Kia Sonet zooms past 4 lakh sales milestone in less than 4 years

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 26 Apr 2024, 13:18 PM

  • Kia Sonet is offered in three engine options. There is a naturally aspirated petrol engine, a turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel engine.
Kia Sonet 2024 review
Kia Sonet 2024 facelift SUV comes with host of updates that includes a new exterior look, an updated interior and features galore. The biggest bragging right now is the introduction of ADAS technology, a first in the sub-compact SUV segment.

Kia India has announced that the Sonet has received a significant milestone of surpassing 4 lakh sales figures in under 44 months. It is important to note that these sales figures include domestic and overseas markets. The Sonet commands 33.3 per cent overall sales with 3,17,754 units sold domestically and 85,814 units exported. The updated Sonet was launched in India in January 2024. The price

In 44 months since launch, 63 per cent of customers prefer Sonet variants equipped with a sunroof. Regarding engine preference, Sonet’s 1.5-litre diesel engine is preferred by 37% of its customers which is quite surprising as the market for diesel engines is slowly dying. 63 per cent of customers prefer petrol engine options. Kia has also observed a consumer shift towards automatic variants. This is probably because of the increasing traffic that our cities are facing. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission in Sonet has gained traction, growing by 37.50 per cent since 2020. While automatic transmissions (7DCT & 6AT) contribute 28 per cent, the iMT has a steady fanbase with a 23 per cent sales contribution to Sonet. In the iMT gearbox, the driver needs to change the gears but doesn’t have to engage or disengage the clutch pedal.

Watch: Kia Sonet 2024 facelift SUV: Armed with ADAS, ready for rivals

Compact SUV is one of the most popular segments in the Indian market. Mr. Myung-sik Sohn, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, commented, “The compact SUV segment presents a big opportunity, with many first-time buyers entering the segment directly. Sonet is our second-best innovation, and it has captured their imagination perfectly. It offers them a futuristic, tech-enabled, comfortable mobility solution designed very well and with low ownership costs.”

Also Read : Kia Carens scores 3 stars in Global NCAP crash test. Check out the full report

Recently, Kia introduced new entry and mid variants of Sonet by introducing 4 new HTE(O) and HTK (O) variants in diesel and petrol engine options. While the HTE(O) gets a sunroof, HTK(O) offers a sunroof along with LED Connected taillamps, fully automatic temperature control (FATC) and a rear defogger.

First Published Date: 26 Apr 2024, 12:44 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

2024 Hyundai Creta zooms past 1 lakh bookings in just 3 months. Check details

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 10 Apr 2024, 19:04 PM

  • While the 024 Hyundai Creta was launched in January, the compact SUV recently saw a price hike in the Indian market as the introductory price ended.
2024 Hyundai Creta
The all-new 2024 Creta is offered with three engine options.

Hyundai Motor India Limited has announced that its 2024 Creta has exceeded one lakh bookings, marking a significant milestone. The Creta SUV, Hyundai’s first launch of 2024, is priced between ₹13.41 lakh and ₹24.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Additionally, the manufacturer disclosed that variants with sunroof and connected car features account for 71% and 52% of total bookings, respectively.

The 2024 Hyundai Creta is available with three engine options. All three have a capacity of 1.5 litres. There is a naturally aspirated petrol engine, a turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel engine. In terms of transmission choices, the updated Creta comes with a six-speed manual, IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission), seven-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) and six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Also Read : Hyundai Creta N Line review: Dressed for pride, decked for drive

2024 Hyundai Creta: Variants

Hyundai offers the Creta in seven variants. There is E, EX, S, S(O), SX, SX Tech and SX(O). Hyundai has also introduced the N Line version of the Creta which is being sold only in two variants – N8 and N10.

Also Read : Upcoming Cars In India 2024

Watch: Hyundai Creta facelift review: Major step-up for the SUV king

The Creta has been a very popular model in India. Based on Hyundai’s Global Design Language of ‘Sensuous Sportiness’, the 2024 Creta was revised with several design updates.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said, “The response to the recently launched new Hyundai CRETA has also been overwhelming with over 1 lakh bookings in a span of just 3 months since the launch in January’24. It is interesting to note that sunroof and connected car variants are contributing 71 per cent and 52 per cent respectively to the overall bookings, a testimony to the changing aspirations of young Indian customers. With new Hyundai CRETA, we have continued our pursuit of introducing exceptional products for the Indian market while strengthening Hyundai Motor India’s commitment towards ‘Make in India’. Brand CRETA has always created new benchmarks and now with the new Hyundai CRETA we have challenged the status quo by having a female brand ambassador for an SUV in India, a first in the industry. We sincerely thank all our customers for their love and trust in the new Hyundai CRETA and we are confident that we shall continue to establish new milestones and benchmarks in the industry.”

First Published Date: 10 Apr 2024, 12:16 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Kia to hike prices on Sonet, Carens & Seltos by up to 3% from April 1

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 21 Mar 2024, 16:43 PM

Kia said the decision was hike prices was due to rising commodity prices and supply-chain-related inputs. It is also the first price adjustment this y

…

Kia Seltos Sonet Carens
The price hike will affect Kia’s mass market models including the Seltos, Sonet and Carens. The increment will vary on the model and variant

Kia India has announced its plans to increase prices across its mass model range with effect from April 1, 2024. The Kia Sonet, Carens and Seltos prices will be hiked by up to three per cent from next month onwards. The automaker said that the decision was made due to the rising commodity prices and supply-chain-related inputs. Kia also emphasised that this was the brand’s first price adjustment this year.

Kia has not revealed the quantum of the price hike on each of the models but you can expect prices to vary depending on the model and variant. The Kia Sonet is the brand’s most accessible offering starting from ₹7.99 lakh, and going up to ₹14.69 lakh. The Kia Carens MPV is priced from ₹10.45 lakh, going up to ₹18.95 lakh. The Kia Seltos is the brand’s bestseller and starts from ₹10.90 lakh, going up to ₹20.30 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.

Also Read : Kia Clavis spotted for the first time on Indian roads

Commenting on the price adjustment, Hardeep Singh Brar, National Head – Sales and Marketing – Kia India said, “At Kia, we consistently strive to deliver premium and technologically advanced products to our esteemed customers. However, due to the continuous increase in commodity prices, adverse exchange rate and rising input cost, we are compelled to implement a partial price hike. The company is absorbing a significant portion of the increase, allowing customers to continue driving their favourite Kia cars without a major dent in their pockets.”

Kia is one of the most prominent players in the Indian auto sector, having made a remarkable climb on the sales chart since its arrival in 2019. The automaker has sold nearly 1.16 million units in India and overseas with the Seltos contributing 6.13 lakh units, followed by the Sonet with over 3.95 lakh units, while the Carens has added 1.59 lakh units so far. The automaker also retails the EV6 premium electric SUV in the country, which arrives as a Completely Built Unit (CBU).

First Published Date: 21 Mar 2024, 16:43 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Kia Sonet facelift to launch tomorrow in India

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 11 Jan 2024, 17:50 PM

  • Kia will offer the Sonet with three engine options – a naturally aspirated petrol, a diesel engine and a turbo-charged petrol engine.
Kia Sonet
Kia Sonet continues to come in three broad trims and is offered in as many as seven variants. There are a plethora of exterior and upholstery colour options as well. (HT Auto/Kunal Vianayak Thale)

After unveiling the Sonet last month, Kia has revealed that they will be launching the compact SUV tomorrow in the Indian market. Kia is already accepting bookings for the 2024 Sonet for a token amount of ₹25,000. For 2024, the Sonet gets a sharper-looking exterior and a revised interior with an updated feature list.

2024 Kia Sonet facelift: Variants and Trims

Sonet will be offered in three trims – Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line. There will be seven variants on offer.

2024 Kia Sonet facelift: Colours

Kia will sell the 2024 Sonet facelift in eight monotone, two dual-tone and one matte finish paint shades. The brand has introduced a new Pewter Olive colour that is already found on the Seltos.

Watch: Kia Sonet 2024 facelift SUV: Armed with ADAS, ready for rivals

2024 Kia Sonet facelift: Engine and transmission

Just like earlier, the Sonet facelift will be available in three engine options. There will be a naturally aspirated petrol engine, a diesel engine and a turbo-petrol engine on offer.

The naturally aspirated petrol engine will get a 5-speed manual gearbox. Kia is claiming a fuel efficiency figure of 18.83 kmpl. The turbo-petrol engine which will be offered with a 6-speed intelligent manual gearbox and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The fuel efficiency figures are rated at 18.7 kmpl and 19.2 kmpl respectively.

The diesel engine gets a 6-speed intelligent manual gearbox with a fuel efficiency figure of 22.3 kmpl, there will also be a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission rated for a fuel efficiency figure of 18.6 kmpl. Finally, there will be a 6-speed manual gearbox whose fuel efficiency figures have not been unveiled because it is still under certification.

Also Read : 2024 Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos: Which South Korean SUV should you choose

2024 Kia Sonet facelift: Rivals

Once launched, the Sonet will be competing against the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.

First Published Date: 11 Jan 2024, 17:29 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Updated Hyundai Creta to launch on January 16: What does it mean for segment?

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

The updated Hyundai Creta is ready and raring for its official launch in the Indian car market. But unlike in times before, the champion is now threat

…

The updated Hyundai Creta is ready and raring for its official launch in the Indian car market. But unlike in times before, the champion is now threatened by a longer list of very competent challengers.

Hyundai Creta facelift spy shot
Hyundai Motor has been spotted testing the upcoming Creta facelift SUV near NATRAX in Madhya Pradesh. (Image courtesy: YouTube/@jayantkamdar)

Hyundai Creta has been the undisputed champion in the mid-size SUV space. But the Creta model available at present has not received any major update – barring special editions – in the past few years. It is a time period in which rivals have entered and carved out some space for themselves. While the crown may not have been under threat yet, the 2024 Creta is more than likely to extend its lead in the Indian automotive market.

First launched in 2015, Creta galvanised the mid-size SUV space which at that point in time had the likes of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. Both EcoSport and Duster have since disappeared, replaced by options like Kia Seltos, MG Hector, Tata Harrier, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. Each of these models are power players in their own right but Creta continues to sell by the truckloads and the updated version is likely to further prospects.

2024 Hyundai Creta launch

The update to Creta has been awaited for quite a long time. Once Kia drove out the updated Seltos earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before Hyundai fired back too.

Spy images of a camouflaged Creta have repeatedly surfaced in recent weeks as the SUV undergoes testing in India. What is evident from these is that the new 2024 Hyundai Creta will sport an updated grille and other minor design tweaks on the outside. In the cabin, the dashboard layout has been refreshed while the screens are likely to be updated too. There will also be dual-tone seats on offer while a 360-degree camera and ADAS technology are almost certain too.

In terms of engine options, Hyundai is likely to push out the model with three choices – 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol motor, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit and a 1.5-litre CRDi diesel unit. There will also be multiple transmission choices.

2024 Hyundai Creta vs rivals

What is likely to hold the new Creta in good stead is the enormous popularity it has enjoyed for nearly a decade in the Indian market. Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the SUV could be the biggest blockbuster of 2024. But unlike previous times, the competition is red hot. The likes of Grand Vitara and Hyryder offer strong hybrid technology. The Seltos is still quite new and has been received well by potential buyers because of its catchy new styling and updated feature list. Taigun and Kushaq underline their safety credentials while Harrier has assumed an even more macho exterior style in its latest update. As for Scorpio-N, it continues to boast of a very solid road presence that is quite liked by those who prefer an SUV body type.

First Published Date: 29 Dec 2023, 13:57 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Honda Elevate sales touch 20,000 units since launch, more orders for CVT

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

Honda Cars India Ltd. has announced that the new Elevate SUV sales have crossed the 20,000 units milestone in 100 days since the launch. The all-new Honda Elevate arrived in showrooms in September this year commencing a new era for the Japanese automaker in the country. The strong response to the offering amidst established competition will help solidify its presence in the segment.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 17 Dec 2023, 11:29 AM

Honda Elevate
Honda says it is adjusting production for the automatic variants of the Elevate, which are in more demand

Honda said that the new Elevate accounted for over 50 per cent of total sales for the company in the last three months. It has also helped HCIL’s sales grow by 11 per cent between September and November year-on-year. The company also revealed that the CVT automatic remains in higher demand on the SUV.

Also Read : Honda Elevate EV to get an electric avatar by 2026, four more SUVs to come by 2030

Honda Elevate first drive review
The Honda Elevate has been off to a good start in the highly competitive compact SUV segment

Speaking about the promising start for the Elevate, Yuichi Murata, Director of Marketing and Sales – Honda Cars India Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to witness the remarkable success of the Honda Elevate, which has surpassed our expectations. The 20,000 sales milestone of Elevate in the first 100 days of launch is a proud moment for us and reflects the trust & preference of our valued customers, making us a notable contender in the industry. Furthermore, we have maximised the production of the Elevate to serve our waiting customers as early as possible and adjusted the variant mix to align with the market demand which is overwhelmingly high for CVT variants currently.”

Designed with the concept of ‘Urban Freestyler’, the Honda Elevate boasts a bold and masculine design and is equipped with a powerful 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine paired with 6-speed MT and 7-speed CVT automatic transmissions.

The Honda Elevate competes in a highly crowded segment comprising the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and more. The competitive pricing has been a major selling point and so has the addition of essential features without going overboard. It’s also a fairly spacious offering in the front and rear.

Watch: Honda Elevate SUV: First drive review

The Honda Elevate comes with ADAS, a floating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, electric sunroof and more. Prices for the Elevate start from ₹11 lakh, going up to ₹16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The introductory prices are valid till the end of December 2023. Honda India also exports the SUV to several markets internationally including Japan.

First Published Date: 17 Dec 2023, 11:29 AM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

All-new Kia Sonet facelift unveiled, India launch scheduled for 2024

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

The updated Kia Sonet was officially unveiled to the world at an event in New Delhi on Thursday. The latest Sonet gets some very significant changes to its exterior design styling while now also boasting of ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance System. To launch in India in the first quarter of calendar year 2024 and the bookings start on 20th December. The Kia Sonet will look to intensify its rivalry against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue, both of which were updated in 2022. It will also take on segment leaders Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.

The updated Kia Sonet has received key styling updates on the outside and now comes with ADAS. There is, however, no change to the overall dimensions and mechanics of the model.

View all Images

The Sonet remains an extremely crucial model in the Kia India lineup and was the third launch here from the Koreans, after Seltos in 2019 and Carnival MPV in 2020. While the Seltos received a significant update earlier this year, the Sonet was beginning to look jaded. But not anymore.

While the Sonet sells in very respectable numbers in the domestic Indian car market, it is also exported to select countries from the company plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur. On obvious lines, the updated Sonet will also roll out from this same facility.

Kia Sonet: Key design updates

The Kia Sonet is a sub-four meter SUV from the Korean brand and sits below the Seltos SUV in the product pyramid. That said, exterior styling has been as crucial for the Sonet as it has for the Seltos. The updated Sonet continues to sport the Kia signature Tiger Nose grille but the DRL placement and design has been tweaked slightly. The headlight units and the front bumper have been refreshed as well.

Watch: Kia Sonet facelift SUV first look

At the back of the latest Sonet, there is now an LED light bar that connects the two tail lights. The design of these tail lights has been refreshed as well and is now visually closer to the lights at the back of the updated Seltos and the Carens MPV. On the side, the alloy design on the 16-inch wheels too has been reworked.

Kia Sonet: Colour options

The new Kia Sonet is available in eight single-tone colour options, two dual-tone hues and a matte shade that is exclusively for the X Line. The monotone colour choices are Olive, White, Silver, Grey, Black, Red, Blue and Clear White. The dual-tone hues are Red with a Black roof and White with a Black roof.

Kia Sonet: Key cabin highlights and features

Sonet has always been one of the most densely packed SUV models in terms of features. The model boasts of a 10.25-inch main touchscreen display and another 10.25-inch LCD driver display unit. It also gets a 360-degree camera, smart air purification system, a seven-speaker Bose sound system, electric sunroof and Kia Connect Skill with Amazon Alexa.

Kia Sonet
A closer look at the dashboard layout inside the updated Kia Sonet. The car now comes with over 70 connected features while also sporting a 360-degree cam view car location function.

Depending on the trim selected, the cabin colour and seat pattern would differ. The X Line gets Sage Green Leatherette seats with all-black interiors. The GT Line sports Black Leatherette seats with all Black interiors and White inserts. The Tech Line gets Black and Brown Leatherette seats as well as Black and Beige semi-leatherette seats.

Since there is no change in the overall dimensions of the new Kia Sonet, the cabin space in both rows, as well as the boot space, remains the same.

Kia Sonet: Dimensions (in mm)  
   
Length 3,995
Width 1,790
Height 1,647
Wheelbase 2,500

The biggest bragging right however comes from the addition of ADAS and the Sonet now comes with Forward Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist, and Lane Keep Assist.

Kia Sonet: Engine and key specifications

There is no change in the mechanics of the updated Kia Sonet. The Sonet continues to come with two petrol engine options and a diesel motor. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor offers 118 bhp and 172 Nm of torque. The 1.2-litre petrol motor puts out 81 bhp and 115 Nm of torque while the 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine develops 113 bhp and offers 250 Nm of torque.

The Kia Sonet facelift continues to come with a five-speed manual gearbox, six-speed manual gearbox, six-speed automatic transmission, six-speed iMT and seven-speed DCT unit.

First Published Date: 14 Dec 2023, 12:18 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Nissan Qashqai and Juke EVs to be manufactured in UK, say reports

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

Japanese auto giant Nissan Motor is likely to manufacture the electric versions of its two India-bound models Qashqai and Juke in United Kingdom. According to reports by British broadcaster Sky News, the Japanese carmaker will announce the development tomorrow, November 24. It is expected that these two models will be made at the carmaker’s UK plant located in Sunderland. Both these models were showcased in India last year in their ICE avatar along with the new generation X-Trail SUV. Qashqai and Juke are expected to hit Indian roads soon.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 23 Nov 2023, 13:50 PM

Nissan Qashqai Juke
Nissan Motor had showcased the Qashqai and Juke, along with the new generation X-Trail SUV as the three upcoming models for India.

Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of UK, is expected to visit Nissan Motor’s facility in northern part of the country on Friday. He is expected to be present when the announcement will be made by Makoto Uchida, CEO at Nissan Motor. Earlier in September, Nissan Motor had confirmed that two of its upcoming electric vehicles will be manufactured at its UK facility. According to reports cited by news agency Reuters, Nissan Motor is likely to invest $1.25 billion in UK to manufacture new electric vehicles. However, the carmaker is yet to confirm which two models will be manufactured there.

Nissan Motor showcased the ICE and hybrid versions of the Qashqai and Juke in India in October last year. The Juke is smaller in size compared to Qashqai, and could rival the likes of Creta and Seltos when launched in India. Qashqai could aim at the popularity of Harrier and others. The carmaker is currently testing the road feasibility of these models. The Qashqai has already been spotted on Indian roads during test runs.

Also watch: Top highlights of the Nissan Qashqai showcased in India

Nissan offers the Qashqai SUV with petrol engine mated to a hybrid system. The 1.3-litre turbocharged engine can generate up to 140 bhp of power and 156 Nm of peak torque. The transmission job is handled by Nissan’s Xtronic CVT gearbox. Nissan also offers a 1.5-litre unit mated to an ePower gearbox with Qashqai. This engine is capable of generating 156 bhp of power. Nissan Juke comes with a 1.00-litre petrol engine, mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. The engine can generate 115 bhp of power and up to 200 Nm of peak torque.

First Published Date: 23 Nov 2023, 13:50 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Seltos SUV boosts Kia’s sales in India in October

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

Kia India on Wednesday announced that the auto company sold 24,351 units in October 2023, with the Seltos SUV contributing more than 50 per cent to the overall retail numbers. The South Korean auto manufacturer has claimed that in October 2023, the company clocked its fourth-best monthly sales, recording a 4.41 per cent growth over the same month a year ago, when it registered 23,323 units.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 01 Nov 2023, 16:33 PM

Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos SUV contributed more than 50 per cent to Kia India’s overall sales in October 2023.

Kia Seltos has been the bestselling car for the auto company in India to date. Also, the SUV has been the first-ever Kia car to launch in India. In October 2023 as well, Seltos continued the momentum of being Kia’s bestselling car. It claims to have sold 12,362 units last month, contributing more than 50 per cent to the auto manufacturer’s overall sales. The other cars sold by Kia in the Indian market too witnessed robust sales performance. The Kia Sonet compact SUV claims to have sold 6,493 units last month, while the Carens sold 5,355 units. The Kia EV6 sold 141 units in India in October 2023.

Watch: Kia Seltos 2023: First drive review

Speaking about the car manufacturing company’s sales performance last month, Hardeep Singh Brar, national head of sales and marketing at Kia India, said that the festive season propelled the growth of the automaker’s sales further last month. He also hopes the sales momentum will continue in the coming months. “During the festive season, our customers’ positive outlook has helped us achieve our fourth-highest monthly sales ever in India. The fact that our products like the Seltos, Sonet and Carens continue to dominate in their respective segment, despite multiple new launches by competition, is a major accomplishment. We are working towards maintaining the same momentum in the coming months,” he said.

In 2023, between January and October, Kia India claims to have sold 219,702 units. The Seltos SUV claims to have contributed the most to the automaker’s CY2023 sales with 83,250 units, followed by Sonet and Carens, with 73,333 units and 60,817 units sold, respectively.

First Published Date: 01 Nov 2023, 16:33 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link

Kia Seltos, Carens prices to be hiked in October. See how much you need to pay

by with No Comment car insurance online

[ad_1]

Kia is all set to increase the prices of its flagship SUV Seltos and Carens three-row MPV. The Korean auto giant has announced that the prices of both these models will be increased from October. The carmaker has said that the Seltos and Carens prices will be hiked by up to 2 per cent. This is the second time that Kia has announced a price hike on its models during the ongoing financial year. Prices of Kia’s other models like Sonet, Carnival and EV6 will remain same for now.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 21 Sep 2023, 17:27 PM

Kia Seltos Carens
Kia will increase the prices of Seltos (left) and Carens (right) by up to 2 per cent from October 1.

Kia had launched the updated Seltos SUV in July this year at a starting price of ₹10.89 lakh (ex-showroom). On Wednesday, the carmaker introduced two new variants of the SUV to meet demands ahead of the festive season. The two variants, priced between ₹19.40 lakh and ₹19.60 lakh, will sit right under the top-spec variant of the SUV priced at ₹19.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Though Kia has not specified which variants of the Seltos will receive price hike. However, a 2 per cent price increase could see the base variant’s cost go up by more than ₹20,000. In case of top variant, the price could increase by up to ₹40,000.

Kia Carens was launched as a Recreational Vehicle by the carmaker in India back in February 2022. The launch price started from ₹8.99 lakh (ex-showroom). However, after multiple hikes in the last 18 months, the price of the entry-level Carens has increased to ₹10.45 lakh (ex-showroom). The price of the top-end variant goes up to ₹18.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

Watch: Kia Seltos 2023 First drive review

Kia said the price hike became necessary amid rising costs of production. Hardeep S Brar, National Head (Sales and Marketing) at Kia India, said, “While many of the companies have already taken the price increase post-April, we, however, did not take…besides the raw material prices are going up.. and we introduced the new Seltos and a lot of investment has gone into the product..so we think it is time that we take the price increase.”

Kia had last increased the prices of its models in April after it launched the Seltos, Sonet and Carens with updated engines to meet BS6 Phase 2 emission norms.

First Published Date: 21 Sep 2023, 17:27 PM IST

[ad_2]
Source link