At (Long) Last ...US Official Pricing

[Larry Denen]

The de-contenting is to earn more per sale. We know that. Perhaps their researching tells them that buyers in America will be more likely to buy the car without these features than in other countries. The fact of the matter is that us few car enthusiasts will likely make up about 1% of total Stinger sales and there's even a fairly large percentage of us willing to buy the car anyway even though we know we're not getting all the features and all the colors. While Kia executives are perusing the site looking for our opinions they see that a percentage of 1% of total sales is going to buy something else because of the decontenting. This likely means absolutely nothing to Kia and dwelling on it isn't going to make any difference. Those of us who are out might as well just bail out gracefully and buy an Audi or BMW. I'm still on board because I don't care about 360 camera, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging or chroma blue. <shrug>

 

[regnitStinger]

Okay ladies and gents, I’m here waiting for the “training” by Kia corporate guys before the test drive/ride-along in GT2 VS Panemara. Here are some pics to once again confirm the top of the line US spec GT2 is lacking the 360 surround view button. The car is locked at the moment. To be continued...

 

[netmag]

Obviously, to each their own. Sitll, I think it's important to voice concerns and issues. Those who say nothing, can't complain when they get nothing.
TBH, I didn't even know about the 360 feature, but I want to get in the luxury sports sedan arena and if that's available (and it's offered everywhere else) then I want the option to get it too.
Same with the colors. To me the best colors are not even being offered so that's important to me.

Also, I think it is quite a bit more than 1% that they'll miss sales on although you're probably correct about their thinking. I.e. can't please everyone and have to target the biggest profit. However, I contend that anyone considering the GT2 AWD (and thus willing to cross the $50K line) should be offered those options like everywhere else. Even if they offered it at $54K or $55K (like in the UK ) then that's ok, just offer the option. If the price is too much, then it's too much, but at least no one can complain that it wasn't offered. It's obvious by the de-contenting that they can tweak features at will. For example, they charge extra for the Chroma Blue in Australia. Why not at least offer the choice here under those conditions?

Yes, for many people, they're fine with a great sports car and won't (or can't) get the maximum anyway. But for those who are looking for luxury sports sedan and willing to get into that range, they should at least offer these things as extra options and let people choose.

The de-contenting is to earn more per sale. We know that. Perhaps their researching tells them that buyers in America will be more likely to buy the car without these features than in other countries. The fact of the matter is that us few car enthusiasts will likely make up about 1% of total Stinger sales and there's even a fairly large percentage of us willing to buy the car anyway even though we know we're not getting all the features and all the colors. While Kia executives are perusing the site looking for our opinions they see that a percentage of 1% of total sales is going to buy something else because of the decontenting. This likely means absolutely nothing to Kia and dwelling on it isn't going to make any difference. Those of us who are out might as well just bail out gracefully and buy an Audi or BMW. I'm still on board because I don't care about 360 camera, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging or chroma blue. <shrug>

 

[Jayce]

The de-contenting is to earn more per sale. We know that. Perhaps their researching tells them that buyers in America will be more likely to buy the car without these features than in other countries. The fact of the matter is that us few car enthusiasts will likely make up about 1% of total Stinger sales and there's even a fairly large percentage of us willing to buy the car anyway even though we know we're not getting all the features and all the colors. While Kia executives are perusing the site looking for our opinions they see that a percentage of 1% of total sales is going to buy something else because of the decontenting. This likely means absolutely nothing to Kia and dwelling on it isn't going to make any difference. Those of us who are out might as well just bail out gracefully and buy an Audi or BMW. I'm still on board because I don't care about 360 camera, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging or chroma blue. <shrug>

I think it is good to voice concerns. Yeah, it won't change anything for this year, but maybe some execs say hey, you know how we could capture more sales next year, just offer everything, even if we charge more for it. Might get some extra sales that way. It definitely can't hurt anything.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I agree, @netmag - the ability for them to have these things is there and they should just charge more for it if they need to. However, somebody is probably telling them to keep the price as close as possible to that $50k mark. Either way, I think somebody messed up.

I also gree with @Jayce's line of thinking that perhaps they'll offer these features next year to entice more buyers - or even more likely - with the midcycle refresh to keep people interested until the second generation is ready...

 

[Doel]

I honestly couldn't care less about the 360 camera, but the limited slip differential has me concerned. Optional on the GT and not even an option on the GT1?? What in the world? How is it at least not an option on the GT1? I really hope this is in error because not having an LSD makes a huge difference in a sports car.

 

[regnitStinger]

Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough time for everyone to test drive as they had to hit another dealership an hour away to do the same thing. So it was just a walk around for me. At least I like the sound it makes at the tailpipe nothing like the Panemara but it was louder/better than the Korean spec we have heard.

 

[Bamm1]

I agree, @netmag - the ability for them to have these things is there and they should just charge more for it if they need to. However, somebody is probably telling them to keep the price as close as possible to that $50k mark. Either way, I think somebody messed up.

It always costs Kia X amount to build a Stinger, no matter what market they sell it in. So based on that fixed cost, to get to the magic 50k price point in the US they have to remove content. They send out those e-mail surveys and find out no one cares about wireless charging, rear heated seats or SVM in the US. So off they go.

Then they bring the fixed cost Stinger to Canada and all of a sudden we throw those features back on and add in a 12k discount. Because Kia loves them some Canadians and will take a huge loss to get them behind the wheel.

They are a company trying to make money. So they think they can lower the build cost by removing content AND charge more in the US market to maximize the making of it.

Do I validate that practice by buying the car or do I vote with my wallet and pass. Time will tell.

I also gree with @Jayce's line of thinking that perhaps they'll offer these features next year to entice more buyers - or even more likely - with the midcycle refresh to keep people interested until the second generation is ready...

I don't think this is a way to build a loyal customer base. Everyone who bought the '18 will just be angry that they got the shaft on content if all of a sudden it appears on the '19 model year.

If we see these features at all it will be mid-cyle refresh or next gen model.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Yes, I think mid-cycle is much more likely. I remember when the BMW 335i came out - everyone who bought the 330i the year before (naturally aspirated) was pissed. Well, not everyone. But enough that I heard about it...

As for Canada, maybe they feel selling the Stinger there will be a much bigger challenge. And buyers here will help pay for the big discount they get up there. I really don't know. Only they know their logic...

 

[Bamm1]

Yes, I think mid-cycle is much more likely. I remember when the BMW 335i came out - everyone who bought the 330i the year before (naturally aspirated) was pissed. Well, not everyone. But enough that I heard about it...

I recall. The 335i was SO much faster. But it was a new model with a whole new badge.

As for Canada, maybe they feel selling the Stinger there will be a much bigger challenge. And buyers here will help pay for the big discount they get up there. I really don't know. Only they know their logic...

I don't think there is any big mystery. They think US customers will pay more for less and Canadian customers will not. They will try to make the max profit that a given market will support.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I don't think there is any big mystery. They think US customers will pay more for less and Canadian customers will not. They will try to make the max profit that a given market will support.

And there you have it. And I know where you stand. You'll either deal with it - or not. You're still on the fence...

 

[hereward]

It always costs Kia X amount to build a Stinger, no matter what market they sell it in. So based on that fixed cost, to get to the magic 50k price point in the US they have to remove content. They send out those e-mail surveys and find out no one cares about wireless charging, rear heated seats or SVM in the US. So off they go.

Then they bring the fixed cost Stinger to Canada and all of a sudden we throw those features back on and add in a 12k discount. Because Kia loves them some Canadians and will take a huge loss to get them behind the wheel.

They are a company trying to make money. So they think they can lower the build cost by removing content AND charge more in the US market to maximize the making of it.

Do I validate that practice by buying the car or do I vote with my wallet and pass. Time will tell.



I don't think this is a way to build a loyal customer base. Everyone who bought the '18 will just be angry that they got the shaft on content if all of a sudden it appears on the '19 model year.

If we see these features at all it will be mid-cyle refresh or next gen model.

I'd say, pass. Appearance of too many kia marketing tricks. What does it portend about dealer experience!

 

[Chris]

I'd say, pass. Appearance of too many kia marketing tricks. What does it portend about dealer experience!

Yep, at this point I'm 95% leaning toward pass. I was already worried about what will 95% likely be really bad depreciation, if they omit those features this year and then add them in '19 or '20 that will be even more of a depreciation hit.
I guess I will see what the G70 ends up as content and feature wise and see where to go from there.
Sad.

 

[Chris]

The de-contenting is to earn more per sale. We know that. Perhaps their researching tells them that buyers in America will be more likely to buy the car without these features than in other countries. The fact of the matter is that us few car enthusiasts will likely make up about 1% of total Stinger sales and there's even a fairly large percentage of us willing to buy the car anyway even though we know we're not getting all the features and all the colors. While Kia executives are perusing the site looking for our opinions they see that a percentage of 1% of total sales is going to buy something else because of the decontenting. This likely means absolutely nothing to Kia and dwelling on it isn't going to make any difference. Those of us who are out might as well just bail out gracefully and buy an Audi or BMW. I'm still on board because I don't care about 360 camera, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging or chroma blue. <shrug>

Disagree.
I think the exact opposite. I believe no one who is not a car enthusiast will even look twice at the stinger. No one is going to walk in to a Kia dealer looking for a forte and or optima and see a stinger and say let me drop an extra 20 to 30 thousand and get that instead. Other "non-enthusiasts" who are looking to drop 50k on a car are going to buy a "brand" and get a Lexus, Audi or BMW, because again they don't care how it performs because they are not an enthusiast.

 

[Chris]

And there you have it. And I know where you stand. You'll either deal with it - or not. You're still on the fence...

I'm not sure, this is the whole reason. In my mind a big part of it is the experience for Kia up until now is very few people will drop full price on a Kia, esp. the ones costing 40-50k. I really think they are "building in" the ability to offer large discounts on the car after 6-9 months if the car is not moving the volume they expect.

 

[netmag]

TBH, I'd probably allow myself to get rolled on the price a bit as long as I got everything I wanted.
But, considering I can't get some of the key items I want anyway, to pay more for less than what I'd get 800 miles north of here is tough to justify. I guess ignorance truly is bliss in this case.

I'm sure the G70 will have all those features available. However, it will also have a different style and the color choices will most likely be very standard and conservative.

 

[eljay]

I believe no one who is not a car enthusiast will even look twice at the stinger. No one is going to walk in to a Kia dealer looking for a forte and or optima and see a stinger and say let me drop an extra 20 to 30 thousand and get that instead. Other "non-enthusiasts" who are looking to drop 50k on a car are going to buy a "brand" and get a Lexus, Audi or BMW, because again they don't care how it performs because they are not an enthusiast.

I disagree, Chris. I absolutely don't consider myself an enthusiast, but just picky. I half-heartedly started my car search almost two years ago with an unachievable list of features in mind (the fastback hatch being the least-achievable item, I thought.) I was sure at the beginning of the search that I'd end up in an Infiniti or Lexus, or a BMW or Audi if I could convince myself to part with the $$$$$. Since than, I've happily driven a Q50, but didn't like the idea of the run-flats and no spare (and did it have HUD?); have tested an IS and hated it with a bloody passion; have ridden in an ES and thought it was a boat; have seen the rear seat legroom in a BMW (and more run flats) and walked away; and, although I liked Audi, have heeded multiple mechanics and Audi owners who repeated in almost exactly the same words, "Whatever you do, don't buy an Audi." Fortunately, last January I saw first the Regal and then the Stinger on the internet, and knew I had probably found what I wanted. You don't need to be an enthusiast to want a Stinger; you just need to know what you want--and be disappointed with everything else! As I've said elsewhere, I can survive being deceived about the 360º cam, and I can even survive knowing the Canadians got a "better deal." Afterall, we get a longer warranty than they do, don't we?

 

[Chris]

Hey Eljay, we might just have a different definition of "enthusiast" correct me if I'm wrong but you've had a 70's mustang and and 80's Z28, that might put you in the "enthusiast" category. Hell just knowing what a fastback is, is half way to being an enthusiast. Haha.

 

[eljay]

Hey Eljay, we might just have a different definition of "enthusiast" correct me if I'm wrong but you've had a 70's mustang and and 80's Z28, that might put you in the "enthusiast" category. Hell just knowing what a fastback is, is half way to being an enthusiast. Haha.

Haha, indeed! Well, let's say I'm an enthusiast for sleek exterior design. But I always think of the real enthusiasts as the people who go beyond the looks and know exactly why one car is mechanically better than another, as well as how to drive and maintain them the way they deserve. I've just been lucky that the cars I thought were pretty also turned out to be fairly good mechanically. That was, I assure you, an accident!

 

[Bamm1]

Afterall, we get a longer warranty than they do, don't we?

The comprehensive warranty is the same. The US gets an addition 5 years and 40,000 miles on the "powertrain only" that is non-transferable.

For 12k that is one d*mn expensive warranty.