When Kia launched K900 flagship luxury sedan at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Kia’s Vice President Lee Hyoung-keun said great hopes for the car into the U.S-market.
Unfortunately, since its was released in March the car sales has been struggling. During the first four months on the market, only 200 Kia K900s per month were sold.
In July and August, sales dropped further to 100 to 130 a month before plummeting to 50 to 60 in September and October. The sluggish sales are partly due to weak brand image compared to it rivals in the U.S. market such as Mercedes-Benz’s S Class, Audi’s A8, BMW’s 7 series, and the Jaguar XJ.
The K900 is luxurious enough, well equipped and high-ended sedan but it lacks the clout to impress rich customers. Now Kia tried to turn the tables by hiring NBA star LeBron James to promote the sedan.
Alongside, recently Kia launched in the domestic market a new version of the K9 with the same 5.0-liter V8 engine used in US-spec model, and also tried to updated the flaghsip to achieve a more identifying design
Comments
10 commentsMucho más barato inlcusive que todos sus rivales directos y hermano Hyundai.
No Genesis sedan equivalent to set the plate (at least not yet), no AWD (until next generation) and no V6 model yet (don't know what the hold-up is on that one).
The hold up on the AWD for the 8 cyl Genesis, if I recall correctly, has to do with the increased weight and synchronizing the transmission gearing to work with the AWD system. If they can resolve those challenges without compromising the cars excellent ride and handling , maybe we might see an 8cyl AWD model by Spring of '15.
If Kia's marketing of the K900 is working so well(?) then explain why this car is not selling?
Most of the reviews I've read on it have been of the "yes, but" variety. Yes, it's got standard leather, but the quality of the leather falls short when compared to Lexus or BMW. Yes, it rides nice, BUT the handling leaves something to be desired. Yes, the workmanship is decent BUT its competitors have excellent fit and finish...I can do this all day.
Wow! Such flatulence and insolence based on a question that I asked you was to explain why Kia's luxury car, the K900, is failing to make any headway in the premium U.S. car market. I will excuse you if you don't know the answer because aside from attacking and vilifying me, you failed to answer the question. However, had you read my "ramblings" you would have seen my recommendations (not that you or Kia would care) of how Kia could possibly turn things around for this failing product.
What an amusing boy you are, full of rambling nonsense, dishonesty, ignorance, & arrogance. Amusing indeed.
Your belligerence and belittling words of ugliness highlight an under current of intense anger and bitterness. Are you a failed product manager whose career careened out of control and ended up in the toilet? Is that why you've targeted my comments for attack? There is always a ring of irony when someone throws stones. It seems that rather than discuss the K900 you want to project your frustrations of failure. Well they are yours not mine.
It is quite a laughter inducing experience to deal with an ignorant & naive child with a one-track mind who blindly thinks that the lack of success of a product automatically means 'proof of failure' in 'marketing' employed for that product...
J.R. you don't know me and I don't know you but I can see that you have very strong feelings about this car? and Kia? You seem so consumed with anger and hostility. Perhaps you are suffering from hurt feelings? I have never criticized you or attacked any of what you posted so why do you insist on attacking me?