An unexpected competitor arrives at the Peugeot 308 and the Volkswagen Golf

Strong. Nevertheless, K5, Cardinal, Optima, Elantra… So many Korean models unknown with us but offered for a long time in North America. Moreover, A market where Kia launched her new K4 last year last year. Therefore, Designed by Canadian Karim Habib, the sedan hopes to recover the “disappointed” of the SUV in North America. Similarly, Not an easy task. Furthermore, when you know that even on this market where the sedans are popular, the SUV reign supreme.

But the K4 is not suitable for our regions: long (more than 4.70 meters), without tailgate and especially without any level of electrification. Furthermore, In Europe. Therefore, Kia focuses rather on models with high potential such as Sportage, Xceed and of course the range of electricity. Nevertheless, We were also given the opportunity to visit the Slovak factory in Zilina. Moreover, And to have attractive confirmations to unexpected competitor arrives peugeot 308 say the least about KIA’s future strategy in Europe.

In Europe. Kia is focusing on electrification – Unexpected competitor arrives peugeot 308

If the Tesla Model 3 has served as an exception to the rule in recent years, it does not prevent that no general sedan has managed to make the sales scores of yesteryear. Even this dear Model 3 now falls into disuse. Inevitably. the importation of the K4 as it is with us is unthinkable for Kia but that does not exclude an adaptation to our market.

During an interview with the boss of Kia Europe, we learned a little more about the upcoming launches. The idea then seemed logical to us Whether Kia uses the large Slovak factory as a European “Hub” for electric cars production. or at least rechargeable. What about other combustion models? Kia explains to us that the Zilina site continues to manufacture thermal XCEED. but also the whole Sportage range at unexpected competitor arrives peugeot 308 different electrification levels.

The arrival of the K4 in Europe

What changes. on the other hand, is therefore the arrival of two electric models: EV4, which we were able to attend the launch of the assembly lines, and the next EV2. The factory. with a capacity of 350,000 units per year, will thus juggle between the models according to demand and the context, promoting one or the other if necessary.

But Kia will not send her thermal in Mexico as Volkswagen could have done with the Golf. On the other hand. the manufacturer confirms to us that the K4, which is already produced in Mexico, should indeed be sold with us. But as we explained above, unexpected competitor arrives peugeot 308 not in the current form unsuitable for European expectations. Rather. it will be the K4 “Hatchback”, a very recently revealed tailgate version And which will appeal much more to Europeans. Replacement all designated in the CEED range. she will then find herself facing the Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308 in a compact segment that are tightening. According to our information, the K4 will be exclusively sold in hybrid with us and should arrive at 2026. A break version is not to be excluded, but in a second step. The XCEED will be restyled next year but will no longer be offered in France for tax issues. The K4 will therefore be the only representative of the C segment, excluding SUV, at Kia.