The Korean brand will continue to keep away from the mainstream hatchback and sedan segment in the Indian market.
25 Oct 2024 | 5683 Views | By Akbar Merchant, Autocar India
Kia Motors, which entered the Indian market in 2019, will continue to focus on the mainstream SUV and MPV segment. Kia’s current line-up for India includes the Sonet, Seltos, Carens, Carnival and EV9, thanks to a larger market share for these types of vehicles here.
No Kia sedan or ...
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Kia Motors, which entered the Indian market in 2019, will continue to focus on the mainstream SUV and MPV segment. Kia’s current line-up for India includes the Sonet, Seltos, Carens, Carnival and EV9, thanks to a larger market share for these types of vehicles here.
No Kia sedan or hatchback in India for now
Speaking on the sidelines of the Kia Carnival launch, Hardeep Singh Brar, VP and Head of Marketing for Kia India said, "When we came to India, we were very clear. We are going to be in SUV and MPV space and we call it recreational vehicles. And we found that the segments are shifting towards this. And I think our crystal gazing was right. Today, SUVs and MPVs put together, are inching very close to two-thirds of the overall volumes."
In India, hatchback and sedan segments are shrinking, which is why Kia India wants to focus on growing segments like the SUVs and MPVs. The brand had decided to “double down” on these segments in 2020 and has since then, made India an export hub for its mainstream SUVs and MPVs like the Carens, Seltos and the Sonet.
New Kia SUV, MPV launches in 2025
Kia will introduce an all-new sub-four- metre compact SUV early next year that will most likely take on the Syros moniker upon launch. Positioned between the Sonet-Seltos duo, this SUV will be an upright vehicle, which will overlap both the products, not only in terms of price but also features. An electric version will follow suit.
The Carens MPV that takes on the Ertiga, will get a major update sometime in the middle of 2025. Apart from cosmetic tweaks, it will get more features as well. Additionally, the Kia will also introduce the Carens EV in the market around the same period, which will directly rival the recently launched BYD eMax 7.