Kia Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

August 22, 2008

Kia Forte images up on the Net

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The new Kia Forte appears to have success written all over it, that's assuming the car performs as good as it looks.

The car will be powered by two 1.6L engines, one gas the other diesel. The oil-burner is the more powerful in that it puts out 128 horsepower, and the gas model offers up 121 horsepower. A 2.0 engine will be offered later.

Full story here and here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Kia Unveils 2009 Forte in Korea

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Posted by: Bob Holland August 22, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Kia, Sedans

August 8, 2008

Second-Tier Asian auto brands shine in down market

The Asian "Davids" of the auto industry are showing their stuff as the "Goliaths" stumble in this new automotive world.

Hyundai, Kia, Subaru and Suzuki are all showing gains in sales (and market share) in these tough times. A lot of it is luck (as in timing), but also in having the right products at the right time--and they are are not saddled with a large percentage of huge profit-sucking vehicles in their product portfolio.

Subaru Forester260.JPG Yeah, Subaru has the Tribeca, which is still hurting them despite the refresh from a year ago. Even so, their market share is up from about 1 percent or so to about 1.52 percent. Still not huge by any means, but it is certainly heading in the right direction. Their all-new Impreza and Forester models are selling at a record rate. Hyundai's market share is now up to 4.22 percent, Kia is at 2.39 percent, and Suzuki is at 0.83 percent; all records for each of these brands.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Down Market Equals New Records for Second-Tier Asian Automakers

More good news is expected for Subaru in future months as the much-needed refresh of the '09 WRX is getting good initial reviews on the Subaru fan sites (unlike last year when the car debuted). Better news still is the '09 WRX price will begin close to that of the '08 model.

Here's Inside Line's take: 2009 Subaru WRX Priced Below $25,000

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Posted by: Bob Holland August 8, 2008, 7:11 AM
Categories: Auto Industry, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Suzuki, Trends

July 7, 2008

Hyundai-Kia pass Honda in global sales in 2007

More evidence of the world-wide popularity of the Korean auto giant Hyundai-Kia, as they passed Honda in global sales in 2007. Hyundai-Kia is now ranked fifth in terms, which is previously the rank Honda held.

The Korean automaker was ranked 11th place in 1999, but moved up to 5th place in 2007 by out-selling rivals such as Honda, Nissan, PSA / Peugeot, Chrysler and Fiat.

Now Hyundai-Kia's global sales for 2007 were 3,961,629, whereas Honda sold 3,831,000 vehicles. Hyundai-Kia has shot up six places in just eight years, according to Automotive News' 2008 Global Data Book.

Full story here.

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Posted by: Bob Holland July 7, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Auto Industry, Chrysler, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Peugeot, Trends

June 4, 2008

Kia Forte teaser

Kia released a sketch of their Forte, which is slated to replace the Spectra. Other than this image, not much is known about the car, which is reportedly coming in August.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Next-Generation Kia Spectra Sketch Makes the Web Rounds

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Posted by: Bob Holland June 4, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Future Vehicles, Kia

May 8, 2008

Kia cancels pickup plans

Bad news for Kia and truck fans. Mike Levine of PickupTruck.com is reporting (via a conversation with Jalopnik editor, Ray Wert) that the Kia pickup is not going to happen.

Apparently this cancellation is a victim of the high gas prices, and the effect that is having upon the light truck market. The truck was to built in Georgia...

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