Recently, an agreement among KIA-Lucky Motors and the Ministry of Industries and Production was inked in Islamabad. As per the agreement the production of KIA branded light commercial as well as the passenger vehicles will be done under Automotive Development Policy 2016-2021.
For the set up an automobile assembly plant in Karachi ,the company will be investing approximately $ 115 million.It will fabricate a wide range of commercial and passenger vehicles. Though the manufacturing and assembling facilities will be practical in the year 2019, KIA vehicles will be obtainable for acquirement to car buyers in Pakistan as the company will initiate importing cars in 2018.KIA-Lucky will be endorsing one-ton trucks which will almost certainly be the K-series,the passenger vehicles counting Picanto & Rio hatchback, Sportage SUV & Carnival MPV.
The Kia Rio
The Rio is a subcompact car obtainable in both sedan and hatchback forms manufactured since August 2000. The second generation Rio was launched in Pakistan just before Dewan went bankrupt consequently the sedan never saw victory in Pakistan. At present the Rio is in its fourth generation that was revealed at Paris Motor Show late last year.The new Rio has a totally new look, an updated front facade styling with a sleeker and wider grille, between ‘bi-function’ lights, longer bonnet and front overhang. There are new grooves, a thinner C-pillar and a more truncated bottom.
By employing of the additional chassis length is a re-designed rear torsion bar and independent front suspension, that Kia considers giving the new car “greater driving appeal, with more agile and immediate handling, while improving ride comfort”.
The 4th gen Rio is accessible with a range of engine choices in different markets worldwide. The range starts from a 1.0 liter turbocharged Kappa engine, 1.2 liter Kappa, 1.4 liter Gamma, 1.6 liter Gamma to a 1.4 liter U-line TCI turbo diesel engine.
The Rio has been seen in hatchback form more than a few times by now as KIA-Lucky vehicles are being locally tested nevertheless no information concerning the engines is on hand as of yet. Almost certainly either a 1.2 liter Kappa or 1.4 liter Gamma engine will be brought in Pakistan. Keep in mind the Gamma engines were produced in 2010 & of a comparatively older technology as compared to Kappa engines which are up to date, lighter and more fuel efficient.
The KIA engines projected in locally available Rio are also inspiring in terms of power. Below is a comparison amongst the available engines from other locally available options to give a better preception.
Dimension-wise the Rio hatchback is better than the Swift in terms of length & width however stands to some extent shorter in height. The Rio has a bigger wheelbase too, as evealuated to that of Swift.
The new Rio also acquires the Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard. More outstandingly it also presents ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian recognition.
Just a few months after its launch, the 4th generation Rio has by now won the 2017 Red Dot Award for Passenger Car Design and the 2017 iF Design Award for a Disciplined Product.
With the type of vehicles KIA is manufacturing internationally these days; it’s right to say that Toyota, Honda and Suzuki will be having a strong contender. The new KIA Rio has got all the probability to become a victorious option in Pakistani market; nevertheless a lot depends on price & after sales support. If priced wisely and backed by proper after sales support, the Rio will certainly be booming in our market and activate the beginning of a healthy competition.
