Kia not slowing down 2009 Auto show plans, lots of debuts coming
by Sam Abuelsamid on Dec 5th 2008 at 6:29PM 
Click above for more detail shots of the Kia Forte
Despite the downbeat news out of Motown, good things are on the way from some of the transplants. Kia, in particular, is feeling pretty upbeat these days and is the only automaker that's decided to throw a holiday shin-dig in Detroit (so far) this year. While Honda and Nissan have cancelled plans for press conferences at the Detroit Auto Show, Kia will have debut new models in the Motor City, as well as in Chicago and New York. Fedorak told us that a brand new concept would be unveiled in Detroit while the US version of the compact Forte sedan will be shown in Chicago. Fedorak also promised something new for New York, but didn't give up any hints.
But one no show to the party was the Kia Soul. Immediately after the LA Auto Show, the Soul was packed on a truck and sent off in the general direction of Detroit. Unfortunately, a large snow bank ambushed the truck somewhere in the western states, causing it to run late and miss the party.
Gallery: Kia Forte leaked detail shots
[Source: Kia]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 6:34PM (12/05/2008)
With the new Optima, Boreggo, Soul and Forte, I think Kia is slowly and surely making their way to the top. I think by 2012, Kia/Hyundai will be the next Honda/Toyota.
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fmwso 6:42PM (12/05/2008)
true...call me crazy but I kind of like the Kia Forte..is it just me?! lols..
Torrent 6:46PM (12/05/2008)
No I think it looks great.
Chubaka 7:15PM (12/05/2008)
Hmmm, I'm really digging the Forte too. Somehow I find the clean lines really appealing, even though the front reminds me a bit of the Honda Civic. I think Kia have designed a great center console for the Forte, with a clean interface while preserving functionality without too much clutter. Seriously, I think one of the main features that many car manufacturers fail to deliver on is the instrument panel. Kudos to Kia!
Sea Urchin 7:41PM (12/05/2008)
love the forte.
But Kia will have to outgenesis Civic, meaning more standard equipment than Civic, lower price and better MPG would be great too.
noz 7:59PM (12/05/2008)
And if they are really smart, they'll offer a good hybrid or alternative energy system sooner than later.
cogarch 4:22PM (12/06/2008)
It figures. Kia are getting their reward for having the wit to grab the brilliant Peter Schreyer in 2006 after Audi's disastrous decision to dump him in favour of the awful Walter da Silva.
Pengwin 6:41PM (12/05/2008)
HAHHAHA. Kia Forte SLi!!! thats awesome
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P.V. 7:15PM (12/05/2008)
Hmmm. This could be interesting.
I'm looking forward to what KIA has to show, as I'm impressed by the Forte and the Soul.
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Red 7:26PM (12/05/2008)
No offense, but I don't care who shows in Detroit, so long as I don't have to walk around looking at Chinese manufacturer after Chinese manufacturer. If anybody's seen those cars up close, they know how crappy they really are. I put my hand on a fender once and it sunk in. I was like "wtf"...
Seriously though, I'm looking forward to Kia's 2009. Seems to be one of the few bright spots in the industry at the moment.
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Beastage 7:35AM (12/06/2008)
I agree with you there, the chinese cars are so poor, they are genuine death traps.
Kitko 7:26PM (12/05/2008)
KIA is on the roll, crisis or not.
Its Slovakia's factory, the only place that produces in Europe very popular Cee'd and Pro Cee'd is still running without any reductions and new engine factory is planned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Pro_cee%27d
Procee'd is actually very good looking car...
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iohiuyty 7:38PM (12/05/2008)
Just buy a honda and get it over with!
Even if the quality were the same - impossible, the resale values are not.
Your going to lose big time buying this.
New kia ad - Pay now. Pay later. Your choice. Kia. : )
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Nightcrawler 10:19AM (12/06/2008)
Resale value doesn't matter much if you drive a car for a long time. So what if a '97 Honda with 200K miles is worth twice what a '97 Kia with 200K miles is worth. One's worth $1000 and the other $500. $500 isn't enough to worry about.
Or, if you drive them until they die, the scrap value it probably the same.
Red 10:16PM (12/05/2008)
Look on the bright side. At least it's not a Power Plenum.........
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Auari 7:50PM (12/05/2008)
If that car had a different steering wheel and console layout. I'd say that is one fine looking car, inside & out.
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guerro 8:16PM (12/05/2008)
Cars like this are the main reason why Detroit are collectively sucking hind tit. This car looks really well designed and put together. Come on Big 3! Make something Americans want to buy!
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Torrent 8:34PM (12/05/2008)
Cruze. Fiesta. Euro Focus. Kuga. Beat.
Cars American auto Companies make (or have plans to make soon.) that plenty of Americans want to buy. and I guarantee you there will be plenty more within the next 2-3 years.
sonic_bang 8:32PM (12/05/2008)
Funny.. Don't you know that Japanese were the one who pretty much invented automotive design thievery.
Oh... by the way, the car is actually penned by Peter Schreyer(the Audi TT fame).
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Derek94114 9:30PM (12/05/2008)
The Soul was actually at the SF Auto Show the week after the LA Show. Looks decent, better than the Element or the xB.
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