Kia dealerships and enthusiasts worldwide are hearing the news out of Korea this week -the Kia Stinger may stop production as soon as the end of this quarter. This news comes from the same Korean report that says Hyundai will no longer manufacture the Sonata and the Kia K5 in the coming years.
What could have caused this shift away from Stinger and other sedans? What will it be replaced with, and what do these changes mean for Kia dealerships and long-time buyers?
What is Happening to the Kia Stinger?
Reports from The Chosen Ilbo in Korea say that the Hyundai Sonata will be dropped from production along with the similar Kia K5 and the Kia Stinger. While spokespeople from Hyundai and Kia say that these models are still important parts of their product lineup, recent evidence suggests otherwise.
The Kia Stinger has suffered a 25% decrease in sales as of April 2022, and Kia sales have dropped by 8% so far this year. Combined with Hyundai’s plan to expand its electric vehicle offerings in the coming years, it only makes sense that some models like the Stinger will be discontinued due to a loss in sales and general popularity.
But if the Stinger is getting the chopping block, what will replace it in Kia dealerships?
What is Kia Going to Replace the Stinger With?
Based on what the Stinger is known for in the Kia lineup, it’s likely that the EV6 GT-Line will be the new face of performance models for the brand once the Stinger is no longer in production. It makes sense that, as older Kia sedans are being phased out of production, new electric vehicles are being rolled out to replace them.
Hyundai Motor Group has made its intentions of turning toward an all-electric future clear with its current practices. Some of their vehicle production plants are being upgraded for EV production rather than conventional gasoline vehicles.
Is it possible that, as the parent of Kia, Hyundai Motor Group intends to replace less popular current models like the Stinger and K5 with new electric vehicles? What will this mean for Kia dealerships and buyers?
The Future for Kia
While the news of Kia’s Stinger and K5 models being discontinued is unconfirmed by company spokespeople, what is confirmed is the increase in electric car production by the automotive industry as a whole.
To stay current, Kia will need to produce more electric cars and leave some of its older gasoline models behind. While this is a welcome change for some consumers, it can be an unfortunate one for die-hard fans of some of the current Kia models that will be getting the boot.
Kia dealerships will have to find a way to balance the coming changes -from finding a way to market electric vehicles to adjusting their lots to fit models that will only be able to be sold used going forward. This could change how the average buyer does their car shopping going forward.
Regardless of your opinion on this change, it’s important to know what’s coming from your favorite car manufacturers. Keep an eye on automotive news from Kia and the Hyundai Motor Group to find out more.
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