Kia Ireland are aiming to get into the top ten of Irish market car brands next year, writes Brian Byrne, with the help of the new generation Rio, which will be in dealer showrooms before the end of the month.
Other new models next year will include the Optima D segment car, and a new generation cee'd which will be available from the end of next summer. A new Picanto was rolled out here some months ago.
At a media event this weekend, Kia Ireland boss James Brooks said the substantially more popular engine in the new Rio will be the 1.25 petrol, a reverse of the situation of the outgoing car which sold with mostly diesel powertrains.
He noted that the supermini segment in Ireland is predominantly petrol even though cars in larger segments are now mostly diesels. The diesel premium at the price point and the generally lower mileages driven by supermini owners are the main factors.
The new Rio has an entry price of €15,295 for the LX version, but the most popular seller is expected to be the EX petrol at €16,495. A 1.4 diesel is available.
This is more expensive than the outgoing car, but Kia is counting on the very high level of specification against its main competitors to attract strong conquest sales. The new car is also larger, more stylish, and offers a much better perceived quality.
The Irish distributor is expecting to sell 1,000 new Rios next year, even if the market doesn't grow.
