Picanto News: Here's to 2006

Looking forward to 2006 which should be an interesting year for Kia and the Picanto.

Top of our wish list is for the diesel version of Picanto to reach the UK as early as possible. It was already promised in 2005 but that has not materialised yet along with the SE +, so Kia need to get their fingers out and make that happen.

Its also sad to read that Kia UK were forced to put up their diesel Rio prices due to overwhelming demand. The company expected to sell 2,500 units this year – and globally the new car has been the focus of amazing demand. With worldwide demand running far ahead of global production levels, all markets will receive less than half of the planned original volume.

That means Kia’s plan to sell 15,000 units in the UK in 2006 has been cut to 6,000 units and that has forced the company to abandon its plan to sell diesel and petrol-engined versions at the same price.

This could also be affecting the diesel Picanto as well and maybe that's why we have not been blessed with its presence here in the UK.

Never mind as were sure it will all get sorted in the end. So here's to a prosperous and successful new year and all the best to our readers and sponsors in 2006.