2013 Kia Sportage Lx Awd on 2040-cars

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Why BMWs are cheaper than Hyundais in Korea

Bloomberg reports shifting tariff regulations have upended the traditional automotive pecking order in Korea. Thanks to cheaper import taxes, foreign brands have seen market share jump from 28 percent to 41 percent over the last two years. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi have all capitalized on the shift, with domestics like Hyundai and Kia suffering at the hands of their German rivals.
Taxes on European imports have fallen from 8 percent in 2011 to just 3.2 percent today. Over the next few years, tariffs will all but be eliminated for most imports, and taxes on US-made vehicles are expected to fall to just 4 percent in 2014. By 2016, that number will be zero. Needless to say, Hyundai and Kia are concerned about the shift.
Hyundai has seen profit fall by 15 percent last quarter, and the company says it is on pace to see the slowest sales growth since 2007. The company's shares have fallen by 12 percent. In order to stem the losses, Hyundai has discounted its midsize sedans and started working on diesel engine options.

Kia bringing new Picanto city car to Geneva

The Kia Rio may be one of the smallest cars available in the United States, but over in Europe, the Korean automaker offers something even smaller. It's called the Picanto, and Kia is set to reveal an updated version at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Measuring just over 140 inches long and weighing less than 2,000 pounds, the Picanto shares its underpinnings with the equally tiny Hyundai i10, with power coming from an upgraded 1.0-liter inline-three with multi-point fuel injection. The new model also benefits from redesigned bumpers front and rear, new 14-inch (that's right, 14-inch!) alloys, larger brakes and a revised interior with a new center stack, chrome accents and cloth upholstery. Buyers will also be able to choose between three- and five-door body-styles and new color packs to make it stand out from other city cars in the urban landscape, along with a new seven-inch display for the infotainment system and cruise control. Kia to reveal new Picanto at 2015 Geneva Show - Updated exterior and interior design with new customisation options - New premium features include cruise control and touchscreen infotainment - Updates to 1.0-litre gasoline engine and reduced stopping distance - On sale across Europe by the end of Q1 2015 Frankfurt, 2 February 2015 – Kia Motors Europe will unveil the enhanced Kia Picanto at the 85th Salon International de l'Automobile in Geneva on 3 March 2015. Kia's stylish A-segment city hatchback features a range of dynamic and visual improvements to maintain its competitiveness. The enhanced Kia Picanto boasts redesigned front and rear bumpers to enhance the car's bold looks, as well as updates to Kia's hallmark 'tiger-nose' grille. Buyers can now choose a new 14-inch alloy wheel design, and the inclusion of an optional sport pack makes the upgraded car stand out as one of the best-looking vehicles in the A-segment, in both three- and five-door variants. Inside, the Picanto is now fitted with new chrome accents surrounding the driver's instrument binnacle and dashboard air vents, and a new cloth upholstery pattern boosts the car's youthful appeal. At the centre of the dashboard, a more modern fascia now surrounds the Picanto's audio system. Premium features and greater customisation A range of optional premium features are being introduced to the Kia Picanto for the first time, including the latest generation of Kia's AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a large 7.0-inch display screen (available from Q3).

Kia: The Perfect Getaway

Former 007 Pierce Brosnan took on a new role for the 2015 Super Bowl, featuring in a spot for the new Kia Sorento. The fifth man to take on James Bond, Brosnan is being pitched a new project, although he doesn't seem to be totally on the same page as the executive that's trying to sell him. Where the actor expects a sniper and a missile launcher, he's confronted by a owl and a moose, respectively. It's a pretty humorous spot, all together. As for the car, you can read all about our first-hand experiences in the new Sorento.