A new car brand has officially made its way into India. Kia Motors, a subsidiary of Hyundai, have arrived in style, showcasing the SP Concept, and almost their entire global portfolio of vehicles.
Kia Motors India have begun their India sojourn with the reveal of the striking new SP Concept. The new compact SUV concept bears the distinct Kia identity, primarily the closing-jaw front grille that is accompanied by sharp lines that define its proportions. Apparently based on the Hyundai Creta, the SP Concept point to the direction the company will be taking with design, offering a bold new alternative to compact SUV seekers when it does arrive.
Kia will commence operations in 2019. As an indication of what lies ahead, the Korean company had a long line of vehicles on display, including the compact Picanto, Rio, Stonic compact SUV, Cerato sedan, the popular and reasonably-priced Cee’d, Cadenza sedan, Stinger four-door coupé, Sportage SUV, Mohave large SUV, Sorento seven-seat SUV, Grand Carnival (aka Sedona) premium van, with the electrified Soul EV, Niro PHEV, and Optima Hybrid also on display. Conspicuous by its absence in the line-up was the Carens seven-seat compact car, which we believe would make good sense for India.
Newly appointed Managing Director and CEO of Kia Motors India, Kookhyun Shim, said they were delighted to enter the fifth-largest economy, and will ensure that their principle ‘the power to surprise’ reflects in everything they do in India.
Kia have commenced work on their plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh with the factory set to begin rolling out cars next year.
Story: Jim Gorde
