Bob Lutz Talks About the Stinger

[SEA Stinger]

At the 2017 Detroit Motor show Road & Track interviewed Bob Lutz about the KIA Stinger. Lutz had a lot of favorable comments. Peter Schreyer makes a cameo appearance near the end of the vid.

Should this be moved to the KIA Stinger in the News section?

 

[mldavis2]

Very interesting video, very complimentary. Obviously done before the car was priced.

 

[MarkyMark]

Bob is pretty much an inside-the-beltway automotive legend. And while old, look how quickly he can spot quality brushed aluminum, and then the pained aluminum plastic door handles. Boom! Just like that he notices stuff, so he's still sharp.

Loved his comment about how it only costs about $200 - $300 to put nice leather in, and quality materials to make a car a spartan to a super luxury vehicle, and yet companies skimp (is Lutz referring to GM anyone... new Buick Regal Sportback comes to mind. Ugh...).

But he has a very keen marketing mind also. His mentioning of the pricing being key. Yes, shot before pricing had been announced. I wonder if he thinks it's too low, too high or just right? Personally, as a consumer I want more and I want it free! But in reality, I think they priced it just right. I say so, because I'd want it a few thousand less across the board, but I'm getting one anyway. So that's a big sign they nailed the pricing. Consumer wants it less, but will pay more regardless. And not so high it's just a symbol for the company, but they'll move all they can also.

 

[ralzod]

Lutz: "I think this is a world-class car; highly competitive. I don't know where it's priced, and pricing's going to have a lot to do with it. I hope they don't sell it too cheap, because a surprisingly low price might help sell cars, but it wouldn't do the brand any good."

I guess KMA saw this interview, but Kia Canada missed it. And now we know how they won the lottery.

 

[westcoastGT]

Lutz: "I think this is a world-class car; highly competitive. I don't know where it's priced, and pricing's going to have a lot to do with it. I hope they don't sell it too cheap, because a surprisingly low price might help sell cars, but it wouldn't do the brand any good."

I guess KMA saw this interview, but Kia Canada missed it. And now we know how they won the lottery.

My dealer GM told me yesterday that they have sold /delivered 9 Stinger GT's since intro in November , which I believe is a pretty solid performance for them , I pushed him on whether a price increase was coming this year ( in Canada ) and he said " I dont think so " .........................this despite suggesting the opposite a few months back . I cant help but feel KMC underpriced the GTs here and KMA overpriced them in the US .......-5K here and +5K there .

 

[MarkyMark]

My dealer GM told me yesterday that they have sold /delivered 9 Stinger GT's since intro in November , which I believe is a pretty solid performance for them , I pushed him on whether a price increase was coming this year ( in Canada ) and he said " I dont think so " .........................this despite suggesting the opposite a few months back . I cant help but feel KMC underpriced the GTs here and KMA overpriced them in the US .......-5K here and +5K there .

The only pricing note I would have (US versions) is the base price is right on the money. The Premium package, however, is about $1500 too high. Sunroof, speaker system (which isn't that great), and a bunch of little things does not add up to the price increase they way to charge.

This then sets the GT's having to start above and beyond the Premium 2.0L, which seems to set the entire lineup about $1,500 too high.

If Kia doesn't see any weakness, so be it, but rarely do companies shift pricing south. Rather, Kia can throw rebates to put the pricing into the right brackets, and/or they can remix features on the GT to add more value to the 2019 lineup.

The US models are missing the 360 camera, no cup holder drawer, etc...

I'd like to see rebates with a new mix or more al-a-carte features, but we'll see... Alas, Blind Spot and Heads Up Display is all I'm really after. Can't get them without: A. Ordering a $2k safety package, and B. Can't get the heads up display in ANY model but the GT 2! Ack!...

 

[westcoastGT]

The only pricing note I would have (US versions) is the base price is right on the money. The Premium package, however, is about $1500 too high. Sunroof, speaker system (which isn't that great), and a bunch of little things does not add up to the price increase they way to charge.

This then sets the GT's having to start above and beyond the Premium 2.0L, which seems to set the entire lineup about $1,500 too high.

If Kia doesn't see any weakness, so be it, but rarely do companies shift pricing south. Rather, Kia can throw rebates to put the pricing into the right brackets, and/or they can remix features on the GT to add more value to the 2019 lineup.

The US models are missing the 360 camera, no cup holder drawer, etc...

I'd like to see rebates with a new mix or more al-a-carte features, but we'll see... Alas, Blind Spot and Heads Up Display is all I'm really after. Can't get them without: A. Ordering a $2k safety package, and B. Can't get the heads up display in ANY model but the GT 2! Ack!...

I should have qualified my +/-5K point as being a fully loaded GT AWD.....................

 

[KikoTheAkita]

At 2:40, Somebody please explain to Mr. Lutz that the grill is emblematic of a "Tiger Nose", not an "Extended Dog Bone". Sheeesh !

 

[ralzod]

At 2:40, Somebody please explain to Mr. Lutz that the grill is emblematic of a "Tiger Nose", not an "Extended Dog Bone". Sheeesh !

At least he didn't confuse an engine part with a spaceship. Geeez...that guy!!!

Front license plate custom cover plate?

 

[Kia Stinger]

Extended Dog Bone

That's hilarious.

 

[MarkyMark]

At least he didn't confuse an engine part with a spaceship. Geeez...that guy!!!

If I'm A. Alive, and B. If so at 85, and doing as well as he is, I won't complain. He's amazingly sharp for that age still.

 

[corradoMR2]

I should have qualified my +/-5K point as being a fully loaded GT AWD.....................

Thing is at 5K more, I would not have bought it. I think the price is right here and about 3-4K too high in the US.

 

[westcoastGT]

Thing is at 5K more, I would not have bought it. I think the price is right here and about 3-4K too high in the US.

Thing is at 5K more, I would not have bought it. I think the price is right here and about 3-4K too high in the US.

I was anticipating a high 50's MSRP based on their current portfolio price points . Given I had already owned 2 Kias in the last 3 years I was pretty confident with Kia quality so when I saw the release price I was almost shocked ( my wife thinks we should buy another one ) I'm happy but do think they left some money on the table .................It will be interesting to see how the real sales volume numbers track ...........glad youre here !