Well, this is not the first time. NIRO Hybrid was on display last year at PAPS show in Karachi. Again I dont see NIRO equation working as PKDM. NIRO cost more than Sportage in any market it is sold and it cant be cheap if even its assembled locally means it can go over Sportage as far as price and KLM don't want that because it can cannibalize Sportage sales , the best seller in our market.
Our market is not like US, Europe , China where vehicles in every segment has a buyer. Niro cant be assembled cheaper than Sportage. Keep in mind, Sportage price to go up anytime.
And we are expecting a Sorento in mid 7 Million to range. Why someone will buy a NIRO when someone can buy a 7 seater Sorento, sameway Sportage got sales over Corolla and Civic . I don't see NIRO coming as PKDM/ CKD. Also Niro is assembled only in Korea for global supply. KLM will not take chance by investing in a model which might not sell well because it will be right in middle of Sorento and Sportage with less price difference.
Lastly, we should understand the total capacity of lucky motors. They have one line dedicated for Peugeot. Producing 5 or 7 models is not that easy. We have a CKD assmbely line not a KIA own plant, even there that many models are not produced at one single facility. I think there will be total 4 models from Lucky.
Sorento
Sportage
Picanto
And 4th one would anything under 4 million range and that can be a subcompact crossover and that can be a Kia model or Peugeot or possibly sedan instead in shape of Cerato. We are hearing 4 more model from Kia before 2021 june , which I highly doubt.
As of 12th generation Corolla in March, April .. I don't think so as in January there is so called facelift of Corolla and Indus will not let the sales stumble if any rumour of 12th generation comes around the same time. With facelift, I think the 12th generation is easily around a year out if Indus is truly working on 12th generation.
