Stinger hype died down in Korea?

[Euljiro1ga]

I want to share some observations about the Stinger here in Korea.

When I was shopping for a car back in October/November last year, practically every Kia showroom in Seoul has a Stinger on display. Even small showrooms with typically only 2-3 cars, one is always a Stinger.

Even after I got my Stinger, I still like to check out the Kia showrooms everytime I walk/drive pass one. I am sure large showrooms still have a Stinger on display, but at smaller ones, no more Stingers!

Obviously, the primary reason is that Kia has since introduced a few new models, the new Ray (smaller but also boxy version of the Soul) and the new K3 (I think it's the Forte elsewhere).

Considering the Stinger has been on display at showrooms since March 2017 or so, do you think it's time Kia take out the Stingers to make room for other newer models? - or Kia should keep the Stingers in showrooms since it's their "halo" car?

I would love to hear others' opinions on this.

Those in Korea, do you also notice the lack of Stingers at showrooms?

 

[Robs]

Singapore just had one put into the showroom end January 2018, after the 'official' launch. Since then stocks are trickling in and the test-drive unit seems to be parked most of the time. Just got my 2.0L last week, which was already 1 of 5 Jan production pre-orders. Heard of a couple more delivering next March, one of which is in Deep Chroma Blue.

 

[voon]

Maybe all of the first batch are sold But to be expected: I doubt Kia is generally switching to a car maker, that wants to consistently poach in the woods of the germans etc. The stinger was a technology carrier, a car to show the world "We can do it, too, if we want", but Kia will stay the bread & butter car seller for the moment. I think it's more of a "look at us more" call, to establish the brand better (even thought they already sell quite well) in competition against Madzda & Co for normal, everyday cars.

 

[AV8R]

Actually I’m quite surprised the stinger has not sold more in Australia. My theory is the following;

• Poor marketing both press and tv
• Inability to supply demand. Hence long wait times.
• Oversupply of 2.0L models and dealers can’t sell them
• Undersupply of GT 3.3L models and no AWD
• Price range is beyond the average buyer
• Kia branding still has a bad name in Australia...ie it’s still a Kia
• Dealers Stinger knowledge poor
• Price a little too high, under $60000 AUD driveaway would have been better for 3.3L top spec
• Exhaust sound doesn’t match cars performance and should not be an aftermarket accessory.

I have yet to see one on the road in Perth, even during the Australian Open and the Hopman Cup tennis which was held in Perth I failed to see a decent add on tv or in press. It’s good though for me as it makes my car unique.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

I have yet to see one on the road in Perth, even during the Australian Open tennis which was held in Perth I failed to see a decent add on tv or in press. It’s good though for me as it makes my car unique.

A bit out of context, sorry, but I thought the Australian open is held in Melbourne?

 

[mldavis2]

@AV8R has some good points, although it remains to be seen how those factor in with U.S. buyers.

I have seen very few ads since the Super Bowl (U.S. football) other than some spots on Discovery Channel during their "Fast and Loud" series. Nothing on major network TV. Almost all advertising is by word of mouth, or people stumbling into a Kia showroom looking for something else. Exclusivity is fantastic, parts availability perhaps not so great.

I think demand in the U.S. is OK at the GT2 (top) end except for buyers who consider color options more important than the car itself (no offense.) GT1's are rather scarce and I had to bail on my GT1 order and move to a GT2 which has some things I didn't want (see my posts elsewhere on that.) Too many dealers are trying to scalp buyers above MSRP prices, and most savvy car buyers of performance cars know better than to fall for that. Kia needs to be aware of the Genesis' separate showrooms and upscale buyers.

With cheap fuel in the U.S. and the type of ads (performance oriented only) for the Stinger, I think the 2.0L's will be slow moving. We do have plenty of AWD models and Canada seems to have only AWD available.

Price is high, but very attractive to up-scale buyers when comparing the Stinger 3.3TT to other cars with similar specs. It remains to be seen how "car-conscience" the public is and how carefully they monitor professional reviews and opinions, compared to their brand identity fetishes. Kia's are great cars, well built, excellent values, just not recognized for performance. It remains to be seen how the Stinger changes these perceptions over time. Some biases never change as evidenced by the still-present "foreign car superiority" mentality of many buyers of my generation.

And I concur with the lack of dealer knowledge for the most part. Many of the salesmen are used to pushing little Kia Souls and Forte's and are not very knowledgeable of either the Stinger or potential Stinger buyers which are a whole new ballgame for them. On the other hand, too many car salesmen come and go through a revolving door, selling vacuum cleaners one month and cars the next. Many are too profit-oriented to bother learning their product and even more importantly with the Stinger, what the competition offers.

I have to defer on agreement with the exhaust sound. For performance and mod fanatics, you need loud pipes -- I get it. But the car is intended as a GT open road car and many of us, while performance conscious, nevertheless do use the car for long trips and could never tolerate the constant drone of exhaust noise competing with the HK radio.

Obviously, I'm killing time here, hoping my car comes in a day early (due tomorrow on March 6).

 

[AV8R]

A bit out of context, sorry, but I thought the Australian open is held in Melbourne?

sorry meant Hopman cup, correction made.

 

[AV8R]

@AV8R has some good points, although it remains to be seen how those factor in with U.S. buyers.

I have seen very few ads since the Super Bowl (U.S. football) other than some spots on Discovery Channel during their "Fast and Loud" series. Nothing on major network TV. Almost all advertising is by word of mouth, or people stumbling into a Kia showroom looking for something else. Exclusivity is fantastic, parts availability perhaps not so great.

I think demand in the U.S. is OK at the GT2 (top) end except for buyers who consider color options more important than the car itself (no offense.) GT1's are rather scarce and I had to bail on my GT1 order and move to a GT2 which has some things I didn't want (see my posts elsewhere on that.) Too many dealers are trying to scalp buyers above MSRP prices, and most savvy car buyers of performance cars know better than to fall for that. Kia needs to be aware of the Genesis' separate showrooms and upscale buyers.

With cheap fuel in the U.S. and the type of ads (performance oriented only) for the Stinger, I think the 2.0L's will be slow moving. We do have plenty of AWD models and Canada seems to have only AWD available.

Price is high, but very attractive to up-scale buyers when comparing the Stinger 3.3TT to other cars with similar specs. It remains to be seen how "car-conscience" the public is and how carefully they monitor professional reviews and opinions, compared to their brand identity fetishes. Kia's are great cars, well built, excellent values, just not recognized for performance. It remains to be seen how the Stinger changes these perceptions over time. Some biases never change as evidenced by the still-present "foreign car superiority" mentality of many buyers of my generation.

And I concur with the lack of dealer knowledge for the most part. Many of the salesmen are used to pushing little Kia Souls and Forte's and are not very knowledgeable of either the Stinger or potential Stinger buyers which are a whole new ballgame for them. On the other hand, too many car salesmen come and go through a revolving door, selling vacuum cleaners one month and cars the next. Many are too profit-oriented to bother learning their product and even more importantly with the Stinger, what the competition offers.

I have to defer on agreement with the exhaust sound. For performance and mod fanatics, you need loud pipes -- I get it. But the car is intended as a GT open road car and many of us, while performance conscious, nevertheless do use the car for long trips and could never tolerate the constant drone of exhaust noise competing with the HK radio.

Obviously, I'm killing time here, hoping my car comes in a day early (due tomorrow on March 6).

Great point of perspective you should be a car review writer! I agree with what you say but each country is different and was looking at the Australian perspective. Guys here want fast cars to sound fast hence the exhaust. We lost our holden commodore so they are viewing the Stinger as a replacement. When you say Kia in Oz people immediately have a view that the car is rubbish. Branding is the driving force in sales. The good buyer who does the research knows differently and they will buy it.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

sorry meant Hopman cup, correction made.

ah, got it. thanks.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I want to share some observations about the Stinger here in Korea.

When I was shopping for a car back in October/November last year, practically every Kia showroom in Seoul has a Stinger on display. Even small showrooms with typically only 2-3 cars, one is always a Stinger.

Even after I got my Stinger, I still like to check out the Kia showrooms everytime I walk/drive pass one. I am sure large showrooms still have a Stinger on display, but at smaller ones, no more Stingers!

Obviously, the primary reason is that Kia has since introduced a few new models, the new Ray (smaller but also boxy version of the Soul) and the new K3 (I think it's the Forte elsewhere).

Considering the Stinger has been on display at showrooms since March 2017 or so, do you think it's time Kia take out the Stingers to make room for other newer models? - or Kia should keep the Stingers in showrooms since it's their "halo" car?

I would love to hear others' opinions on this.

Those in Korea, do you also notice the lack of Stingers at showrooms?

I think any Kia dealer, no matter where it's located, should keep their halo car where people can see it.

 

[Rufus]

"With cheap fuel in the U.S. and the type of ads (performance oriented only) for the Stinger, I think the 2.0L's will be slow moving."
Agreed @mldavis2 -- The 2.0 Would sell so much better if Kia marketed that model to families who want a bit of legitimate sportiness with their family car. I can think of 1 family right off the top of my head

 

[mldavis2]

The Stinger is a great car and value at the bottom trim level. It simply isn't being marketed at that level -- yet.

 

[xot1]

The hype moves on whenever a new car is released.
Having Stingers in display in all dealerships may be cost too much considering they do not sell as many as, say Morning or Sorentos.
They will reappear if they do changes for the 20MY (wow already 2020...).