Picanto News: Picanto Diesel Not Coming To The UK?
Recent information from one of our readers suggests that the Picanto Diesel is no longer coming to the UK.
Although we have not had this confirmed by Kia, it would appear that the reason is due to the high costs of converting the car to RHD (right hand drive). What!!
As one of our readers points out in his comments: "So much for customer wants, economy and global warming."
A similar situation arose at VW back in the 80's when converting the Polo to RHD, but they came up with a work-around and the rest is history.
Based on the information we have received, the issue seems to be purely down to cost. If it's any consolation to Kia, we believe the Picanto diesel would be well recieved in the UK, just as it has in Europe. So surely the added cost of a workaround would pay dividends in the end. Besides, isn't Kia supposed to be a global manufacturer?
There's always a risk involved when manufacturing any product, with no real guarantee that it will sell. But given Kia's recent sales success, UK diesel sales on the rise and the Picanto picking up various awards, there's enough evidence to suggest the car would sell well in the UK.
In the end we guess it's just another car and people won't camp outside the Kia UK head offices demanding the car be built (now there's a thought). Ultimately consumers just go out and buy something else. Over to you Kia!
Thank you to Alan for the heads up.
Although we have not had this confirmed by Kia, it would appear that the reason is due to the high costs of converting the car to RHD (right hand drive). What!!As one of our readers points out in his comments: "So much for customer wants, economy and global warming."
A similar situation arose at VW back in the 80's when converting the Polo to RHD, but they came up with a work-around and the rest is history.
Based on the information we have received, the issue seems to be purely down to cost. If it's any consolation to Kia, we believe the Picanto diesel would be well recieved in the UK, just as it has in Europe. So surely the added cost of a workaround would pay dividends in the end. Besides, isn't Kia supposed to be a global manufacturer?
There's always a risk involved when manufacturing any product, with no real guarantee that it will sell. But given Kia's recent sales success, UK diesel sales on the rise and the Picanto picking up various awards, there's enough evidence to suggest the car would sell well in the UK.
In the end we guess it's just another car and people won't camp outside the Kia UK head offices demanding the car be built (now there's a thought). Ultimately consumers just go out and buy something else. Over to you Kia!
Thank you to Alan for the heads up.
posted by Tomauto at
9:38 AM
7 Comments:
With a third of the world of who's countries drive on the left.KIA can definately say by not producing the Picanto RHD Diesel that it isn't really a global manufacturer.
Heres a list of countries the Diesel Picanto will never see the shores of, or KIA see the profit from:
1. Anguilla
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Australia
4. Bahamas
5. Bangladesh
6. Barbados
7. Bermuda
8. Bhutan
9. Botswana
10. Brunei
11. Cayman Islands
12. Christmas Island (Australia)
13. Cook Islands
14. Cyprus
15. Dominica
16. East Timor
17. Falkland Islands
18. Fiji
19. Grenada
20. Guernsey (Channel Islands)
21. Guyana
22. Hong Kong
23. India
24. Indonesia
25. Ireland
26. Isle of Man
27. Jamaica
28. Japan
29. Jersey (Channel Islands)
30. Kenya
31. Kiribati
32. Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia)
33. Lesotho
34. Macau
35. Malawi
36. Malaysia
37. Maldives
38. Malta
39. Mauritius
40. Montserrat
41. Mozambique
42. Namibia
43. Nauru
44. Nepal
45. New Zealand
46. Niue
47. Norfolk Island (Australia)
48. Pakistan
49. Papua New Guinea
50. Pitcairn Islands (Britain)
51. Saint Helena
52. Saint Kitts and Nevis
53. Saint Lucia
54. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
55. Seychelles
56. Singapore
57. Solomon Islands
58. South Africa
59. Sri Lanka
60. Suriname
61. Swaziland
62. Tanzania
63. Thailand
64. Tokelau (New Zealand)
65. Tonga
66. Trinidad and Tobago
67. Turks and Caicos Islands
68. Tuvalu
69. Uganda
70. United Kingdom
71. Virgin Islands (British)
72. Virgin Islands (US)
73. Zambia
74. Zimbabwe
Another golden opportunity lost once again by KIA, talk about shooting yourself in the foot! I guess that we all loose,the customer,the car maker and the environment.
It looks like the sun is setting rather than rising eh,KIA!
By
Anonymous, at May 10, 2006 1:27 PM
Wow!!
That's a comprehensive list of country's not getting the Diesel. When you look at it this way, they are certainly loosing out big time.
There's some wealthy countries in that list, Austrailia, UK, India, Japan etc...
Talk about being short sighted. I'm going to send this list to Kia right now.
Must have took you some time to research that, but well done all the same!
Tom
By
Tomauto, at May 10, 2006 1:40 PM
>>That's a comprehensive list of country's not getting the Diesel. When you look at it this way, they are certainly loosing out big time.
--We certainly don't lose out at all. Considering the amount of harmful gases given off by the Diesel engines is 5 times more than Petrol engines.
I personally don't want to breathe in dirtier gases released by Diesel and damaged my lungs.
I don't lose out, Singapore won't lose out. Please watch what you said about losing out.
By
老星洲, at June 18, 2006 7:27 PM
"Considering the amount of harmful gases given off by the Diesel engines is 5 times more than Petrol engines."
Actually this statement is incorrect, especially where the Picanto Diesel is concerned.
Lets face it, neither petrol nor diesel vehicles are particular environmentally friendly. However there is growing evidence to suggest diesel vehicles can be environmentally less damaging, especially Euro 4 compliant engines, as they tend to have lower CO2 emissions.
The Picanto diesel is one of the world´s cleanest, most efficient cars, with a CO2 rating of just 112 g/km and its Euro 4 copliant!!
Compare this to the 123, 124 & 138 g/km CO2 emissions of the petrol derivative and i'd say that's pretty clean, wouldn't you?
But it's all acedemic really because no matter how much we debate the subject, we aint getting it in RHD.
And that's a shame and a pity!!
By
Tomauto, at June 19, 2006 9:56 PM
Is Kia going to sell the Picanto Diesel in the United States?
Ronald in Oakridge, Oregon
By
Anonymous, at August 14, 2006 9:56 AM
Not really sure, although it's left hand drive so no real reason not too.
By
Tomauto, at August 15, 2006 9:50 AM
I can understand all the disappointment about not being able to get a RHD diesel Picanto.
I recently had a LHD one as a hire car in the French Alps and I was astounded at its performance and economy. We got 3 adults and 3 suitcases in and it took it all in its stride. There was loads of power and the twisting steep roads were no problem at all
By
Anonymous, at September 01, 2006 1:52 PM
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