Hyundai Creta rivaling Kia SP compact SUV: Launch timeline revealed

Kia Motors, the South Korean automotive company, will enter the Indian car market next year. The first Kia car for India will be based on the SP Concept that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. As per a new report, the upcoming Kia SP compact SUV, which will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta, will launch in India in September 2019. The manufacturer has already started testing the production-spec SP compact SUV in its home market.

It’s being said that the production-spec SP compact SUV will look a lot like the concept that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. The company has already confirmed its plans to promote its India-bound SUV as a more premium offering than its immediate rivals. What this really means is that the production-spec SP compact Kia will cost more than the Hyundai Creta. In all likelihood, the company will try to justify the higher price tag through more features, a more modern design, and the newer platform. Actually, the Kia SP compact SUV will be underpinned by the same platform that is bound to be used in the next-generation Hyundai Creta. Hence, in this aspect, the upcoming Kia SUV will hold an edge over the current compact SUV from Hyundai.

Speaking on the positioning of the upcoming SUV, Han-Woo Park, President, Kia Motors, has said- “We will position ourselves at a slight premium because we cannot compete with Maruti and Hyundai on costs. We will compete with other automakers on the basis of our design, which is stylish, young and vibrant. With elements such as our signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, we’ll be able to differentiate our cars from others.” While the Kia SP compact SUV will be a global model that will go on to rival compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and the Nissan Juke, the India-spec model will be fine-tuned to suit the harsh climatic and road conditions of our country. It will be manufactured at the company’s new production facility in Andhra Pradesh.

Source – Cardekho