Kia Motors has issued images of the Niro concept, a small SUV that may be a preview of a successor for the Venga, its slow-selling rival for the Fiat 500L and Ford B-MAX.
Should Kia Motors Europe choose to exit the B-MPV segment, this would leave it with room at the Žilina plant in Slovakia to manufacture a theoretical small SUV. The Venga has been made there since 2009 but sources have told just-auto.com that the model might not be directly replaced. Renault has already taken such an approach, axing the Modus and Grand Modus and building the Captur at the plant which once made the small minivans.
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A specially adapted version of the Soul for European markets will also be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show. As well as a diesel engine, KME has specified glossy black wheelarch surrounds and other exterior details which distinguish it from the US and Canada’s new 2014MY Soul (currently being promoted with the help of its traditional hamsters but now aided by Lady Gaga). In Europe, the car will be a rival for the Nissan Juke when it reaches dealerships from March/April.
Should Kia be planning to build an adapted version of the Niro concept, it would give KME more firepower in Europe’s constantly evolving B sub-segments. The Soul, rebranded as a crossover, would be supported by another Korean import, the Rio. The potentially Slovakian-built Niro would be marketed as an SUV to challenge the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka, Ford EcoSport, Chevrolet Trax and Fiat’s forthcoming 500X.
Author: Glenn Brooks
