Kia Soul to sell in China in March 2009

Shanghai, May 29 (Gasgoo.com) Kia Motors Corporation released the first official photograph of the all-new compact family car, called the 'Kia Soul", on May 22, 2008. And it will debut the all-new Soul at the 2008 Paris auto show. The Soul will go on sale first in Korea and Europe at the beginning of 2009 and will be introduced into American and Chinese markets in March.

The all-new Kia Soul defines a distinct crossover style, which indicates Kia Motors' future development as reflected in its name "soul and spirit". The Soul, a collaborative effort by Kia’ design studio in California and design studio in Korea, has made appearances at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as three concept versions. Now the production version of Soul is designed by Kia Motors European Headquarters & Design Center. This new production model almost retains all the features of the Soul concept version.

The front-wheel-drive Soul is powered by a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. To be put into production in September this year initially in Korea, the Soul then will display at the 2008 Paris auto show. Kia says the Soul will go on sale first in Korea and Europe in January, 2009, and then will enter China and North America in March 2009. It is possible for Soul to be imported to China at first.

Officials say nothing to the rumor that Soul would be put into production in early December this year, but the new plant of Dongfeng Yuedakia Automobile (a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Kia Motors, and Yueda in China) has been capable of producing this model.

Kia Motors will build an all-new manufacturing facility in Georgia, U.S., in 2009, with an annual production capacity estimated at 300,000 units. Kia Soul for the North America market will be put into production in this plant.