Kia won’t plant any more Cee’ds in Australia

The Kia Cee’d has been a successful small car for the brand in Europe but has been ignored locally in favour of the Cerato that is built in Korea and presents a stronger business case for Kia Australia.

A new three-door version of the Cee’d, the Pro_Cee’d, goes on sale in Europe this month, but only the sportier GT model is coming here to act as a hero car for the Kia range.

Kia Australia is understood to have been assessing the Cee’d Sportwagon, though that is also now off the menu.

“I’m not sure there’s ever been any serious consideration of Cee’d,” a Kia Australia spokesperson said. “As long as Cerato is around … you wouldn’t bring one in over another model that’s your biggest-selling line.”

A new-generation Kia Cerato goes on sale locally in April as a crucial model for the brand – competing in a segment that is the most popular in Australia.