Kia Soul sales pass the 5000 mark
April 15, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The all-new Kia Soul has passed an important mark this morning, and defying the current economic doom and gloom, selling 5000 units worldwide since its January release.
It’s an incredible effort for Kia, and one that has indeed proved exciting for the Korean manufacturer who said sales are 13 per cent higher than they predicted.
“Soul is a very exciting product for Kia, with a unique look and style it is bringing something fresh to the UK market,” said Paul Philpott, Managing Director, Kia Motors (UK). “Customers who have never considered a Kia before are taking Soul to their heart and are discovering the quality, value and exciting design of our cars”.
Soul is a five-door, full five-seat hatchback with front-wheel drive, a high roofline and has a generous luggage area that matches many larger C-segment offerings.
It is available with a choice of 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines. As with all Kia vehicles, the Soul features a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
Already a multi-award winner, the Soul was the first Korean car ever to receive Germany’s prestigious recognition of a design award from the world renowned reddot product design competition.
In the UK, Fast Car magazine named Soul the ‘Best New Model for 2009’ and this week in the USA, Ward’s AutoWorld announced the winners of its annual ‘Interior of the Year’ awards.
Soul was named ‘Grooviest Interior’ winning its class when looks, value, safety, comfort and convenience were assessed.
Marketing of the Kia Soul has begun in Australia this month with sales here already proving promising.
“Kia Soul marks a revolutionary expansion of the Kia product range,” said Mr Panu Vainamo, General Manager Marketing, Kia Motors Europe. ”Soul is a bold statement of Kia’s determination to succeed as one of the world’s top automotive companies. It appeals especially to the young and the young-at-heart and order books for 2009 are looking very strong. Soul is a car that challenges consumers to rethink everything they know about us. Kia products have ‘stand-out’ design qualities and an emotional appeal to consumers.”
To read our First Steer on the all-new Kia Soul, click here.
Tags: Kia Soul
“Soul to their heart and are discovering the quality, value and exciting design of our cars”.”
I wish they wouldn’t force-feed us this shit. Its a cheap car. People don’t have much money. Nothing to do with ’soul to the heart’.
Kia did not project huge numbers for this car in Australia. It is more about brand recognition. More people are talking about Kia. So for this year Kia have kept in the spotlight with the Cerato, Diesel Carnival and the Soul. And soon we will have the face lifted Rio, Magentis and the all new Cerato coupe. What a year so for Kia.
I’ll be interested to see how this thing sells in aus. If Kia market Soul well then it could be a minor success here. The sooner they replace the crude and boring Rio and Magentis models the better…Kia need some help cause their aus sales plunged over 20% in march from 08 figures…
Has anyone seen the early soul ads?
Im confused and i know about the car. My girlfriend said to me “what the hell was that all about?”
And we have some children posting again…
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The reason why this is a ‘milestone’ is because so many people said this car would fail, especially given the current economic times. But instead, this car has defied the odds and they have managed to sell more than expected.
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What is everyones problem? You don’t like seeing a good car company succeed? Since your precious American car companies are finally starting to die off?
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Leaves me asking again why CarAdvice even bother letting you ingrates post comments.
Comradevodka on the last Kia review “What the hell is everyones problem? You don’t like it, don’t read it, don’t post. Is it so difficult? or are some of you just plain stupid? I don’t go and post rubbish towards other cars if I don’t like it, show the same damn respect.
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And for the love of god, why is whenever CA post anything positive about KIA, people have to criticize them of being paid. Get over yourselves seriously”. I Think they are paying you Comrade Hic hic !
“WTF? Does this even warrant being a news item?!? 5000 sales since launch in January?!? Wooopppdy flappin’ doooo… Obviously CA are paid by Kia Australia to publish this garbage!”
If it’s not worthy of a news article, then why did you bother reading it and commenting on it ?
The contents of the article were clearly stated in the headline.
I reckon this is going to be a big seller in the USA
I dont know what is funnier, the car or the debate it sparked among fellow bloggers. lol
Brotherdrunk so what its a nothing korean car , just a so called niche car from asia , wont last the distance in oz , get over it .
Calling all clowns
WT… I read article 3 times..
5000 units sold last 3 monts … world wide…
WT?;;… sound very bad…
5000 worldwide is next to nothing
Crusty, you are right about it not doing well in Australia. Because most Australian’s are among the most narrow-minded individuals I have ever had contact with.
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Too many are so against new and/or foreign things it is ridiculous and embarrassing.
Check out the ad for soul right next to comments , is that a clown or what
Doesnt Ford sell 100,000 falcons a year in Australia only?
Selling 5000 units !!!!
Oh, worldwide not in AUS….
They are crap and cheap.
So stay that way !!!
We never forget carnival…
And their TV commercials (include Hybdai) are painful to watch.
Respect KIA? Who the hell are you?
“It’s an incredible effort for Kia, ……………………… sales are 13 per cent higher than they predicted”
Boy! they set fairly low sale targets!?!
doing better than Hyundai who won’t even bring their new coupe over here!
Just think, if it wasn’t for CA bring this car to our attention, I be left pondering what was that Soul advert all about.
Thanks CA
Why would people project so much hate for this car. What has it done to you. Way too many kids posting here…….People who visit this website shouldn’t use what is written in the comment box to base their decisions on….Since that will be like asking a trailer thrash whore of a mom about how to raise a daughter properly…
The comment box is more about good fun more than anything else.
First time poster – long time reader. Have enjoyed this site because of the wide range of vehicles reviewed.
My young family is in the mode of looking for a car and actually I like the look of the soul and have had a look inside it at a showroom. It has a nice amount of space both in the front and the back. (The boot is a little smaller than I expected though).
My only issue is that it doesn’t have cruise control – otherwise it would have been a serious choice. Will they be bringing out a model with cruise sometime?
I like the direction that Kia is taking style and design wise, and if that is matched with engineering (which I am no expert in) then I really don’t see why it can’t be a contender in the current market.
btw – anyone know when the Kia No.3 might appear in Australia?
The reason why sales are good for SOUL is because KIA spent a crap load of money in commercials and ads. SCION doesn’t even go that route and rely on word of mouth and SCION already big reputation. In a world of name branding, KIA doesn’t top the cake even by SCION standard.
Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy over the odds, and they recently slashed $2000 off the price and still does not sell.
In USA it sells for the same coin as a KIA Rio, what it should for over here, still to basic and not enough kit for the high price charged
MORE than a legend FIAT 500, Kia your on drugs guys……