Kia Motors will take the wraps off three world introductions this week, but not at the Seoul Motor Show, the largest automotive event on its home turf that starts Thursday.

The carmaker, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor, instead decided to make the debuts of the second-generation Soul, the redesigned New Optima (the K5 in Korea) and the two-door Forte (the K3 coupe) at the New York International Auto Show on Friday.

During the Seoul event, Kia plans to unveil only one new car, the KND-7, a concept car that is likely to be produced as a compact convertible.

The decision, industry sources say, comes after the company suffered a slight decrease in U.S. car sales this year. In January and February, the carmaker sold 77,807 vehicles, a 3.41 percent decline from 80,555 vehicles a year ago. 

The company is vying to keep from losing its stake to Japanese and U.S. carmakers in the all-important U.S. market. Its market share slightly declined from last year’s 3.8 percent to 3.5 percent this year.

But industry sources say Kia’s latest announcement is enough to make local customers feel ignored. The new Soul box car in particular has been long anticipated as it is the first fully remodeled version of the original launched in 2008.

“Japan’s Toyota Motor, despite its growing presence globally, has never been criticized for not unveiling new cars during the Tokyo Motor Show. It introduces several interesting new cars every year,” said an industry source declining to be named.

Kia, however, made it clear it was a strategic decision for the U.S. market where the three cars are big sellers. “It’s impossible to launch the new cars at two motor shows at the same time,” an official said.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)