Kia Motors is close to launching its third offering in the country, but has encountered a problem along the way. The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion under the Ministry of Industry & Commerce of the Government of India, has objected to the ‘Kia Sonet’ name for the Indian market.
Kia Motors showcased the Sonet concept at the Delhi Auto Expo this year and let everyone know, indirectly, that it would be called the Sonet — basically postulated all-over that the production model would be called the Kia Sonet.
The Kia Sonet will be the South Korean brand’s third offering for the Indian market, after the Kia Seltos and the Kia Carnival Premium MPV. Riding on the success of these two utility models in India, Kia hopes for the same kind of response or even better for the upcoming compact SUV.
The Kia Sonet compact SUV will be built on the Venue’s platform and will even share powertrain options. However the Sonet (or whatever it is called eventually) will be a slight premium offering, and will arrive loaded with features, including some that are segment first.