The new Kia MPV will be based on the same platform as the Seltos but it will not be a 7-seater version of the Seltos. It will be completely different and a standalone product.
Kia just launched the Seltos in India today which marks it as their first product in the Indian market. And, they are not going to sit back with just one product but have quite an aggressive strategy planned for India ahead. Kia Motors has revealed to Autocar India that they are considering a new Kia MPV for the Indian market.
Speaking to Autocar India, Han Woo Park, CEO, and President, Kia Motors Corporation said, “I’m thinking about how to build our brand image in India and also about our next model and one of the options is an MPV.” If at all Kia brings an MPV to India, it will be based on the same platform as the Seltos and will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Mahindra Marazzo.
The next-gen Hyundai Creta will also be based on the same platform as the Kia Seltos. And, the next-gen Creta will also come in a seven-seater version. Kia, however, thinks that an MPV would suit them better in the Indian market. Also, if a seven-seater version of the Seltos is ever released, it wouldn’t be much different from the standard Seltos. It would not increase development costs considerably but would only bring in incremental sales.
Also Read : Renault Triber – All You Need To Know About Renault’s Newest Car
Coming back to the new Kia MPV, it will be a completely different product aimed at a different audience as well. The domestic MPV market also seems to be booming for some time now with the launch of new products like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Mahindra Marazzo. Even the sales figures in this segment are relatively positive.
Also Read : Kia Seltos Unveiled In India – Marks Kia’s First Product In India
The Kia MPV will also be likely manufactured here in India and could also see export potential in other markets like Indonesia where these cars are quite popular. The added practicality of MPVs is something that has been appealing to Indian customers quite well. Take the example of the Toyota Innova which has been doing very well indeed. Even Renault tried their hands in this segment with their new Triber. If launched, the new Kia MPV will sit below the Kia Carens in the brand’s line-up.
