proving that the Telluride is a truly outstanding vehicle. This accolade is testament to the talents and efforts of a worldwide team, who all strive to create desirable, high-quality and practical cars that drivers love.

https://www.indiatoday.in/auto/lates...046-2020-04-09

What a time for Kia to bring it to India

The Telluride looks nice but with those huge American dimensions, a thirsty V6 petrol & a CBU price, I fear it'll be a sales disaster with only a few politicians and film stars picking them up.

The Stinger is likely to be discontinued globally even though they are facelifting the current one.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...-decision/amp/

That leaves the yummy Sorento & the stunning K5 Optima.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/auto.nd...ed-2150074/amp

Please bring them both to India ASAP as well as the facelifted Carnival. Couple them with the Seltos & Sonet, and your future 5 years is assured.

I love the way Kia has approached its India strategy. First it hit a blockbuster segment (Creta) which sits smack in a price point that represents strong volume as well as is premium enough for it to not be slotted as a budget car player.

Second launch, Carnival - super premium product creating a brand new niche.

The market now perceives Kia as premium AND successful (and success always attracts more success).

I feel its laid itself out very nicely to make a bid for segments below the Seltos (like Ecosport etc) as well as well above (like Fortuner). It would of course be better off approaching the latter first so it firmly establishes its premium credentials before venturing lower down the food chain.

Even Hyundai has struggled with success in any segment above the Creta price point. To my mind, the Kia will have a better crack at this given that its first perception with customers is not a budget hatch but a premium version of a Creta. Telluride and Stinger might be hoping for a bit much but the Sorento could definitely be yet another superhit in India.

Handsome designs, well appointed interiors, reasonable value i.e. not obscenely overpriced (I still think the Carnival will get away with its slightly rich pricing for sheer lack of competition).

Kia Motors expects delay in new model launches due to COVID-19 - Link

Quote:

The company, which will launch its compact SUV Sonet -- its third model in India --next month, however, believes in the mid and long term potential of the country despite the temporary blip at present, and its overall plans remain unchanged.

"We had said that every six months we will bring a new vehicle. We are doing that with Sonet after we launched Carnival despite the COVID-19 pandemic," Kia Motors India Vice-President & Head - Marketing and Sales, Manohar Bhat told .

When asked if the plan would remain intact despite the global health crisis, he said, "Going forward we will study the market trend, to see where it is going in the aftermath of COVID-19. We had planned a couple of vehicles. We will see but we intend to carry on with our commitment although there could be some slight delays."

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelguy (Post 4860920)

Kia Motors expects delay in new model launches due to COVID-19 - Link

Hi Wheelguy, thank you for the update. Any news on what the fourth car from Kia would be? I’m guessing they wouldn’t launch the Telluride, K5 or the Sorento during the pandemic times. I personally would love these three cars in the Indian market. Maybe the Rio or Soul in Q1 2021?

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRJ (Post 4860953)

Any news on what the fourth car from Kia would be?

Kia is developing an MPV that'll be positioned between Ertiga & Innova. Basically it'll be based on Seltos Platform and will be priced below Carnival & in same range as Seltos. So, those who prefer SUV Styling will have Seltos. While those who want practicality of MPV will have this option.

It'll share same engines as Seltos, have proper 3 row seating and will come with premium interiors. Also, it'll have new body style. It won't be like Stretched Seltos with 3rd Row. It'll be a proper MPV. Kia is also aiming this to offer more value proposition compared to Innova. Hence it'll be nearly as good but slightly cheaper.

Kia had already said that their 4th car will be a MPV, so this is sure in development. In another 3-4 months, we may start to see test mules.

In the mean time, Kia could also launch Seltos Electric to compete with MG eZS & Hyundai Kona. It could be priced around 20-25 lakhs with claimed range of upto 500 kms. It's slated to go on sale in China this year. So, we may also see Kia showing it's presence in Electric SUV segment. They do have Niro Hybrid & Niro EV, but that'll be more expensive (30+ lakhs), so Kia might feel the Seltos EV to be a better choice to launch here.

I am actually looking forward to Seltos EV. Let's wait & watch.

Kia Motors reveals new design for fastback Stinger

Quote:

New Delhi: Kia Motors Corporation on Wednesday released the first images of the upgraded Kia Stinger, revealing a refreshed design for its fastback sports sedan. The new Kia Stinger is due-on-sale in Korea, during the third quarter of 2020; sales in many of Kia’s global markets will follow later.

The changes in the design have amplified its gran Turismo character. The upgraded model comes with a range of design updates, inside and out.

https://auto.economictimes.indiatime...inger/77508515

Kia Sorento could launch in India in next year

Quote:

Kia Motors India has tasted success with the Seltos, its first product for the domestic market. The mid-size SUV was followed by the introduction of the Carnival premium MPV earlier this year and Kia will strengthen its SUV portfolio with the launch of the Sonet compact SUV next month and it has just been unveiled.

Catering to higher volumes, the sub-four-metre SUV will be loaded with premium features and technologies, and it makes us wonder what is next for the South Korean auto major. We can expect Kia to consolidate its SUV portfolio further as it has a premium brand image.

https://gaadiwaadi.com/kia-sorento-s...year-in-india/

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 4870103)

Bring it to India! Will do a 'Seltos' on the Fortuner & Endeavour.

I think the Sorento will arrive in India by 2022, but I'm entirely speculating here. The Telluride and K5 do not come in RHD and KIA have already ruled out the K5 for Australia saying they have no plans to build the K5 in RHD configuration. The new Sorento on the other hand comes in RHD and has started to arrive in the UK like you've posted and will soon arrive in Australia as well.

If KIA stick to their original plan of launching a new product every six months, then I think their release cycle will look something like this:

2019 - Seltos
2020 - Carnival (Premium)
2020 - Sonet
2021 - Soul EV/Niro EV? (EV/Premium)
2021 - Seltos based midsize MPV
2022 - Sorento? (Premium)
2022 - Seltos Facelift