The E Badge is intended for the premium RWD vehicles

[Kia Stinger]

If I'm understanding this article, it said other rear wheel drive Kia models will get the E badge in South Korea. At least in the top trim. I'm thinking the non-GT Stinger won't be getting it. The next K900, due in 2018, will be using it - along with a new name. It's kind of like what Cadillac does with its premium models: Platinum. But Cadillac doesn't change the badge. Or Buick with its new Avenir premium line.

https://www.motor1.com/news/142768/kia-new-premium-trim/

 

[hej]

Am I the only one that feels like there's a small contradiction between Kia saying they want customers to stop being embarrassed of the brand, but this premium line they're creating is going to be Korea only?

 

[Jay M]

You are not the only one. Now if they will just make it a consistent strategy around the world it would make more sense.

 

[ballistic]

i don't believe they don't want a subbrand like genesis. i think they're just warming us up for something in the future.

 

[Bamm1]

We don't want our home market customers, who buy our most expensive models, to feel "disrespected". So we will go ahead and change the badge for them. Then we will wait for it to stop happening to the ROW customers (who get the standard badge across the board) and then maybe we will switch back in our home market once it does. Is that the plan?

 

[app_master]

Am I the only one that feels like there's a small contradiction between Kia saying they want customers to stop being embarrassed of the brand, but this premium line they're creating is going to be Korea only?

Not alone. It certainly is an intriguing strategy. It really is an international market these days and they may be a bit naive to think this "badge knowledge" looking at it both ways too (local and/or international), would be an unknown. Maybe it would be for most buyers, but not us I suppose.

The Stinger will lift the brand image, either way.