Kia Motors launched a fully-revised Morning sub-compact car this week with enhanced safety features including a stronger body structure and additional safety systems.
The company also said the new model, now in its third generation, is more spacious than its predecessor which had been in production for six years. It is available in export markets as the Picanto with most sales taking in Europe, Asia and South America.
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The use of high-tension steel, produced by local steelmaker Posco, has been increased by over 44% in the new model – which the company says is the highest level among cars in its class in its home market. The use of structural adhesive has also been increased dramatically, the company said.
The new model also features an autonomous emergency braking system, which automatically applies brakes and brake lights if there is a danger of collision with the vehicle in front which the company claims is also a South Korean first for a car in this class.
Fuel-efficiency has been improved by 5.9%, with the 1.2-litre engine producing a maximum power output of 76hp.
The new Morning retails at between KRW10.7m and KRW14m (US$9,100-US$11,900) in the domestic market where a sales target of 85,000 units has been set for this year.
According to just-auto's PLDB product life database, the Morning/Picanto revamp introduced a new Hyundai-Kia small car architecture. The new Morning is the same length as the previous generation model – 3,595mm but has a longer wheelbase (2,400mm).
China's Dongfeng Yueda Kia (DYK) joint venture might also manufacture the new generation model, selling it as the Kia K1.
Worldwide sales target for 2017 is 145,000.
