Kia’s Stinger ‘won’t make a profit’ for the South Korean manufacturer

[Kia Stinger]

Yeah, we already knew this. But for shits and giggles...

The new performance saloon is viewed by Kia as a “brand builder”, as opposed to a “profit generator”

Kia’s new Stinger saloon will be the first car it has brought to market knowing that it won’t make a profit. Traditionally, the South Korean company has been a volume manufacturer, producing well-built and affordable models that are backed up by a seven-year warranty. However, the new Stinger is intended to be more of an aspirational product, designed to change people’s perceptions about the brand. Ian Mathews, head of product planning at Kia UK, said: “We do see it [the Stinger] as being a brand builder rather than a profit generator. Read more...

 

[eljay]

Obviously Kia USA didn't get the the message delivered "in very stern terms" by Kia Corporate that they weren't intending to make money on the Stinger, or we in the U.S. wouldn't paying more than in other markets for decontented cars.

 

[Brian Keenan]

Obviously Kia USA didn't get the the message delivered "in very stern terms" by Kia Corporate that they weren't intending to make money on the Stinger, or we in the U.S. wouldn't paying more than in other markets for decontented cars.

I bet the execs in the US didn't like the sound of "no profit" and made the changes we're all complaining about for that very reason. Most people will never know so they'll still sell a shit-ton of 'em.

 

[Taimaishoo]

I bet the execs in the US didn't like the sound of "no profit" and made the changes we're all complaining about for that very reason. Most people will never know so they'll still sell a shit-ton of 'em.

Although I'm not against making money, that is why we work so we can afford cost of living and an occassional toy. It's price gouging that really irks me. Let the market create the price. pssshhhaw! We are the market and we initially said around 45K for the GT2 sounds fair. I don't see any word of a 45K GT2, do you? Now, with all of that said and done, KIA may have had to leave some of those things off because of import tariffs, governmental red tape, luxury tax, gas guzzeling tax, forgot to wipe your nose tax, the devices have not been tested to meet OSHA, EPA and MOMs rules and regulations and so on and so forth in order to keep it under their original cost of 50K. I just don't think it's right to point the finger soley at KIA, just that they are a easier target to point out other then the rules and regulations imposed on us since long ago.

 

[Bamm1]

Although I'm not against making money, that is why we work so we can afford cost of living and an occassional toy. It's price gouging that really irks me. Let the market create the price. pssshhhaw! We are the market and we initially said around 45K for the GT2 sounds fair. I don't see any word of a 45K GT2, do you? Now, with all of that said and done, KIA may have had to leave some of those things off because of import tariffs, governmental red tape, luxury tax, gas guzzeling tax, forgot to wipe your nose tax, the devices have not been tested to meet OSHA, EPA and MOMs rules and regulations and so on and so forth in order to keep it under their original cost of 50K. I just don't think it's right to point the finger soley at KIA, just that they are a easier target to point out other then the rules and regulations imposed on us since long ago.

I am not blaming Kia because the same car costs more in the US than it does in Canada. But I am angry at how much MORE Kia decided to charge compared to every other manufacturer to cover this difference. They seem to have covered all the "red tape" twice over! While simultaneously decontenting said model!

Similarly equipped, all prices listed are without destination cost

Audi S5 Sportback
USA Price: $67,150
CAN Price: $74,550.00
CAN Price in USD: $59,766.74
USA "Markup": 12.3%

Camry XSE V6
USA Price: $36,395
CAN Price: $39,945
CAN Price in USD: $32,023.91
USA "Markup": 13.6%

Accord Touring 1.5T (2.0 not available on US website yet)
USA Price: $33,800
CAN Price: $36,090
CAN Price in USD: $28,933.35
USA "Markup": 14.2%

Optima SX/SXL
USA Price: $36,090
CAN Price: $38,945
CAN Price in USD: $31,210.52
USA "Markup": 15.6%

Genisis G80 Sport
USA Price: $57,750
CAN Price: $61,000
CAN Price in USD: $48,903.70
USA "Markup": 18%

Stinger GT2/GT
USA Price: $51,700
CAN Price: $50,000
CAN Price in USD: $40,085.00
USA "Markup": 28.9%
Theoretical USA Price With 15% "Markup": $46,097.75

 

[CTBumpkin]

All this complaining about "decontented!" Who in the US drives around with adults in the back and would get any use out of heated seats? Maybe kids in the back, but this is not a family car and out of affordability range of most young families. 360 degree camera? I've done without it for my whole life, so I won't miss it. At $54K plus tax already, I'm glad there aren't more superfluous add-ons.

 

[Kia Stinger]

All this complaining about "decontented!" Who in the US drives around with adults in the back and would get any use out of heated seats? Maybe kids in the back, but this is not a family car and out of affordability range of most young families. 360 degree camera? I've done without it for my whole life, so I won't miss it. At $54K plus tax already, I'm glad there aren't more superfluous add-ons.

Well that's another way to look at it! But I think most people are uncomfortable with the principle of the matter. I think most people complaining will still buy the car anyway because you can't beat the deal you're getting. Some won't. Some won't buy it because the sky wasn't blue the day they took a test drive. Or the moon was too full that night.

 

[Bamm1]

All this complaining about "decontented!" Who in the US drives around with adults in the back and would get any use out of heated seats? Maybe kids in the back, but this is not a family car and out of affordability range of most young families. 360 degree camera? I've done without it for my whole life, so I won't miss it. At $54K plus tax already, I'm glad there aren't more superfluous add-ons.

I guess I will never comprehend the response where I help excuse a company giving me less for a higher cost by saying those features were useless anyway and I should be happy they only charged me 30% more because it could have been 35%.

This is for sure a family vehicle. I might even say an SUV alternative. That is the exact demographic that could use 4 doors, a large backseat and a big trunk.

I think this might be a location thing but where I live (and most of the bordering states) there are young familes with far more expensive cars and SUV's than the Stinger. A large number of those even have a 360 degree camera and rear heated seats.

 

[Kia Stinger]

It probably looks and feels less like a "family vehicle" than the Buick Regal Sportback but in essence, it's aiming for the same audience...

 

[Charly]

Obviously Kia USA didn't get the the message delivered "in very stern terms" by Kia Corporate that they weren't intending to make money on the Stinger, or we in the U.S. wouldn't paying more than in other markets for decontented cars.

Our maple leaf brethren are getting a screaming deal but I'm not so sure about the rest of the world. I don't know the effect of taxes on the prices but some Europeans are paying a lot more than those of us under the stars and bars. As for the decontenting here, <rant>God damn it, I want a cover over the cup holders! Petty, I know, but the car just looks cheap without it.</rant>

Who in the US drives around with adults in the back and would get any use out of heated seats? Maybe kids in the back, but this is not a family car and out of affordability range of most young families.

We drive around with other adults (note the implication that I'm an adult) although sometimes only the minivan will do. And as Bamm1 noted, some people have both kids and money although I have a hard time comprehending that.

It probably looks and feels less like a "family vehicle" than the Buick Regal Sportback but in essence, it's aiming for the same audience...

Yeah, kinda... I think the GS is the most direct comparison. Until I drive them both, I'm kind of talking out of my, well, you know, but it looks like the Stinger will be the enthusiast's car. Buick decided very few of their customers would use the paddle shifters and left them off. So it's a highly competent car vs. your father's Buick. But if the Buick is competent enough I might just wind up with one.

 

[netmag]

I guess I will never comprehend the response where I help excuse a company giving me less for a higher cost by saying those features were useless anyway and I should be happy they only charged me 30% more because it could have been 35%.

This is for sure a family vehicle. I might even say an SUV alternative. That is the exact demographic that could use 4 doors, a large backseat and a big trunk.

I think this might be a location thing but where I live (and most of the bordering states) there are young familes with far more expensive cars and SUV's than the Stinger. A large number of those even have a 360 degree camera and rear heated seats.

I checked Mexico's configurator and they're just like Canada. The highest trim is only about 10K less rather than 12K less than the US, but they still get the 360, Rear Seat Heat, and the Wireless charging.
They could probably still get away with the price differences with minimal explanation if they weren't deleting features too. They could blame it on tariffs or whatever and claim that it's not cheap in Europe either.

But I think they needed to take some losses here in the US and go ahead and offer all the features that they teased would be available (that includes offering the freaking exterior color that they are showing in almost all their dealerships). Paying more for less is difficult thing to stomach.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I think the GS is the most direct comparison. Until I drive them both, I'm kind of talking out of my, well, you know, but it looks like the Stinger will be the enthusiast's car. Buick decided very few of their customers would use the paddle shifters and left them off. So it's a highly competent car vs. your father's Buick. But if the Buick is competent enough I might just wind up with one.

Buick had a great opportunity to offer a GS that competed with cars on the level of the Kia Stinger but they failed to pull the trigger. I guess they don't want to step on Cadillac's toes being more of a luxury brand than a sport brand like Chevy or Pontiac. Too bad. I think Buick would have really become a household name again...

 

[jbweb7]

Buick had a great opportunity to offer a GS that competed with cars on the level of the Kia Stinger but they failed to pull the trigger. I guess they don't want to step on Cadillac's toes being more of a luxury brand than a sport brand like Chevy or Pontiac. Too bad. I think Buick would have really become a household name again...

At least Buick is taking the lower end of the market seriously. An AWD with moonroof, great sound system, led headlights, big nav screen and all the safety tech comes in around 36,000, base is well under $30,000. That was the pricing I expecting for the Kia. That care as a kia will cost me $41,000 and only adds leather seats. Sorry, I'm not buying $5000 leather seats. At this point I'm considering the new Regal or Fusion Sport since it will be heavily discounted by fall as an outgoing model or a used A4 or ATS. Both can be had for about $25,000 with under 25,000 miles on them. If the Caddy's back seat was bigger I'd buy it in a heartbeat. The thing drives amazing!!! The only thing stopping me from buying the Regal is the grampa looks and ugly rims. If it drives well enough I may buy it anyway.

 

[Charly]

At least Buick is taking the lower end of the market seriously.
...
The only thing stopping me from buying the Regal is the grampa looks and ugly rims. If it drives well enough I may buy it anyway.

I "built" the Regal GS and the Stinger, both nearly maxxed out, and the difference was right around $7K. I really like the Stinger but $7K will buy a lot of chili dogs. The Stinger better drive a lot better.

Now don't be bad-mouthing grampas:

 

[Kia Stinger]

@jbweb7, I like the Buick Regal and think it's your best bet for a new car outside of the Stinger. It's not the "hippest" looking car but I don't think it has Grandpa looks. Yes, @Charly, the Kia needs some advantages over the Regal to make it price-worthy. What I'd like to see is how well the Regal holds up to cars like the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe and Audi 5-Series Sportback. If GM did well enough to earn close comparisons like the Stinger has, then Kia might have some 'splainin' to do.

 

[Charly]

If GM did well enough to earn close comparisons like the Stinger has, then Kia might have some 'splainin' to do.

Very true. The GS is missing some features, most notably the paddle shifters, but there's still the sequential-shift shift lever in the same place as the lever on a manual transmission and, as we all know, the Stinger's missing some features too. It doesn't sound like GM was aiming as high as Kia but they might have stumbled and gotten pretty close. If GM hits 99% of the Stinger and looks better in the flesh like the Stinger, I think I'll take the money and drive away in my grampa Buick.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Very true. The GS is missing some features, most notably the paddle shifters, but there's still the sequential-shift shift lever in the same place as the lever on a manual transmission and, as we all know, the Stinger's missing some features too. It doesn't sound like GM was aiming as high as Kia but they might have stumbled and gotten pretty close. If GM hits 99% of the Stinger and looks better in the flesh like the Stinger, I think I'll take the money and drive away in my grampa Buick.

I think Buick is going to have a real fight on their hands in regards to looks/appearance... The Stinger is taking the cake there... The Buick is probably going to be the more "quiet" ride - if that's important to you and your family...

 

[Bamm1]

Very true. The GS is missing some features, most notably the paddle shifters, but there's still the sequential-shift shift lever in the same place as the lever on a manual transmission and, as we all know, the Stinger's missing some features too. It doesn't sound like GM was aiming as high as Kia but they might have stumbled and gotten pretty close. If GM hits 99% of the Stinger and looks better in the flesh like the Stinger, I think I'll take the money and drive away in my grampa Buick.

I was very interested in the new GS as well. Even though it was a FWD-based platform. I thought the mechanical torque-vectoring AWD system would help with driving dynamics. Massaging seats, specially designed to improve back health, can go a long way on your daily commute. The GM/Ford designed 9-speed auto has gotten good reviews in other applications. It also makes max power on regular gas.

Now that the "build & price" tool is live, some of the official information has sadly soured me on the GS. Though, not all bad news (final engine tune has torque at 295 instead of 282). But the final weight figure had me floored to be honest. 4270lbs! That is heavier than the AWD Stinger GT. Also, the 19/27/22 fuel economy rating (likely impacted by all the weight) is barely better than the +55hp / +81tq Stinger (19/25/21).

 

[Charly]

I think Buick is going to have a real fight on their hands in regards to looks/appearance... The Stinger is taking the cake there...

But the final weight figure had me floored to be honest. 4270lbs!

That weight is ugly - like hauling a hefty passenger with you every day of the year. And speaking of ugly, the Buick loses the beauty contest. OK, it's not ugly but no cake. Too bad Kia keeps pissing people off and forcing us to look at second choices.

 

[zoop]

Basically to me what KIA has decided in getting rid of the 360 camera, wireless charging, nicer headliner, etc, is that they dont want to compete for buyers that would otherwise actually be looking at Audi & BMW. They're happy just getting the people that were maybe looking at Acura or Lexus, or the people who currently own a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, or Optima and are in the next stage in life and are able to afford a slightly nicer car. They arent actually serious about pulling buyers away from the name brands, or they dont believe they can do it. With this move they have basically made it so that I cannot really justify buying that car for over 50k, and I dont want the cheaper versions so Ill just have to wait for a car that suits me.