Late last week, Kia Motors launched its all-new 2009 Forte sedan in the Korean market. This new model replaces the Cerato in the domestic market and will replace the Spectra in the U.S. market when it reaches our shores in mid 2009.
Press release
Here at Summit Place Kia, we want you to know the most current information about all the new Kia models – including those slated to reach the United States sometime next year.
250,000 sales by 2010
Kia Motors Corp., South Korea’s No. 2 carmaker, unveiled its new Forte compact sedan Thursday, hoping that the fuel-efficient car will help boost sales amid higher fuel prices.
Korean market Forte will have a choice of 1.6 liter engines
The new model, which goes on sale next week, is the latest entrant to the country’s 1.6-liter vehicle segment and marks the automaker’s newest model after another 1.6-liter version of Cerato was released in November, 2003.
The Forte, equipped with a gasoline or diesel engine, will compete with the Avante (Elantra in the U.S.) by Hyundai Motor Co. the SM3 by Renault Samsung Motors Co. and the Lacetti (Suzuki Forenza/Reno) by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co.
The new Kia model generates 124 horsepower, and the company plans to add a 2-liter engine later. The price for the Forte ranges from 11.9 million won (US$11,300) to 19.6 million won, depending on accessories and engine types, it said.
The automaker, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co., said it aims to sell 50,000 units domestically and 170,000 units overseas next year. For this year, Kia Motors targets the sale of 30,000 units. Annual sales for the model will rise to 250,000 annually from 2010, it said.
Kia Motors revamped its lineup to boost sales by redesigning its minicar Morning (the Picanto in Europe), mid-sized sedan Lotze (Optima in the U.S.) and new Mohave (Borrego in the U.S.) sport-utility vehicle. It also plans to add a small crossover vehicle, known as Soul, later this year (2009 in U.S.).
Kia Motors last month raised its domestic sales target to 364,000 units this year from 327,000, fueled by strong sales of its Morning mini-car.
Additional Features
In addition to its improved styling, the Forte features an optional navigation system, push-button start/stop with smart key and stability control.
Here in North America, the new model will feature a version of the 2.0 liter CVVT engine found in the Spectra sedan.
Along with the engine specifications, Kia also released the dimensions of the new sedan which are 4530mm (178.35 inches) in length and 1775mm (69.88 inches) in width. These specs represent an increase of 1 inch in length and 2.56 inches in width over the current Spectra.
Name will not change in U.S.
Although the new model will carry the name “Forte” in the Korean domestic market, there are no plans to bring the name over to the North American market.
Instead, the export name will remain “Spectra” here as well as “Cerato” in other markets, according to sources at Kia.
