Kia Motors to take on Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Verna with pipeline hatchback, sedan

by IndianAuto Team | 25/08/2018
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Kia Motors Corp gears up developing a premium hatchback and a mid-size sedan to compete with the Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai i20 and Verna.

Korean automaker Kia Motors is reportedly planning to develop a hatchback and a mid-size sedan for the Indian markets. Kia Motors is claimed to seek to fend off the competition from more established rivals as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai in this tough auto market. Codenamed as KP1 and KP2, these new models could be made its debut one year after Kia Motors launches the SUV based on its SP concept, which arrives in the second half of 2019.

Kia Motors badge

Kia Motors is scheduled to develop a hatchback and a mid-size sedan for the Indian markets

As this SUV is claimed by Kia to be the first offering for the Indian market. This drives the probable launch date of its upcoming hatchback and mid-size sedan to be around the festive season in 2020. 

Kia Motor SUV at showcase orange color

Kia Motors is likely to introduce its SUV in the second half of 2019

It is said in a press release recently, 

"The hatchback that Kia is planning to bring into the Indian market will compete directly with Hyundai Elite i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. This (strategy) makes sense since these are the segments that are doing well and will continue to attract customers in the future as well." 

The report further added,

"In the midsize sedan segment also, the company will throw a challenge to the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift and Hyundai Verna as the quality of the products will be good and the management of Kia both in India and Korea know the India market well enough." 

To meet this bulk of demand, the Korean automaker is set to open its manufacturing facility in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh in 2019 with an initial production capacity of 300,000 units per year. The factory is scheduled to open next year.

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