Automotive The Racket

The Korean automaker Kia car has set a strategy remarkably aggressive in its expansion (both market and target segments) during the last couple of years to the point of consolidation as one of the automakers with uniform and constant presence around the world.

Now we can witness how Kia is in full (and risky) venture into an entirely new market for the brand after the good reception given to the GT concept car first seen at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show a few months ago. Just enough that the audience for this Auto Show runs out of breath by the design of the car leading to the design department received final approval by the directors of Kia to move into the commercial phase of development of this sport.

One of the most innovative features for an Asian company is planning to create a whole family of vehicles based on the concept GT, much in the vein of the BMW 6 Series will include a 4-door Coupé from next year. It is very possible even to see a family car with sporty lines very much in the tradition of Alfa Romeo. Read the rest of this entry →

Has not been sufficient time for people to have begun to call “Kia MX-5″ (given their largeness segment so far dominated the popular Mazda), and the rapid expansion of Kia has to be included in future plans very close to adding a roadster that injects a Korean brand strength to position itself as a sports brand, and believes in dynamic driving pleasure.

Paul Philpott, the head of the brand for the European market, said the publication specialization “AutoExpress” the new two-seater quickly become the preferred choice of the European market in this segment. Also said that while he would like the roadster on the streets this year or next, it would be unrealistic to expect this car as a 2014 model in autumn 2013.

Philpott also said the company is positioned as a brand aimed at an audience younger than the target of its sister company Hyundai, and that the program currently is the holding company is to achieve a clear differentiation between Hyundai and Kia.

The idea is to follow the same trend set by VW in relation to its Spanish subsidiary SEAT: Kia is fun, dynamic and younger, Hyundai is more about the style and comfort oriented to a higher class. “If you think it’s more like Volkswagen Hyundai, Kia Seat is more like,” said Philpott.