Kia Venga not for us

The new Venga mini people-mover, wearing the svelte new looks penned by design chief Peter Schreyer, will be unveiled at Frankfurt motor show next month but has not even been confirmed for right-hand drive production, according to Kia Australia spokesman Jonathon Fletcher.

Fletcher says the Venga is a Europe-only proposition and is not slated for Australia's showrooms. "We wouldn't take it anyway, it's not on our radar. We really don't have a slot for it in our line-up,” he says.

"We'd always been told it was for Europe only, so it hasn't been part of our discussions anyway, it would fit in the space currently occupied by Rondo and below - virtually half of our range - and it would change the pricing, marketing and positioning of our current range.”

Fletcher says Kia Australia was alone in looking at the Venga “We were the lone voice asking for it outside of Europe," he says.

Based on the No3 concept from Geneva show, the Venga is an all-Europe development that measures 1600mm tall and 4068mm long - 152mm shorter in length but 85mm taller than a Corolla - and sits on a 2615mm wheelbase, 15mm longer than the Corolla.

The Venga will be powered by 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines - with Stop and Go systems - and feature a sliding 60/40 split rear seat that folds flat into the floor and a twin-level boot floor. The little people-mover goes on sale across Europe later this year and in the UK early in 2010.

Fletcher says the Australian arm of the company was looking forward to the arrival of the Cerato Koup next month, which brings with it an upgrade of the sedan. "When we get the Koup there will be a 2010 upgrade, with some interior changes and some improved driveability for the manual, some have highlighted a throttle flare issue and we asked KMC to address that and it has. "We're looking forward to the Koup, it's a good steer and it looks good in the metal."

The Kia ranks will be further refreshed by the arrival of the all-new Sorento, which goes on sale in October. Fletcher says the company's product cycle was on an even keel now. "Our product cycle has been a bit of whack with our competition, now we've got great product here and more to come as well. "Our market share year-to-date is up, we've has some supply issues as well, we set modest targets for Soul, we're on target. Cerato we'd like to sell more but it's in the toughest, most-competitive segment in the country," he says.

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