I dislike when I need to write this kind of articles, but unfortunately, its true. Kia decided not to launch an Optima Wagon (based on the Kia SportSpace concept).
When the South Korean carmaker unveiled the Kia Sportspace concept in March at the Geneva Motor Show, there was a big exciment on the media, Kia fans, also not only Kia fans with the possibility of this concept car turns into a production model.
The bad news arrived from the USA arm of Kia where Orth Hendricks, Kia Motors America (KMA) vice president of product planning told to Auto Guide during the New York AutoShow, “We looked at it. It’s a beautiful car and obviously it’s a big deal in Europe mainly because they love estates over there.” he said.
“However, the company determined the Kia Sportspace concept would overlap with the Sorento and wouldn’t attract enough buyers to justify the production costs.” he added.
Ok so, today is a bad day, don’t you think? 🙁
Comments
4 commentsHi Kia lover, well the thing is, with the current optima prices on my hand, a future Optima wagon well equipped and with 150 hp probably cost 35.000€, while for the same price you have a Sorento. Its sad, but is what the people wants, SUVs.
As an estate, it isn't so much a loss as even the Europeans are moving from wagons to small CUVs, but Kia needs to make the front end of the Optima more like that of the Sportspace for its MCE (as well as the rear/taillights); and further down the road, the basic greenhouse shape for the Sportspace should be used for the next gen Sorento (just giving it a bit more glass as needed for a CUV).
Conflicting report from Drive.au dated the 2nd stating that the Sportspace has been greenlit for Europe and that Kia Australia is pondering it.
That's a shame. The SportSpace was the first Kia that ever got me excited. I guess my next vehicle won't be a Kia afterall.