Kia, the biggest automobile maker is planning to bring to launch a new vehicle brand into the US market. A seven passenger crossover that will be launched in the US market will compete against Toyota Matrix and the Dodge Caliper. The Kia Carens will enter Europe by this year last and will likely make it to the U.S. market as the Kia Rondo by about the same time. Crossover has invited a lot of attention and is in high demand around the world. This is an entirely new vehicle. Will the Rondo succeed? It is for the time to say. But yes, the early reports points to the success of this vehicle.

The proposals to start new factories in Europe and Georgia are signs of Kia’s aggressive attempts to emerge as a big player in European and New Land’s markets. Kia, acting as a subsidiary of the mighty Hyundai group has been acting as the budget Korean brand while Hyundai is the company’s value brand. The proposed Rondo will maintain Kia’s tradition of bringing out decent quality small vehicles at relatively small price.

The Rondo crossover falls into the category of mini-minivans that really have created a storm in the US market. Popular in Europe, these compact vans are smaller in size than the current American minivans, but still could carry 7 adults. The Rondo has three passenger row seating, and like other small segment vehicles, squeeze out every possible square inch of interior space to accommodate passengers. Yes, its not Camry or Corolla, but Kia is banking on consumers wanting a well appointed 7 passenger vehicle for a price tag under $20,000. No vehicle currently available in the US could to carry that many people for that small of a price. Kia score here for being the first to accomplish that feat.

With China’s Chery also planning to enter the US automobile market with a similar vehicle, Kia’s reticence is quite understandable. Kia promises better standard equipment including, standard side and head air bags, and dual zone air conditioning. Never think that Kia is just a producer of cheap subcompacts. It promises better mode of transport with superb looks and designed appearance. The future of Kia in the US seems to be bright. The rest could be said only after the final response from the users in the US. So we will wait until then.

Other Related ArticlesHyundai: The Journey From Korea to USSuzuki: The Small Car MakerMitsubishi Fuso: Safety Driving AssuredHyundai Genesis: The Korean Tycoon in EuropeRules on Road in Dubai Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites Tags: Cars, automobile, Kia, Hyundai, Europe, China, Korea, mini van, Rondo, Georgia

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 28th, 2008 at 1:57 pm and is filed under Luxury Cars. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.