KIA to introduce five new models next year

After the launch of four new vehicles this year, KIA will accelerate the introduction of new products in China next year, KIA Motors (China) General Manager Zheng Changhao disclosed in an interview yesterday. He said that KIA will introduce five new models next year, including the fourth-generation Optima, thus KIA will be the largest import models manufacturers in China. Next year, five new KIA models will significantly speed up the promotion of its brand image in China.

Mr Zheng Changhao also revealed KIA will also speed up the introduction of new models in August this year. Currently, MPV VQ has only one model in China, priced at 318,000 yuan, mainly personalized business car market. He said that MPV VQ sales target is 800 units every year, and currently monthly sales have reached 60 to 70 units.

As for the timetable for the introduction of models, Mr Zheng Changhao also revealed that KIA will introduce 1-2 2.5L diesel Sorento next year. The fourth generation Optima will be introduced in China, which will be priced more or less the same as SONATA.

Mr Zheng Changhao said that it is not easy for a model to be successfully accepted by different kinds of consumers in the competitive market. The failure of Cerato and Optima sales has its objective reasons. But in any case, one successful business model will enable the automakers survival.

"On the current auto market in China, to KIA, the imports models make more money than China-made models. This is why KIA decided to import more models to China." Mr Zheng Changhao stressed.