Kia Motors: Why It Is Eyeing India!
Cyrus Dhabhar
1 min read
Nov 14, 2016, 05:30 PM
Key Highlights
- Kia has some good looking cars in its line-up
- Kia has a large presence in South Korean, American and European markets
- Kia is yet to announce the timeline for its entry in India
A few months ago we broke the exclusive news about how Kia Motors is in its final stages of planning and execution of its India plans. Although there has not been much official development on that front just yet, we did get a chance to experience some of what Kia has to offer very recently. And while we explored what the Kia brand is all about, here is why we think Kia is strongly eyeing the Indian market and why a brand like Kia would actually work in India.
As a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Corporation, Kia is based in Seoul, South Korea and has a very large presence in the American and European markets apart from having almost 25 per cent market share in South Korean markets. Now, the brand itself in terms of being an automaker is quite young but only recently has it come into the limelight with some very good looking cars that are still affordable and offer great tech.
In fact, in the last 5-6 years, the Kia brand has completely transformed itself from a ‘cheap car manufacturer’ to an ‘affordable car manufacturer’. That is no easy task of course and considering how many design awards the brand has won under lead designer Peter Schreyer, it seems to be going in the right direction.
The Kia Picanto Will Take On The Likes Of The Hyundai Grand i10
If any car company does want to make its presence felt, it needs to have a large enough portfolio and Kia offers cars right across the price range. From the small and compact Picanto that really started to get the ball rolling for Kia to the larger newer products like the Rio, Sportage and the Sorento, Kia Motors is pretty well covered.
And this spread of cars is exactly why a company like Kia is eyeing India keenly. For example, the two segments that are booming in India today are the SUV segments across most price points and the premium hatchback segment. Kia has the perfect fit when it comes to the premium hatchback segment with the new Kia Rio that was recently unveiled at the 2016 Paris Auto Show. Although technically a Hyundai i20 underneath, the European design looks a lot cleaner and simpler which could attract quite a few buyers.
The Kia Sportage SUV Will Pave The Path For SUVs in New Segments
Kia’s SUV portfolio is also quite extensive in most markets. The Kia Sportage is one of the most popular compact SUVs in markets like the United States and Europe (apart from the domestic South Korean Markets) and the Soul (although not really an SUV) is also a very iconic product for the Korean car maker.
Considering the fact that Hyundai and Kia both share research and development facilities along with platforms for all its cars, Kia could easily develop great looking cars for compact SUV segment in India. This could be both the sub 4-metre SUV to go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and another SUV which could be based on the Hyundai Creta platform. This will also means great pricing since Kia itself hasn’t had to spend money to design and develop a new Indian spec model or platform in particular.
It only makes sense for a brand like Kia with no real history and heritage to follow up on to make its Indian debut with a fresh approach. Although in almost every market around the world, Kia is seen as a much cheaper alternative to the Hyundai cars, in India, Kia could actually price at a higher point and offer a lot more tech and features as a part of standard equipment in order to break into the India segment. In fact, if Kia adopts a top down approach to its launch strategy in India, it could easily pave the way for a whole bunch of future products like a small hatchback the size of the Grand i10, a sedan which goes up against the likes of the Honda City and maybe even a segment lower than the Grand i10 where currently the Hyundai Eon doesn’t really seem to be doing much due to competition from the liked of the Renault Kwid.
Although Kia’s official stance is very reserved in terms of timelines for its India factory and product lineup, we shall get you all the up to date news, opinions and reviews about the brand and its grand entry.
As a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Corporation, Kia is based in Seoul, South Korea and has a very large presence in the American and European markets apart from having almost 25 per cent market share in South Korean markets. Now, the brand itself in terms of being an automaker is quite young but only recently has it come into the limelight with some very good looking cars that are still affordable and offer great tech.
In fact, in the last 5-6 years, the Kia brand has completely transformed itself from a ‘cheap car manufacturer’ to an ‘affordable car manufacturer’. That is no easy task of course and considering how many design awards the brand has won under lead designer Peter Schreyer, it seems to be going in the right direction.
If any car company does want to make its presence felt, it needs to have a large enough portfolio and Kia offers cars right across the price range. From the small and compact Picanto that really started to get the ball rolling for Kia to the larger newer products like the Rio, Sportage and the Sorento, Kia Motors is pretty well covered.
And this spread of cars is exactly why a company like Kia is eyeing India keenly. For example, the two segments that are booming in India today are the SUV segments across most price points and the premium hatchback segment. Kia has the perfect fit when it comes to the premium hatchback segment with the new Kia Rio that was recently unveiled at the 2016 Paris Auto Show. Although technically a Hyundai i20 underneath, the European design looks a lot cleaner and simpler which could attract quite a few buyers.
Kia’s SUV portfolio is also quite extensive in most markets. The Kia Sportage is one of the most popular compact SUVs in markets like the United States and Europe (apart from the domestic South Korean Markets) and the Soul (although not really an SUV) is also a very iconic product for the Korean car maker.
Considering the fact that Hyundai and Kia both share research and development facilities along with platforms for all its cars, Kia could easily develop great looking cars for compact SUV segment in India. This could be both the sub 4-metre SUV to go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and another SUV which could be based on the Hyundai Creta platform. This will also means great pricing since Kia itself hasn’t had to spend money to design and develop a new Indian spec model or platform in particular.
It only makes sense for a brand like Kia with no real history and heritage to follow up on to make its Indian debut with a fresh approach. Although in almost every market around the world, Kia is seen as a much cheaper alternative to the Hyundai cars, in India, Kia could actually price at a higher point and offer a lot more tech and features as a part of standard equipment in order to break into the India segment. In fact, if Kia adopts a top down approach to its launch strategy in India, it could easily pave the way for a whole bunch of future products like a small hatchback the size of the Grand i10, a sedan which goes up against the likes of the Honda City and maybe even a segment lower than the Grand i10 where currently the Hyundai Eon doesn’t really seem to be doing much due to competition from the liked of the Renault Kwid.
Although Kia’s official stance is very reserved in terms of timelines for its India factory and product lineup, we shall get you all the up to date news, opinions and reviews about the brand and its grand entry.
Related News
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
car&bike Team | May 11, 2026Ather Rizta Sales Cross 3 Lakh Unit MilestoneAther's Rizta reached 2 lakh units in sales in December 2025 and has since added another 1 lakh units in just six months.2 mins read
car&bike Team | May 11, 2026Lexus LM 350h Is First Passenger Vehicle In India To Receive WLTP CertificationThe Lexus LM 350h has become the first vehicle in India to receive WLTP certification ahead of the norms becoming mandatory from April 1, 2027.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 11, 20262026 Skoda Kodiaq Gains ADAS: Prices Start At Rs 36.99 LakhOffered in three variants, prices for the 2026 Kodiaq top out at Rs 46.99 lakh (ex-showroom).2 mins read
car&bike Team | May 11, 2026Toyota To Build New Car Plant In Maharashtra With Capacity Of 1 Lakh Vehicles A YearThis will be the third Toyota plant in India and first time that the Japanese carmaker will manufacture products outside Karnataka.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | May 10, 2026Final Tesla Model S, Model X Roll Out Of Fremont FactoryTesla is officially closing the book on its flagship Model S sedan and Model X SUV after over a decade of sales.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | May 10, 20261065 bhp Lamborghini Fenomeno Roadster Debuts As Brand’s Most Powerful Open-Top SupercarThe open-top sibling to the 2025 Fenomeno Coupe will be limited to just 15 units.2 mins read
Preetam Bora | May 11, 20262026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125 Review: What’s Good, What’s Not?The new Suzuki Burgman Street 125 gets refreshed design, minor but meaningful tweaks to the engine, a stiffened chassis, new features and more. But is it worth recommending? Read on, to find out.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | May 11, 2026Audi SQ8 Review: The Performance SUV That Actually Makes SenseThe Audi SQ8 has the performance of a V8 seamlessly combined with the everyday luxury and comfort, making it one of the most complete performance SUVs on sale in India today.5 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | May 3, 2026River Indie Gen 3 Long Term Report: 1 Month, 400 km AfterAfter a month and 400 km, the River Indie impresses with its utility-first approach, smooth ride and standout design, despite a few everyday usability compromises.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | May 2, 2026Volkswagen Taigun Facelift Review: Still The Driver’s SUV, But Improved!The updated Volkswagen Taigun gets a new 8-speed automatic, a refreshed design, and added features. But does it still deliver the best driving experience in the C-SUV segment?5 mins read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Apr 29, 2026Toyota Innova Hycross Vs Mahindra XEV 9S: Choosing The Right Three Row Family MoverIn a battle of three-row cars the electric Mahindra XEV 9S takes on the Toyota Innova Hycross. Which one ticks more boxes?1 min read