Kia Teases Their Next SUV, which is Bound for Indian Market
The 2020 Delhi Auto Expo will be where Kia reveals its next crossover. This yet-to-be-named vehicle is said to be the third offering from Kia for India after the Seltos and Carnival.
This upcoming crossover was teased in a couple of conceptual render shots that show very little resembling a finished product. But if this is to be Kia’s third offering in India and no other existing products will be launched there, then it’s safe to assume that the final form of the vehicle is pretty close to production.
It’s tough to make an accurate guess, as many elements, like the rims, are shown in a disproportionate way, but this could be anything from a Sportage-sized vehicle or even a CX-8-sized vehicle with three rows of seats. Perhaps even a smaller B-segment crossover to complement the existing Seltos. We’re really not sure, but it’s safe to say we won’t be seeing it anytime soon.
Kia entered the Indian market in 2019 and even went as far as to open a production facility there, where the Seltos is produced.
Press Release
Kia Motors India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation, today revealed a sneak-peek of its upcoming concept compact SUV from its stable. The concept will be globally unveiled at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo 2020 and is the third offering of Kia for India. With its modern, dynamic and bold design, this concept will be a testimony of Kia’s focus on consumer-insight driven product innovation and orientation. This bold concept along with its head-turning looks, dimensions, and features will embody Kia’s ‘Power to Surprise’ slogan in India.
About Kia’s India Manafacturing Hub
Kia Motors Corporation has officially opened its new Indian production facility today in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. Following a USD 1.1 billion investment by Kia, the new Kia Motors India (KMI) manufacturing plant is now fully operational.
The grand opening ceremony takes place just two years after construction began in the fourth quarter of 2017. The KMI plant is the new production home for Kia’s first ‘made in India’ product, the Seltos compact SUV, with other models to follow in the future.
The first model manufactured by KMI is the new Seltos compact SUV. The Seltos, launched in India in August, was met with strong sales. A total of 40,649 units were sold as of November 2019.
Kia’s plans for the Indian new car market include the production of additional models at KMI and an expanded product portfolio. Kia will commence production of its premium MPV model at KMI in early 2020. The brand also plans to introduce a new sub-compact SUV model to the market later that year, strengthening its Utility Vehicle brand image in India.
As Kia’s Indian product portfolio grows, the brand has already introduced a bold new digital sales strategy for all models sold in India along with an online sales channel, enabling every phase of car purchase online. The company will also enhance its aftersales services for customers with the launch of a new 24-hour real-time mobile service for vehicle maintenance, including service reservation, vehicle diagnosis and payment.
Kia plans to strengthen its offline presence as well. Already established with 265 touchpoints and service centers in 160 different cities, it will add an additional 50 touchpoints and services centers by March, 2020.
Echoing the brand’s global reputation as a tech innovator, Kia will also strengthen its brand image in India with the launch of a series of new ‘connected’ telematics technologies for Indian customers. With the launch of new vehicles in India, Kia will roll-out a series of new features to its product portfolio, including next-generation e-Call telematics, advanced GPS and navigation systems, remote ignition, real-time traffic monitoring, and a range of comfort-oriented features.
Kia recently opened a BEAT360 brand experience center in the city of Gurugram, near New Delhi, to better engage with customers. The company is also expanding its business across India with a new partnership with ride-hailing service Ola. Kia invested USD 60 million to India’s leading car-hailing service provider Ola. Customers will be able to enjoy innovative mobility services including on-demand test drive, vehicle subscription. Kia also partnered with Revv, car-sharing service leader in Indian, preparing to introduce an integrated fleet solution of vehicle supply and maintenance.
The Anantapur production facility is capable of producing up to around 300,000 units each year, boosting Kia’s total global manufacturing volume as it enters the world’s fifth-largest new car market. The plant occupies around 23 million square feet (2.16 km2 / 536 acres) and incorporates facilities for stamping, welding, painting and assembly. In addition to gasoline and diesel variants of the Seltos, production of future electric and hybrid vehicles was put into consideration when designing the KMI plant production lines.
The plant is equipped with more than 450 robots, helping to automate the press, body and paint shops, as well as the assembly line. Additionally, the area around KMI is home to numerous supplier companies’ facilities. Kia’s presence in Anantapur has helped to create over 12,000 new direct and indirect jobs across the region.
The facility also aligns with Kia’s global focus on quality, with a control center ensuring the highest manufacturing standards. The final stage of the plant’s production process is an advanced quality assessment and evaluation, carried out in tandem with suppliers to enable all parties to benefit from findings. Kia’s quality control measures ensure continuous improvements to product quality, bolstering the brand’s hard-won reputation for reliability.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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