Kia Claims European Desire For Guzzling SUVs Killed The Optima

Today we have very bad news to share it with you guys, specially for Kia fans in Europe who love the Optima/K5, among those that included me, as we got the confirmation that K5/Optima won’t have replacement in Europe, from Kia Motors Europe CEO Emilio Herrera, on a full interview that will be posted before the end of the year.

Talking with Mr. Herrera after the confirmation that Kia UK has discontinued the Optima, if the rest of European markets will take the same position and if is going to be a subsitute in form of K5, he said: “Let’s see, at this time we have currently no plans to launch the new Optima / K5 in Europe”.

MDarringer - 12/30/2019 11:47:07 AM

-4 Boost

In Europe, it's a D Segment vehicle so that immediately makes it a niche product.

D Segment vehicles are often fleet vehicles, and Europeans given their jingoism and xenophobia are excessively bigoted against Asians, so fleet sales aren't a real option for Kia.

The new Optima is hideous could be another reason.

Truthy - 12/30/2019 1:17:59 PM

+1 Boost

Europeans are xenophobic when it comes to cars. Read any British car magazine and you would think Jaguars and Land Rovers are far and away the best in their respective classes. The fact that Tata has owned them for years has not really changed this.

skytop - 12/30/2019 4:26:24 PM

+3 Boost

WARNING:
The link in the above "Read Article" link takes you to a dangerous TROJAN.

MDarringer - 12/30/2019 8:26:29 PM

-1 Boost

Well duhh. YOU'RE here all the time. LOL