Kia Stands Pat With High-Value Prices for 2000
24 August 1999
Kia Stands Pat With High-Value Prices for 2000
Holds Price Line Despite 53% Sales Increase
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 23 -- Despite one of the fastest rates
of growth in the North American auto industry, Kia Motor America will hold the
line on the prices of all three of its vehicles for the 2000 model year.
The Kia Sephia compact sedan's base price of $9,995 makes it one of the
most affordable cars in America, and the Kia Sportage sport-utility vehicle's
base price of $14,795 helps it retain its position as one of the highest-value
SUVs on the market. The popular Sportage 2-Door Convertible, entering its
second year of providing affordable fun in the sun, will retain its
introductory base price of $13,995. Kia's year-to-date sales through the
first seven months of 1999 were 53 percent higher than in the same period in
1998.
"We have always positioned our vehicles as high-value," said Dick Macedo,
Kia's executive vice president of marketing and sales. "By holding the line
on 2000 model-year prices across the board, we are reinforcing the price
positioning that has helped make us one of the fastest-growing brands this
year."
The Sportage is available in two trim levels -- Sportage and Sportage EX
-- and is offered in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations.
The base Sportage 4x2 has a suggested retail price of $14,795. The least
expensive Sportage 4x4 will carry a retail price of $16,295. The suggested
retail price for the well-equipped Sportage EX 4x2 model is $17,395, while the
Sportage EX 4x4 has a base price of $18,595. All Sportage prices, regardless
of trim level, are the same as those for 1999.
The Sportage continues to deliver excellent value by offering standard
power door locks, power windows, dual remote power-activated outside mirrors,
rear window defogger, intermittent windshield wipers, tachometer and digital
clock. Other standard equipment includes a full-size spare tire carrier, a
theft-deterrent system and dual airbags.
Sephia Remains High-Value
For 2000, Kia's value-filled compact sedan is available in two trim levels
-- base Sephia and well-equipped Sephia LS. Also available is a Power Package
for LS models only that adds features such as cruise control and a six-speaker
AM/FM/CD stereo.
The Sephia has a suggested retail price of $9,995. The suggested retail
price for the popular Sephia LS remains $10,995, and, equipped with the Power
Package, the Sephia LS bears a suggested retail price of $13,325. All prices
are identical to those in 1999.
In spite of their value prices, all Sephia models include manual dual
remote outside mirrors; body-color front bumper, grille, door handles and
mirrors; driver's footrest; full-cloth seats; remote trunk and fuel-door
releases; rear defroster and P185/65R14 tires. To those features, the Sephia
LS adds a wide variety of additional equipment: power steering, split-folding
rear seat and tilt steering wheel. Full-cloth seating with a seat-cushion
tilt mechanism on the driver's seat also is standard on the Sephia LS.
Sportage 2-Door Convertible Offers Affordable Fun
The off-road-ready Sportage 2-Door Convertible, which has enjoyed a great
deal of success since its summer 1998 introduction, retains its introductory
prices for the 2000 model year. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for
the 4x2 with automatic is $13,995. MSRP for the 4x4 with manual transmission
is $14,495.
The Sportage 2-Door Convertible features a long list of standard items
including power door locks, power windows, dual remote power mirrors,
two-speed windshield wipers, tachometer and digital clock. In addition, the
Sportage 2-Door Convertible is equipped with a full-size spare tire mounted to
the tailgate, a theft-deterrent system and dual airbags as standard equipment.
In addition to offering outstanding quality, affordability and value, all
Kia vehicles come with two reassuring warranties: three-year/36,000-mile
basic limited vehicle warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain
warranty. Kia owners are also protected by Kia Extra-Mile Care, a program
that includes 24-hour roadside assistance for the length of the basic limited
warranty.
Kia Motors America, with more than 530 dealerships, is the U.S. sales,
marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.