Photo: original image by autoevolution
Europeans and Americans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of an all-new ix35 and Tucson SUVs from Hyundai, which will probably be followed in quick succession by a fresh Kia Sportage.
The Sportage has already received a small mid-life facelift a year ago. However, the Chinese market recently witnessed the launch of another update. From the front, the China-spec 2015 Sportage looks almost identical to the new Sedona minivan – straight headlights connecting directly to the grille, just like the all-new Sorento SUV and Sedona minivan.
The also made subtle changes to the fender flares and updated the fog light surrounds, to the point that you can't really tell this is an older model any more.
Around the back though, no such drastic changes have been made. The standard Sportage taillights are still in place, which basically contrast with the front end design. Kia has, however, added an aluminum scuff plate to the rear bumper and a double exhaust system.
We did a quick check of Kia's Chinese website and found the Sportage has never been on sale there, so the Korean carmaker is actually updating it for an inaugural launch. On this market, the compact SUV will be available with a choice between two petrol engines, either a 2-liter with 165 hp or a 2.4-liter with 174 hp, both fitted with either a six-speed manual or an automatic.
This places them in the no. 3 spot, right behind General Motors. Their slice of the largest pie in the world is expected to rise even further by the end of the year, as Kia plans to roll out a new K4 sedan and Hyundai the ix25 crossover, both specifically tailored to local consumer's tastes.
Kia and Hyundai are actually finding it difficult to keep up with demand right now. A fourth factory is being planned for the city of Chongqing in western China, but Beijing are demanding this to be built it in Hebei Province near Beijing.
Via Car News China
The also made subtle changes to the fender flares and updated the fog light surrounds, to the point that you can't really tell this is an older model any more.
Around the back though, no such drastic changes have been made. The standard Sportage taillights are still in place, which basically contrast with the front end design. Kia has, however, added an aluminum scuff plate to the rear bumper and a double exhaust system.
We did a quick check of Kia's Chinese website and found the Sportage has never been on sale there, so the Korean carmaker is actually updating it for an inaugural launch. On this market, the compact SUV will be available with a choice between two petrol engines, either a 2-liter with 165 hp or a 2.4-liter with 174 hp, both fitted with either a six-speed manual or an automatic.
Why China is Important for Korean carmakers
The Chinese market share of Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia is expected to hit the highest level since 2005. In a joint statement, the two have said they delivered 1.12 million vehicles in the first eight months of 2014, representing a 10.6 percent market share.This places them in the no. 3 spot, right behind General Motors. Their slice of the largest pie in the world is expected to rise even further by the end of the year, as Kia plans to roll out a new K4 sedan and Hyundai the ix25 crossover, both specifically tailored to local consumer's tastes.
Kia and Hyundai are actually finding it difficult to keep up with demand right now. A fourth factory is being planned for the city of Chongqing in western China, but Beijing are demanding this to be built it in Hebei Province near Beijing.
Via Car News China
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