Plug-and-play Kia
First came Kia Motors New Zealand’s launch of the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models in March, and now the company reports strong interest in the all-electric Niro EV recently unveiled in Korea.
Kia Motors has itself risen five places in the manufacturers’ standings.
European drivers, especially Germans, are said to be hard to please and to favour their own manufacturers’ vehicles, so these results matter, says Kia.
In the compact SUV category, the Kia Sportage was ranked first in the JD Power 2014 Germany vehicle ownership satisfaction study,.
The report, which looks at overall driver satisfaction, also lists other Kia models. Kia entered the top-10 list for the first time.
About 18,000 German drivers were asked to rate their satisfaction with their cars – on quality, reliability, attractiveness and running costs.
The Sportage scored 83.6% driver satisfaction and sixth most satisfying car overall.
Kia Motors rose to 10th place, five places up from last year, and up from 17th position in 2012.
“The New Zealand market is closely aligned with the tastes of consumers in Europe, in particular Germany and the UK, so this result carries a lot of weight with us,” says Todd McDonald, general manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.
The Kia Sportage, is Kia’s best selling model in Europe. It was launched in 1993 and is now in its third generation. New Zealand and Europe models are made in Slovakia. The 2014 Sportage now has a 2L direct injection petrol engine, or may be bought with a 2L diesel engine.
