It's Beginning...

[SEA Stinger]

I mentioned this in another post at the end of last year. In Korea, Kia projected to sell 80% 2.0T and 20% of the 3.3TTs of the Stinger at launch. However, after 6 months of sale, they sold 40% 2.0Ts and 60% of the V6s....

....It's the mass market that will make or break the model. I also suspect the general public will buy more 2.0 models. We gotta wait for a full year to really judge how well/poor the Stinger has been selling.

Great info and insights, @Euljiro1ga!

So far, the 3.3 seems to be selling very well relative to the 2.0 here in the U.S. too. That's probably a good indication that serious car people see great things in the Stinger. The 3.3 taking a bigger share of the initial sales is probably good for KIA too, as it strengthens the halo effect.

While the 3.3 gives the Stinger strong "street" cred (pun intended), I agree with you that sales of the 2.0 will be key to the Stinger's commercial success. Will be interesting to see how sales pan out between the 3.3 and 2.0 as we get into the spring and summer.

 

[stinger1168]

I hate to say it, but it's not a surprise to me that the 2.0 models aren't selling. The exterior styling isn't nearly as nice or aggressive looking as the GT and the engine, while powerful, just isn't the V6. People buying the Stinger want the power...people not interested in that are buying Optimas or Fortes and saving money.

Another reason why I thought KIA USA should have just focused on releasing ONLY the 3.3TT GT RWD/AWD in the USA for the first year and then releasing the 2.0T the second year or so.

 

[BarryLI]

And let's not forget those January sales numbers that came out for the US. For a car that had been out one month, it was keeping pace with the 4 series.

I think the way @BarryLI is gauging it isn't entirely accurate. More and more inventory is coming as Stingers are sold. Same thing happened with the new Mustang shortly after it launched. It's been 3 months since launch and dealers are getting up to speed as is marketing. Plus, it's the dead of winter...not a great time to buy a RWD sports car

Here in the NE it's never a great time to buy a RWD sports car. Was at my dealer the other day, he showed me his computer, they have moved 15 Stingers in February alone, Kia has a promotion in NY where they are giving away 2 season tix to the Yankees or Mets for the most sold and he wants those tix.

 

[jrhodes87]

So with Kia continuing to flood 3.3 inventory what do you guys think they will do with the lease cash offer after tomorrow?

 

[BarryLI]

So with Kia continuing to flood 3.3 inventory what do you guys think they will do with the lease cash offer after tomorrow?

Probably be in the same neighborhood, it's the $ factor that needs tweaking.

 

[jrhodes87]

Probably be in the same neighborhood, it's the $ factor that needs tweaking.

I hope they keep it the same, a dealer is offering me the deal I want on a stinger gt but I can't make the trip to get it untill the weekend.

So we are waiting to see what Kia does Thursday

 

[BarryLI]

I hope they keep it the same, a dealer is offering me the deal I want on a stinger gt but I can't make the trip to get it untill the weekend.

So we are waiting to see what Kia does Thursday

I'd be shocked if anything comes up that would be an impediment to your deal.

 

[jrhodes87]

I'd be shocked if anything comes up that would be an impediment to your deal.

I hope your right

 

[BarryLI]

I hope your right

It's a brand new car, inventory is plentiful and they want to get them on the road. BTW I've had mine for almost 5 weeks and have yet to see another on the road, getting them out there will help to sell them, I'm sure they know it.

 

[jrhodes87]

It's a brand new car, inventory is plentiful and they want to get them on the road. BTW I've had mine for almost 5 weeks and have yet to see another on the road, getting them out there will help to sell them, I'm sure they know it.

Yes this is what I'm thinking, I've seen only 1 here up in chicago. Driven to Knoxville back and twice and didn't see any on the roads.

I just want to help Kia ya know

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Prices are starting to fall. The closest dealership to me has had the same three 2.0 Stingers in stock for a month.

Autotrader shows eleven 2.0 Stingers selling for under $29k within a 500 mile radius of my zip. I wonder if Kia is having trouble moving them. February's sales numbers should be interesting.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/722016305/overview/?aff=dyrtsm&BAC=dyrtsm71515

You're correct! Check out my other post on big discount on GT2!

I think you all are in luck because I just got a great deal on my new GT2! Either I got lucky or KIA just told dealers to start pushing Stingers.

I finally found a RWD GT2 in Micro Blue with white(gray) interior and thought I'd pay a premium, but I worked them down to under invoice! $570m+tax for 48m/10k with only first payment and $205 L.T.R. fees at signing. I did get $196 trade equity for my Optima but thats a total of 1k down for only $600m on an extremely rare Stinger. I was quoted $699m+tax for that same car if I pre-ordered it back in December...

I held off long enough and the time to lease is now!

 

[MarkyMark]

So with Kia continuing to flood 3.3 inventory what do you guys think they will do with the lease cash offer after tomorrow?

This is a GREAT question! It appears that a least 50% of buyers is the US (maybe more) are purchasing GT’s of some variant. Of the local dealers in the PacNW that I’ve been watching in general, the 2.0’s are going to require some incentives. The Premium quickly sticks out, as it has margin over the base model with all its high margin creature comforts...

Thus, a decently aggressive KMF lease program on 2.0’s, and maybe a $1k KMF to Customer cash rebate seems a nice one-two hook to Moe them.

Remember, awareness of this car is still extremely limited. As a result, Kia isn’t going to give away the farm to move a few more incremental sales. Rather, the Stinger needs a full 12 months and full-up dealer inventory before Kia sees awareness really expanding. THEN, it can roll out more aggressive programs and watch them bring in larger volume sales.

If big money were offered right now for that new Whosawhatsit, but I really have no idea what a Whosawhatsit is, what is that to me?... However, give me time to learn about it, see how I could use it, want one, then roll out the Whosawhatsit incentives, now I’m all in.

Overall, watch for Whosawhatsit (AKA Stinger) incentives rising this fall, it until then, minimal.

Okay, I’ll five it a shot:

Stinger Premium:
KMF Bonus Cash: $900
36 mo Program Lease: $399 monthly, $1,999 due at signing, 54% residual. Something in this range...
A non-program lease may see $6500 lease can up from $6500, with .0020 money factor continuing.

Okay, that’s my take on this...

As for the GT’s, perhaps the GT 1 and GT 2 see stronger lease cash and $900 pushase incentive, it that’s about all. Not many base GT’s in the lots so don’t see a lot of movement with that models numbers right now...