Did you place an order? Or just ask if they can look out for what you want? I get the same lackadaisical response from retailers when I don't order something or put money down on many products, not just a car. Each dealer gets a certain number of cars allotted to them--they already now how many. They can trade with other dealers, but it's a trade, so they are giving up something to get something. Depending on whether what you want is rare or popular, that will be more or less difficult.
They can't special order a car (at the moment, presumably because KIA has decided it isn't necessary to get rid of their 2018 inventory). They can take an order from you that you are willing to wait for. If they have your commitment and see how serious you are, they will likely expend the appropriate amount of effort trying to grab the exact vehicle you want. So far, they are doing next to nothing hoping that you will compromise on a close match. Why should they put in a lot of effort and use up "trade credit" for you at this point unless they have a solid order?
Same answer as to CrazyLikeAFox--don't play in this space unless you are willing to be serious. Wait six months to a year and all will undoubtedly be calmed down to normal availability and/or special orders will be possible. And by then, KIA may even have come to their senses with the options and packages that they have bungled in multiple ways for 2018.
