Kia Admits Stinger Successor Is In Doubt As Sales Didn’t Live Up To Expectations

[cawimmer430]

Kia Admits Stinger Successor Is In Doubt As Sales Didn't Live Up To Expectations

Kia says it is still yet to decide if it will launch a successor to its Stinger sports saloon.

While speaking with Car Advice at the Frankfurt Motor Show, vice president and senior chief designer of Kia's styling studio in Germany, Gregory Guillaume, admitted that the Stinger hasn't been selling in the numbers the company had hoped for.

"We never really expected to do massive volumes," Guillaume said. "It was a halo car. We did want to be successful at least in America, the market where we thought there is a chance that it works. We had very high expectations for that market and it's very difficult to start in such segments.



"The beginning of my career was at Audi. I remember... it took three generations of the A8 (limousine) to be seen on eye level to a (BMW) 7 Series or (Mercedes) S-Class. You have to persevere. If you're entering these segments (whether) it's premium or image vehicles, you have to give yourself a bit of time," he explained.

Guillaume and his design team played a pivotal role in bringing the Stinger to life and admit that customers are still coming to terms with paying a premium price for a Kia sedan.

"We have to see if Stinger continues – first of all if it will be continuing, which I really hope so – and if we think this is the format to continue in the future," he said, before going on to suggest that if the Stinger does live on, it could be electrified.

"As you know there's a lot going on with electrification, so it could be that Stinger becomes something else. I don't know. We're not there yet. We've got a bit of time."


Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2019/09/kia-admits-stinger-successor-is-in-doubt-as-sales-didnt-live-up-to-expectations/

[Eye of the Tiger]

I can't afford no Stingers, but I'd love to buy a cheap, used Stinger.

[giant_mtb]

I've seen a few on the road. Quite striking.

[r0tor]

Would have been nice to see if they could CVS fully developed it with a 2nd gen

[12,000 RPM]

Would have been nice to see if they could CVS fully developed it with a 2nd gen

To what end?

Nobody wants to spend $40-50K on a Kia that doesn't seat 7.

[cawimmer430]

Mitsubishi has turned the Eclipse into an SUV.

Maybe the next Kia Stinger will be a 7-seater SUV? 

[NomisR]

So basically, everyone deep down wants a minivan but doesn't want to admit to wanting to have one.. so they look to other alternatives to minivans that's not called a minivan..

[12,000 RPM]

So basically, everyone deep down wants a minivan but doesn't want to admit to wanting to have one.. so they look to other alternatives to minivans that's not called a minivan..

No, most people don't want or even need minivans. The only top 10 selling 3 row vehicle is the Highlander, which, like all other 3 row crossovers, is significantly smaller than most minivans. Everything else in the top 10 is a 2 row vehicle.

[NomisR]

No, most people don't want or even need minivans. The only top 10 selling 3 row vehicle is the Highlander, which, like all other 3 row crossovers, is significantly smaller than most minivans. Everything else in the top 10 is a 2 row vehicle.

So they want a wagon instead?  A turbo diesel wagon!

[Eye of the Tiger]

So they want a wagon instead?  A turbo diesel wagon!

What!? Where? Did you just see one?

[Xer0]

I'm honestly not surprised.  The Stinger is such a weird vehicle and it seems like it was a little half baked judging by how much better the G70 turned out with its additional year of development.  Like I'm not sure exactly who the Stinger was supposed to appeal to, the thousand or so buyers that take home an A7 every month?

[MrH]

I'm honestly not surprised.  The Stinger is such a weird vehicle and it seems like it was a little half baked judging by how much better the G70 turned out with its additional year of development.  Like I'm not sure exactly who the Stinger was supposed to appeal to, the thousand or so buyers that take home an A7 every month?

Yeah, I'm also confused by the whole thing.  There aren't droves of people wishing for a budget A7 really.

[MX793]

I think I've seen as many Tellurides in the past week as I've seen Stingers in the past year.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I think I've seen as many Tellurides in the past week as I've seen Stingers in the past year.

I've seen more Tellurides this week than I've ever seen Stingers. I'm surprised how many there are around here.
It's a shame about the Stinger. They had some nice incentives for a while, too.

[12,000 RPM]

Yeah, I'm also confused by the whole thing.  There aren't droves of people wishing for a budget A7 really.

The internet promised! Make a fast RWD Camry and it will sell!!!

[Eye of the Tiger]

The internet promised! Make a fast RWD Camry and it will sell!!!

Only if it is a wagon.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I think I've seen as many Tellurides in the past week as I've seen Stingers in the past year.

WORD!!!

[NomisR]

Only if it is a wagon.

[Xer0]

Brown wagon, manual, diesel.  Boom!  We did it boys, we fixed the Stinger.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Brown wagon, manual, diesel.  Boom!  We did it boys, we fixed the Stinger.

I'll trade in my house for one right now!

[Xer0]

I'll trade in my house for one right now!

I've already bought it.

The only one.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I've already bought it.

The only one.

[AutobahnSHO]

No, most people don't want or even need minivans. The only top 10 selling 3 row vehicle is the Highlander, which, like all other 3 row crossovers, is significantly smaller than most minivans. Everything else in the top 10 is a 2 row vehicle.

It's just a cheap small minivan that doesn't look like a minivan.

[12,000 RPM]

By this logic a station wagon is a lowered minivan. Lets not be ridiculous

[Soup DeVille]

By this logic a station wagon is a lowered minivan. Lets not be ridiculous

Of course it isn't.

Minivans are raised up station wagons.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Of course it isn't.

Minivans are raised up station wagons.

The original minivan



note the Corvette-inspired suspension

[RomanChariot]

The original minivan



note the Corvette-inspired suspension

I'm confused on what this is. It is definitely a wagon. It doesn't have a top so that would place it in the roadster category. It has a raised suspension so the puts it into the SUV category. It only has 2-4 horsepower so that puts it into the underpowered category which would point to it being a Subaru.

Is it an 1812 Subaru Ascent roadster prototype?

P.S.  I like how only the front row benefits from suspension. "You kids better quiet down or I'm going to hit a bump and you'll get thrown out!"

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'm confused on what this is. It is definitely a wagon. It doesn't have a top so that would place it in the roadster category. It has a raised suspension so the puts it into the SUV category. It only has 2-4 horsepower so that puts it into the underpowered category which would point to it being a Subaru.

Is it an 1812 Subaru Ascent roadster prototype?

P.S.  I like how only the front row benefits from suspension. "You kids better quiet down or I'm going to hit a bump and you'll get thrown out!"

Yeeeee! 

[RomanChariot]

I like how this thread has devolved from the KIA Stinger to pioneer transportation. At least they both have wheels, seats and "horsepower." 

[CaminoRacer]

P.S.  I like how only the front row benefits from suspension. "You kids better quiet down or I'm going to hit a bump and you'll get thrown out!"

Well, double suspension. Looks like there are leafs on the axle and then the front row gets it's own suspension. Like a semi truck.