Kia Unveils Its Plans In India Before 2019 Debut

Kia is now ready to take part in the Indian car market with the launch of the SP-Concept compact SUV by the latter half of 2019. Now, the South Korean car manufacturer has disclosed more about its plans and products for India in the future, at least by 2022. Let’s discover what Kia has to offer.

1. Kia’s Upcoming Products

Kia has announced that it is going to launch at least five vehicles by 2022. To reach this target, a new car will be released every six months, starting with the compact SUVs based on the SP concept next year, the Kia Sportage and the Kia Soul. Like its rivals, Kia will not only enter the compact SUV segment but also other segments like the premium hatchback segment with the Kia Rio and the MPV segment with the Kia Carnival as well.

To be more specific, firstly, two compact SUVs based on the SP concept will be launched, the Kia Sportage and the Kia Soul. The fourth-gen Sportage compact SUV will be the first vehicle by Kia to be launched in India, expected to be in the third quarter of 2019. The second product, the Kia Soul, which will have an electric option is expected to be brought to India by late 2019.

The Kia Sportage SUV will be the first vehicle to be launched in India by Kia Motors

After the Kia Sportage, the Kia Soul will be the next Kia product to appear in India

Although the South Korean automaker has made no confirmation as to the launch of the Kia Rio, the premium hatchback, which is already being sold in numerous international market, is expected to come to the Indian auto market in the next two years. The Rio hatchback shares the platform and the engine with the Hyundai Elite i20. Therefore, it will be much more economical for Kia to introduce it here instead of a brand-new vehicle. Moreover, the 7-seater version of the Kia Grand Carnival will be launched in 2020.

Kia Rio will be the first hatchback to come to India

The 7-seater version of the Kia Grand Carnival is expected to be launched in India by 2020

Currently, no sub-4m SUV exists in Kia’s car portfolio. Given that it is one of the most teeming car segments in India, the Southern Korea carmaker is expected to release one sub-4m SUV model which might share the platform with the forthcoming Hyundai SUV, the QXi.

2. Kia’s Expected Showroom Network 

Kia is anticipated to start its penetration into the Indian auto market with more than 70 dealers all over the country and the presence in Tier IV cities. The target of the South Korean carmaker is to have one of the largest network systems established by a newcomer, which is expected to help Kia develop prestige among its potential auto buyers.

Kia Motors intends to establish over 70 dealerships across India

3. Kia's Market Position

As regards the position in the Indian auto market, Kia intends to have 15% of market share in India and become one of the five largest auto manufacturers in the country by 2022. From our viewpoint, it seems to be an ambitious objective and the South Korean automaker will have numerous difficulties in achieving this in such a short period of time. Hyundai, Kia’s older sibling, entered the market in 1998. After 20 years, currently, it is the second largest automaker in India after Maruti Suzuki with 16%. So, is it possible for Kia, the newcomer to do a similar thing, after just 3 years, from 2019 to 2022? Let’s see.

In general, Kia seems to be ready to enter the Indian car market with a wide range of automobiles in the most teeming segments in India. These vehicles will be showcased in a large network system across the country, which will help Kia achieve the target of becoming one of the five top automakers in India. Kia is expected to make every endeavour to develop its products and services both in terms of the quantity and quality in order to accomplish this objective, though hard it may seem.

Do you think Kia will be successful in the India car market? Let us know in the comment box below.

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