The production version of a Kia Geneva show concept, more of which was revealed today, will make a little history for the Hyundai-Kia group here in Europe: it will be the first Kia to be built in the new Hyundai plant in Nosovice in the Czech Republic.
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As just-auto reported yesterday, the Kia plant in neighbouring Slovakia is now building Hyundai’s Tucson small SUV for Europe, a logical step as it shares its platform with Kia’s Sportage version. The Nosovice assembly line, meanwhile, is capable ultimately of assembling up to eight different body styles, and will soon add two B-segment MPV models, one for Hyundai and one for Kia.
The Kia model, codenamed YN, will be launched in November 2009 and will closely resemble this concept car – now called ‘No 3’ – that will be unveiled at Geneva next week. Hyundai’s version follows in early 2011.
Kia announced some details of the concept two weeks ago and has now released more photos. It said then the concept would feature a ‘dramatic glass-roof treatment and provide astounding spaciousness in a compact package’. The roof has a diagonal supporting bar and an automatic sun visor.
The 4,045mm long concept is is smaller than a Slovak-built C-segment Ceed, and based on the same platform as the upcoming Soul.
The European mini MPV market segment is occupied by supermini platform based cars such as Vauxhall/Opel’s Meriva, Nissan’s Note and Fiat’s Idea.
The Geneva car is the first Kia to be designed from conception by Peter Schreyer, who formerly worked as a designer for Audi.
It also features the new ‘face of Kia’ with the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation arrangement.
