New Stinger GT Commercial

[Nasscar]

Yes, that's the one. Spacing the name, I was. (It's still early.)

"Marketing plan". Heh. Who knows that Kia's marketing plans are? It's obvious that Kia economized on advertising the Stinger. My pet theory is that Kia knows that pushing the Stinger harder will not convince anyone who isn't already considering a high performance sedan. So Kia pushed the Stinger into the interested hands of car enthusiasts: and they wrote glowing reports into car buff magazines: and each driver who gets even one car enthusiast publication is going to see Stinger advertising, but more importantly, the reports on the car from other enthusiasts. This has been going on since 2017. And now the Telluride comes out, attracting a lot more attention in the general public than the excitement of car enthusiasts: and there sits the Stinger alongside the Telluride, showing that the SUV is made by people who know how to design cars: the Stinger is proof of that. It's a subtle plan, to have two very different models pointing back at each other.

It will be popular once they make enough of them. Apparently they are only sending over around 500 per month at this stage. It is in the most competitive category of vehicle in Australia at the moment. The small SUV. So it has a lot of competition. Something the Stinger doesn't really have. But like P22Tyler says, if you're going to Kia to buy a SUV, you're probably not going to drive away in a sports sedan.

 

[P22Tyler]

Yes, that's the one. Spacing the name, I was. (It's still early.)

"Marketing plan". Heh. Who knows that Kia's marketing plans are? It's obvious that Kia economized on advertising the Stinger. My pet theory is that Kia knows that pushing the Stinger harder will not convince anyone who isn't already considering a high performance sedan. So Kia pushed the Stinger into the interested hands of car enthusiasts: and they wrote glowing reports into car buff magazines: and each driver who gets even one car enthusiast publication is going to see Stinger advertising, but more importantly, the reports on the car from other enthusiasts. This has been going on since 2017. And now the Telluride comes out, attracting a lot more attention in the general public than the excitement of car enthusiasts: and there sits the Stinger alongside the Telluride, showing that the SUV is made by people who know how to design cars: the Stinger is proof of that. It's a subtle plan, to have two very different models pointing back at each other.

The problem with that is you're making an already narrow demographic, even more narrow. I didn't find the Stinger through an advertisement, I found it because James May drove it on TGT, and then Doug Demuro raved about it on his YouTube channel. So when I went to the annual auto expo instead of just skimming the Kia stuff like usual, I actually went and sat in the Stinger and was blown away.

So yes, you're right about the fact that letting car enthusiasts review it works, but there are people out there that would buy this car but aren't that hardcore and don't watch car reviews and car shows. They should be making more of an effort to reach those people if they want this car to succeed. If your plan is to introduce a halo car of sorts, a car that will change people's minds about your brand, then you should definitely be pushing it harder than they have. Hell, even their Super Bowl release ad was pretty much aimed only at car guys instead of the average car buyer, how many people in the US know who Emerson Fittipaldi is?? Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit, or Fittipaldi's fame enough due, but I wouldn't think it's a large group.

 

[westcoastGT]

I think Kia set out with similar strategies for both the Stinger and Telly , their objective of getting strong media support via a very aggressive targetting of key Auto Journalists , Super Bowl Ad , and grassroots test drive blitzes along with Car Show attendance ( Sema Drift !! ) etc etc etc , both vehicles became media darlings !! BUT the Stinger was too steep a hill for getting mainstream "performance sedan" fans to jump on board , branding is sooooo important ,people in this segment just can fathom being seen driving a "KIa" and thus they drive over priced under performing cars ( relatively , ie most BMW/Audi?Mercs are 4 cyl ) .............the SUV segment is much less demanding of brand imagery , most consumers will support the vehicle with the best features and value hence the crazy success of the Telly ................I think the dealers are Stingers biggest challenge , they vote with their cash flow and inventory asset investment and they have given up on Stinger beacause they dont have anywhere near the turnover or interest .........................Kia Corp made the choice to ride a different horse with ad spending and media /PR investment . I do believe that this Forum and continued brand advancements that Kia is making throughout their portfolio WILL continue to provide support and drive interest in the Stinger but its a tough sell in a world gone crazy for SUVs , Hell look at Lincoln , Caddie ,ETC they all push their SUV ahead of cars now , the SUV is the new Halo vehicle for many brands now .....................Im OK if the Stinger is in rare air , I'm betting Gen 2 Stingers will be E's , look at the wild success E cars are having especially performance capable version ................thats where I think the Stinger will transition ...........who knows , I'm glad to be an early adoptor with the Stinger and enjoy the Mystery of it . ..................and all the good people here !! Merry Christmas !