Destinations include Middle East, China and Southeast Asia


Kia Motors is considering exporting the K9 sedan in the coming months, having sold the premium sedan exclusively in the local market until now.

The automaker’s first export destinations will likely be the Middle East, China and Southeast Asian countries, according to company executives. The K9 will be dubbed the Quoris in overseas market.

“After targeting the Asian market later this year and early next year, we will fine-tune the timing of K9 exports to Africa, Central and South America, and the United States and Europe later,” an executive said.

He said, in particular, countries in the Middle East are expressing keen interest in the Kia premium sedan. The company held a marketing event in Oman last month.

The K9, which is competing with Hyundai Motor’s Equus and Genesis sedans in sales, is the premium cousin of Kia Motors’ K7 and K5 sedans.

It is the latest product of Kia’s evolving design approach, carrying its signature radiator grille, bold, “high-tech luxury car”-style LED headlamps and classic design on its voluminous frame.

The bold profile with its simple character line, along with the innovative rear appearance with its high-tech LED combination lamps, chrome decoration and bumper-integrated muffler, aim to create a whole new level of luxury car design.

A Kia spokesman said the K9 was the automaker’s first rear-wheel drive sedan. “It boasts our best of the best design.”

Earlier this year, Kia Motors reported all-time high quarterly earnings on the back of its robust vehicle sales in overseas markets.

Kia’s operating profit reached 1.12 trillion won ($1 billion) during the first quarter of 2012, up 33.4 percent over the same period last year.

The carmaker also saw its net profit climb by 26 percent to 1.2 trillion won. Its sales came to 11.7 trillion won.

On a quarterly basis, the figures for the operating profit, net profit and sales marked record highs.

“Thriving sales of models including the Morning, K5 and Sportage R helped it sell 690,830 vehicles worldwide in the first three months of this year,” a company spokesman said.

He said sales were also bolstered by the improved brand image of the carmaker in major markets including Europe and the United States.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)