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The Kia Picanto mini hatchback has been spun into interesting new variants lately. First there was the Runner panel van and now an “adventure” version, the X-Line
It’s hard to believe that back in 2012, the Kia Cerato – a family sedan – was South Korea’s best-selling brand in South Africa. Back then, sedans were still selling like hotcakes in SA. In the last decade much has changed, with SUVs and crossovers all but obliterating the sedan market.
This global trend for bigger, more capable vehicles has seen SUV sales rocket from 35 million in 2010 to over 200 million a decade later. On the USA’s top 40 bestseller list, SUV sales tripled between 2010 to 2019 and crossovers now make up more than 40% of the American market for new cars.
Back in 2012, Kia SA had limited offerings in the SUV/crossover range. You could either buy a Sportage or a Sorento, but nothing in the more affordable crossover and compact crossover range. The Kia Soul, considered to be an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle), was also around but it never really sold in significant volumes.
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While celebrations across the planet were subdued as we moved from pandemic-stricken 2020 into pandemic-stricken 2021, South Korean motoring giant Kia rivalled any international New Year’s event by unmasking its new logo and brand slogan in a world record-breaking fireworks extravaganza in Seoul on 6 January.
As I watched the extraordinary pyrotechnics on YouTube, my first response was, “poor dogs and cats”. If you missed it here it is:
The event was a resounding statement of confidence from the brand, considering that the global motoring industry had very little to celebrate after a year of disastrous sales due to Covid-19.
The award-winning motoring giant, often referred to as “the most improved volume car maker on the planet”, had different ideas. Not only did it show its power through a breathtaking fireworks display, but it used the opportunity to reveal that its “Power to Surprise” tagline would now become “Movement that inspires” in line with Kia’s