[TusharK]

According to a media report, having consolidated its position in the Indian market, Kia is now looking to expand to smaller towns and rural areas.



Tae-Jin Park, executive director and chief sales officer, Kia Motor India, has stated that the carmaker is expanding its network and aims to reach 300 touchpoints by the end of this year. The company will focus on tier-IV and upcoming markets. Over the next 2-3 years, Kia will also focus on reach and enhancing the profitability of dealers.

Kia forayed into the Indian market with the Seltos crossover. Earlier this year, the carmaker launched the Sonet, which shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Venue. Kia also offers the Carnival MPV in India.

Kia has achieved operational profitability in just the first year of operations. By the end of the last fiscal, the company’s operational profit stood at Rs. 308 crore.

Source

Link to Team-BHP News

[tirumalavoleti]

Amazing journey for a car manufacturer with just ~2 years in to the Indian Auto industry.

Perhaps, their sister company Hyundai provided the market depth they needed for launch.

Both Seltos and Sonet are doing good numbers. Sure they would bring Sportage as well seeing the success rate.

[RSR]

Along with new dealerships, Kia must also open over-the-counter spare part sales, either through their dealership service outlets or through a dedicated distribution channel.

Hyundai was forced by the courts/CCI to make spares available for sale (when they were fined along with most other manufacturers).

Hyundai subsequently opened an acceptably widespread distribution & sales channel for spare parts through Mobis. I often shop at a Mobis outlet for Hyundai consumables & spares and find it very convenient.

Kia should learn from Hyundai and open such a channel for spare sales before they’re pulled up by the courts/CCI.

[DeathPig]

Originally Posted by RSR

Kia should learn from Hyundai and open such a channel for spare sales before they’re pulled up by the courts/CCI.

If KIA do get pulled up, it might be for forcing customers to buy insurance from them, saying it's mandatory. Although this is more on the dealers than on the manufacturer I guess.