Kia Launching New Models to Grow in Europe

KiaKiaRepublic of Korea, 1944 > present52 models
1724 photos
4 videos
is going to be launching new cars in Europe in order to achieve its sales goal of 400,000 cars annually by 2013. The new models will be based on Kia's new design language that began with the second generation SportageKia Sportage FWDRepublic of Korea, 2011 > present2 photos
in 2010. Among the new cars will be a new MPV with five- and seven-seat configurations that will go on sale next year. The new MPV will replace the CarensKia Carens Gen.1Republic of Korea, 1999 > 20062 versions
15 photos
and CarnivalKia CarnivalRepublic of Korea, 2006 > present3 versions
3 photos
in the Kia Europe lineup. 

Kia will have the next generation Cee'dKia cee'dRepublic of Korea, 2006 > present2 series
188 versions
269 photos
1 video
in European showrooms in May and will debut at wagon version in September. It will also show the new Procee'd three-door at the Paris Auto Show at the end of September. 

There are big expectations for the new Cee'd, which saw a 21.6% drop in sales last year selling just 73,716 cars. Kia is hoping the new product and seven-year warranty will improve sales. 

Newer models like the PicantoKia Picanto Gen.2Republic of Korea, 2011 > present49 versions
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, RioKia Rio Gen.3Republic of Korea, 2012 > present80 versions
95 photos
and Sportage have also been bringing younger buyers to Kia. Its global average buyer is now 52 years old, down from 56 in 2010, and the average European buyer is 49. 

Kia had a 10.7% rise in sales in Europe in 2011 and has a 2.7% market share in Europe. Its goal is to reach a 3.1% market share by 2013, which would mean annual sales of 400,000 cars. 

Globally, Kia has been growing with a 19% sales increase last year to 2.5 million cars. It anticipates selling 2.7 million cars globally in 2012. 

Kia has recently promoted Paul Philpott as the CEO of its UK and Ireland branch. He is the first non-Korean CEO of a European branch for Kia. Philpott is hoping to double UK sales to 100,000 annual units in five years. 

Source: Automotive News