Kia Optima: 2008 YTD Runaway Sales for Fuel Efficient, Affordable Car

[AMERICA 123]

Mild advertorial for Kia but nicely written - some good info.


http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2...e_fueleff.html

Fuel-conscious Kia zooms to head of automakers
Posted by Robert Schoenberger July 14, 2008 18:25PM

- Sales of the fuel-efficient Optima helped make Kia the fastest-growing major auto brand in the country last month.


- Last month, Kia was the fastest-growing major auto brand in the country, increasing sales by 7.6 percent while total industry sales fell by 18.3 percent.

- Coupled with its parent company, Korea's Hyundai/Kia outsold Nissan in the month, becoming the sixth-largest auto company in the country.

- Kia's Optima sedan, a mid-sized car that competes with the Toyota Camry, more than doubled.

- This year, the company decided to increase the availability of more fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engines in the car, and sales through the first half of the year are up 38.6 percent.

- "Last month was the best June in the history of the company," Kia spokesman Alex Fedorak said.

- And unlike some other sellers, dealerships had ample supplies going into the month.



Honda, with a 1.1 percent sales increase, was the only other major automaker to post a gain in June. Poor sales on the Acura luxury line pulled down good numbers for small cars.

Like Honda and Toyota, Kia has not been completely immune to the changing tastes in the automotive market.

Its once-popular Sedona minivan is off nearly 30 percent so far this year. The Sorento sport utility vehicle is down 39 percent.

- Hyundai/Kia is unlikely to beat Nissan for the full year given the lead the Japanese company had going into June, but it probably will be one of the few auto companies that will look back at 2008 fondly, the analysts said.

[camaro_freak]

if you build it they will come....

this better be a wake up call to ALL auto manufacturers.... the Koreans are making their big move, and you better be ready.

[Michael_S]

The Optima is boring as hell and it only gets "Acceptable" from the IIHS in side impact crash tests. But it has side curtain airbags and stability control, it's spacious for a midsize car, it's cheap, and the 162 horsepower 4-banger with a 5 speed auto has an MSRP (let alone actual purchase price) below $18,000.

[Grymm]

I find this both humorous and ironic.

I seem to remember all the morons that continually posted tasteless jokes about Kia.

and here we are....

GM is having to cut jobs...wait a minute...let me rephrase that. GM is having to destroy the lives of thousands of people by laying them off...all because of the insane notion that people would always want overpriced trucks and that there would always be oil.

Little Kia is reaping the rewards of thinking small and efficient. Even though GM has fuel efficient vehicles, the perception is, because of their huge trucks and SUV's, that GM is not fuel efficient at all.

You watch. GM is going to go the way of Budweiser...bought out by a foreign country....and America's coffin will be all but nailed shut.

For the past 20 years, greed has been the status quo in America. Wagoner and the rest of his cronies taking millions for themselves, all off the back of hard working real people. No amount of experience in any industry makes a person worthy of so much money. You can argue it all you want. I'll take a hundred people who live on 30K per year any day over 1 person who makes a million. It's senseless. Capitalism be damned....because look at what Capitalism has brought us to.

Ruin.

America is dead. We are now at the point where other countries are now sifting through the dead and taking what they want. Our government has failed us. We should have revolted against it years ago. Hopefully someone will stand up and lead us. Our own government will not protect our sovereignty...will not protect our economy. Where's the domestic drilling we should have been doing years ago? Where are the refineries we should have built decades ago. Where's the billions that should have been put into domestic programs and alternative energy research, instead of handing it to the UN and other countries that will squander it and give nothing in return?

GM's demise is only the beginning....and since the Volt will obviously be priced well above being affordable to the people that really need them, not even that over-hyped vehicle will help.

Now, if the Volt's technology were to be put into an Aveo, or any vehicle that would cost under 20K, then GM would be on to something. But, greed will prevail once again...and GM will die for it.


Kia, congratulations to you for holding to your guns.

GM....RIP. You had a good run, but you just didn't think...you rested on your laurels and cared too much about profits, instead of long term health...

Capitalism...Wall Street...think its cool now?

[Hitman1970]

You can buy a stripper mid-size four banger for mid $13K range with negotiation. Are they making any money off of these? Soldiers buy a lot of Hyundai/Kia products. They hook you with a cheap price and make you pay in higher than average scheduled maintenance fees to maintain the warranty. I say this as a former Hyundai owner.

[Grymm]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

The Optima is boring as hell and it only gets "Acceptable" from the IIHS in side impact crash tests. But it has side curtain airbags and stability control, it's spacious for a midsize car, it's cheap, and the 162 horsepower 4-banger with a 5 speed auto has an MSRP (let alone actual purchase price) below $18,000.

I don't know why people quote IIHS and other such nonsense. Look outside dude. People don't care anymore. People would be killing Polar Bears to extinction in the streets if it meant their survival.

Who cares if the Optima is boring.

Does it get me from point A to B on less gas than a "pretty" car? It does? Then screw the pretty car. If only more people thought this way...maybe we wouldn't be in this mess.

But noooooooo. People are too worried about looking cool.

Shallow...and just another nail....

Just another nail...

[01sunfire01]

my manager at work just had one of these cars for a rental. someone hit her 04 malibu classic and so they gave her a Optima. she hated everything about it she said. and it was ugly. she said it had no fun to at all nothing was nice about it and it road like hell.

[GMC-70]

Originally Posted by Grymm

I don't know why people quote IIHS and other such nonsense. Look outside dude. People don't care anymore. People would be killing Polar Bears to extinction in the streets if it meant their survival.

Who cares if the Optima is boring.

Does it get me from point A to B on less gas than a "pretty" car? It does? Then screw the pretty car. If only more people thought this way...maybe we wouldn't be in this mess.

But noooooooo. People are too worried about looking cool.

Shallow...and just another nail....

Just another nail...

You could pretty much get a G6 for price that is competitive with the Kia. So to those people buying the Kia I ask why?? Given the choice you have a domestic alternative yet some people chose to buy from a Korean manufacturer instead of supporting their own.

Hmm....maybe its not just the government that's f'in things up. Maybe, just maybe it's the American people with their Walmart atittude that's helping things along.

[Beelzebubba]

I actually like the Kia Optima. It's styling is very conservative, but tasteful, and it actually drives very well. I took my dad to test drive one just last week, an LX automatic 4-cylinder with a sticker of $18k+ can be bought for about $14k right now, thanks to a $3k rebate. There is also a facelift/update for 2009, so dealers are even more motivated to move the '08s. The major car mags and websites all rate it solidly mid-pack or better and it comes with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty- what's not to like about that?

My criticism is aimed not at Kia or the Optima, but at the person who wrote this article/press release!!! Numbers, especially percentages, can be so misleading! If you sell two of 'Car A' in May, then sell three in June- you've achieved a 50% sales increase!

The raw numbers tell the true story. In June 2008- Kia sold 6,865 Optimas compared to 3,106 in June 2007. For year-to-date sales, in 2008 the Optima has sold 28,808 vs. 20,781 for the first six months of 2007. Year-to-date Optima sales have increased by 8,027 units which is an increase of 38.6% as the original post states. But when you put the actual number into perspective, it's hardly significant. Moving 8,000 more mid-size sedans is hardly newsworthy- Honda sold almost 400,000 Accords in 2007 just for comparison.

Looking back a bit further, Optima sales peaked in May 2008 at 8,197 units. You could easily put a negative spin on the June numbers by saying that June Optima sales were down by 19.4% and it would be truthful.

[rueben44]

Originally Posted by Grymm

I find this both humorous and ironic.

I seem to remember all the morons that continually posted tasteless jokes about Kia.

and here we are....

GM is having to cut jobs...wait a minute...let me rephrase that. GM is having to destroy the lives of thousands of people by laying them off...all because of the insane notion that people would always want overpriced trucks and that there would always be oil.

Little Kia is reaping the rewards of thinking small and efficient. Even though GM has fuel efficient vehicles, the perception is, because of their huge trucks and SUV's, that GM is not fuel efficient at all.

I agree with you because I bought a Kia for one reason. Gas was costing me close to four hundred dollar a month and the Astra was late coming out. I started to trade it in last month and actually did the deal then I thought about the fact I can pay it off by January of next year if I am aggressive so why. I get 27MPG gunning it all the time and it is a great little beater. I still feel I may get an Astra or Saab soon but I am in no rush in this economy. For the first time I am not blowing money on cars I am saving it.

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by 01sunfire01

my manager at work just had one of these cars for a rental. someone hit her 04 malibu classic and so they gave her a Optima. she hated everything about it she said. and it was ugly. she said it had no fun to at all nothing was nice about it and it road like hell.

Interesting commentary. I'm sorry the Optima "road" like hell.
The Malibu Classic has been the pace-setter in the mid sized department for years. Why GM thought they needed a new Malibu, costing them zillions, remains a mystery to me.

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

You can buy a stripper mid-size four banger for mid $13K range with negotiation. Are they making any money off of these? Soldiers buy a lot of Hyundai/Kia products. They hook you with a cheap price and make you pay in higher than average scheduled maintenance fees to maintain the warranty. I say this as a former Hyundai owner.

You need only document your maintenance. You do not have to go the the KIA or Hyundaiiii!! dealer to maintain the 10/100 or 5/60 warranty.
I went to KIA for the first (early) O&F, at $33 a little high but I'm now in their computer. I save all receipts anyway, so keeping it together for any W work should not be a problem.
Soldier, retired.

Originally Posted by GMC-70

You could pretty much get a G6 for price that is competitive with the Kia. So to those people buying the Kia I ask why?? Given the choice you have a domestic alternative yet some people chose to buy from a Korean manufacturer instead of supporting their own.

Hmm....maybe its not just the government that's f'in things up. Maybe, just maybe it's the American people with their Walmart atittude that's helping things along.

Why? Good price, top quality product, dealer had cars.
Unfortunately the local Chevy dealer had two Aveos and zero Cavaliers aka Cobalts on the lot. They had two HHRs.
They had about 100 4500+ LB trucks on the lot.
Perhaps if GM had product available and if they advertised occasionally, I'd have been more motivated to drive 30 miles looking for a Cavvy. But KIA, Hyundai, and Suzuki were the ones spending ad dollars.

I support and root for the domestics.

HOWEVER...after getting jacked around by a Buick/Pontiac dealer a few years back when my dashboard quit and they treated me like a criminal stealing their children when I had the audacity to invoke the 39/39 extended GM certified used warranty, I went directly to the Honda dealer, I did not pass GO, I did not collect 200 dollars.

Blind loyalty is nothing more than feel-good mindlessness. I will buy the best possible product with my money.

Grymm's commentary is unfortunately far too accurate.
The most dire shortage this nation has is ethical, courageous, talented leadership. In government or in industry.

The "leaders" are bailing off the ship like rats, safe with their golden parachutes and damn the proles.

GMI hero Lutz, BTW, was one of the golden-parachute chieftans who sold the late great Chrysler Corporation down the river to the arrogant, bumbling Mercedes Benz geniuses.

[Stevasaurus]

Originally Posted by LAMRONH

GMI hero Lutz, BTW, was one of the golden-parachute chieftans who sold the late great Chrysler Corporation down the river to the arrogant, bumbling Mercedes Benz geniuses.

What are you talking about? Lutz was the one responsible for Viper, the LH cars, and the cloud cars (Cirrus / Stratus / Breeze). He made people want to drive Chryslers again instead of Shadows and Spirits. He's also the one who called out Robert Eaton (the real golden parachute wearer) enough to the point that Eaton wouldn't put leave him in place after the B. S. merger of equals. Funny enough, he's also the one who called out Iacocca enough so that Lido put in Eaton instead. Heck, Mercedes even wanted Lutz to stay with Chrysler due to his positive experience with BMW and Ford of Europe.

Call me a Lutz apologist? Absolutely! I'll take Lutz-inspired product over a Kia any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[vcs2600]

Originally Posted by Grymm

Kia, congratulations to you for holding to your guns.

GM....RIP. You had a good run, but you just didn't think...you rested on your laurels and cared too much about profits, instead of long term health...

Capitalism...Wall Street...think its cool now?

Reminder that GM owns Daewoo, and anything Kia can do, they should be able to do better.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Grymm

Little Kia is reaping the rewards of thinking small and efficient.

Kia hedged their bet just like everyone else. Their newest vehicle is a body on frame 7-passenger SUV with a 270'ish horsepower V6 or 337 horsepower V8. They were even planning a midsize V8 pickup for a while.

The difference between Kia and GM is that Kia covered their bases. They kept their small and midsize cars affordable, reasonable efficient, and cheap while also expanding into the SUV arena. GM went full speed ahead on its pickups and large SUVs and let the Aveo and Cobalt rot. Thank heaven GM leaders were bright enough to update the Malibu, or the Malibu classic would be collecting dust or selling at pitifully low margins right now too.

Originally Posted by Grymm

I don't know why people quote IIHS and other such nonsense. Look outside dude. People don't care anymore.

You're right. But it always shocks me. The first thing I would check before a car purchase is the IIHS crash ratings. Nobody else I know that shops for cars checks them at all. If an automaker advertises them on television or radio, people remember. But otherwise, nobody bothers to look.

The 2008 Fusion and 2008 Malibu have "Good" ratings from the IIHS in front and side impacts. I bet I'm the only person here who knew that already.