New stinger website America

[David]

http://www.explorekiastinger.com/la..._h-03_17-stinger_cta1&customerID=900019004645

Interesting how the footnote states that it wil arrive at dealers in late 2017

 

[hej]

http://www.explorekiastinger.com/la..._h-03_17-stinger_cta1&customerID=900019004645

Interesting how the footnote states that it wil arrive at dealers in late 2017

We're (I'm?) generally expecting to show up October~November'ish.

 

[eljay]

I saw yestereday on a dealer website (can't remember which one) that they will be in their showroom in November.

 

[CTBumpkin]

I talked to a Sales Manager last week, who said they're being told January.

 

[David]

This might as well be a 2019 model. I can't understand why it would take them an extra 7-8 months to bring it to the US, when it's being sold in Korea right now!

 

[CTBumpkin]

He also said that, with another Kia new release (I forget which model), they had one in the showroom for 3 months before they could sell it because MSRP had not been established.

 

[David]

He also said that, with another Kia new release (I forget which model), they had one in the showroom for 3 months before they could sell it because MSRP had not been established.

Ooooooo that sounds exciting… new Kia model?

 

[eljay]

Last week a rep from Kia phoned me after I emailed customer service with a question about options. He said they haven't finalized features/options for the U.S., but were working on it. He couldn't say an actual date that they go into production, and didn't know where they would be built for the U.S. (S. Korea, Georgia, Mexico?), but I got the impression that the 2018 would be in showrooms before the end of this year. He also said he was submitting my question to the design team that is working on U.S. specs; I assumed he was just trying to make me feel involved, not that I'd have any real effect on the final product, haha. But does anyone know how long it takes to get into production once the specs and options are final?

 

[David]

Last week a rep from Kia phoned me after I emailed customer service with a question about options. He said they haven't finalized features/options for the U.S., but were working on it. He couldn't say an actual date that they go into production, and didn't know where they would be built for the U.S. (S. Korea, Georgia, Mexico?), but I got the impression that the 2018 would be in showrooms before the end of this year. He also said he was submitting my question to the design team that is working on U.S. specs; I assumed he was just trying to make me feel involved, not that I'd have any real effect on the final product, haha. But does anyone know how long it takes to get into production once the specs and options are final?

Again, what I don't get is how it can take an extra 7 months for it to get to the US? I get that they are tuning the exhaust, probably working on regulatory stuff, etc. but there are so many alternatives to the Stinger, I feel like the hype will overshadow the actual product if they're gonna release it in Jan.

 

[CTBumpkin]

Ooooooo that sounds exciting… new Kia model?

No. I got the impression it was a while ago. Maybe the Niro.

 

[CTBumpkin]

Again, what I don't get is how it can take an extra 7 months for it to get to the US? I get that they are tuning the exhaust, probably working on regulatory stuff, etc. but there are so many alternatives to the Stinger, I feel like the hype will overshadow the actual product if they're gonna release it in Jan.

Plus, who wants to take delivery of their new dream car in the dead of winter? (for those of us in the North)

 

[Skyguy]

Again, what I don't get is how it can take an extra 7 months for it to get to the US? I get that they are tuning the exhaust, probably working on regulatory stuff, etc. but there are so many alternatives to the Stinger, I feel like the hype will overshadow the actual product if they're gonna release it in Jan.

The American market is not high priority for Kia.....

 

[jburns]

The American market is not high priority for Kia.....

Sure it is. We like it that you guys get to work out the kinks and we end up with a perfect car.

 

[David]

Got'em

 

[unintelligible]

The American market is not high priority for Kia.....

Any source for this? Numbers on Kia's website seem to indicate otherwise.

Retail Sales by Country, 2016

USA: 647,598
APAC: 78,487

Edit: figures added, source: http://pr.kia.com/en/company/ir/ir-library/sales-results.do

 

[Skyguy]

Any source for this? Numbers on Kia's website seem to indicate otherwise.

Retail Sales by Country, 2016

USA: 647,598
APAC: 78,487

Edit: figures added, source: http://pr.kia.com/en/company/ir/ir-library/sales-results.do

Well Kia know that yanks aren't passionate car lovers, so they know the Stinger will be lost on them......

 

[Frozzem]

Well lets take this "offensive" discussion about which market the target is, away.

Generally speaking they target the likes of 4er BMW and Audi A4 S-line, A5.

Q: Who are the target customers?

A: Young professional males in their 30s and 40s who have their own style and aim for adventure.

Q: Which are the rival car models in the market?

A: BMW 4 Series Grand Coupe and Audi A5. In overseas markets, we are targeting the near-luxury segment.

The American market is always important since its a big ass country. Same with Europe since they are the centre of the luxus class aka. Audi, BMW, Mercedes.

Also the question is, is the target market (business males in their 30s / 40s, near luxus segment) the real market? Or will people buy it as a budget car? Me for example, im 20 (buying the car with 21), i'll buy it since its a pretty cheap sedan here. I live in Germany, meaning having an audi oder bmw is very common and some will go for it even if it costs 20k more to buy.
Simply cause its not a kia. So the "target" does not work for a lot of people since most business males if they want an expensive car here, buy an Audi A5 / S5+ / BMW 5er+ / Mercedes C / E / S Class / Tesla S.

 

[Jenny Wang]

Well Kia know that yanks aren't passionate car lovers, so they know the Stinger will be lost on them......

WUT?

 

[Rainbowman]

The American market is not high priority for Kia.....

Skyguy, I beg to differ with you. The American market is super important to all automobile manufacturers, bar none. With Audi releasing the A5 Sportback, BMW's selling like crazy, Jaguar adding a 380HP XE all very shortly, KIA better get with the program and bring the stinger to market ASAP, lest they lose sales and momentum in the marketplace to these other fine vehicles.

 

[Skyguy]

Yea, nah Rainbowman. I totally disagree. The US market is insignificant. They always think they are important, but their roads and cars don't do corners and they can't appreciate technology. After all, who came up with the 'there's no replacement for displacement'...... Ya'll hear me now?