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Anybody got the "back story" on the Kia's body style and design? Some cars have interesting stories and pedigrees behind them. For instance the Hyundai Elantra that preceded the current model was designed by the same team that designed some Saab models. (And you can see the resemblance.)
I'm head-over-heels in love with my new Soul down to and especially including the manual transmission and wanted one from the first time I saw the car. The body, especially from the rear with the "stance" and "back placement" of the rear wheels, looks French if that makes any sense.
Does the Soul look like it has a pedigree? Look it up on Google.
Seems like a KIA version of the Toyota Scion/Rukus which preceded the Soul by some years.
that Toyota Rukus is actually called the Scion xB here in North America, but I have read that the xB and xD maybe dropped due to poor sales so they can concentrate on their more sportier versions.
The Scion xB came to the US in 2003 and sold 6,936 units that year, it peaked in 2006 with 61,306 and then in 2011 it dropped to 17,017
The Soul came to the US in 2009 as a 2010 model and sold 31,621 that year in 2010 it jumped to 67,110 and then even more to 102,267 for 2011 and it will pass that for 2012.
Anybody got the "back story" on the Kia's body style and design? Some cars have interesting stories and pedigrees behind them. For instance the Hyundai Elantra that preceded the current model was designed by the same team that designed some Saab models. (And you can see the resemblance.)
I'm head-over-heels in love with my new Soul down to and especially including the manual transmission and wanted one from the first time I saw the car. The body, especially from the rear with the "stance" and "back placement" of the rear wheels, looks French if that makes any sense.
I'm going off memory here, but the initial concept was based on a warthog with a back pack by the design studios in California. Peter Schreyer (chief designer for Kia Motors) joined Kia in 2006 coming from Audi and VW and was responsible for introducing the "Tiger Nose" grille which is now on all models. The Soul was one of his first models that he had a hand in designing but not as much as the more recent models.
Without Peter Schreyer, Kia would not have the sales success it is now enjoying. He is now recognized as one of the best automotive designers in the world.
that Toyota Rukus is actually called the Scion xB here in North America, but I have read that the xB and xD maybe dropped due to poor sales so they can concentrate on their more sportier versions.
The Scion xB came to the US in 2003 and sold 6,936 units that year, it peaked in 2006 with 61,306 and then in 2011 it dropped to 17,017
The Soul came to the US in 2009 as a 2010 model and sold 31,621 that year in 2010 it jumped to 67,110 and then even more to 102,267 for 2011 and it will pass that for 2012.
Hi, where do you look for the sales figures of the Soul? I have only seen one other and I live in Melbourne a major city in AUSTRALIA. Regards Peter
Hi, where do you look for the sales figures of the Soul? I have only seen one other and I live in Melbourne a major city in AUSTRALIA. Regards Peter
I can only provide info on sales for Canada and the US, I've no idea where you get sales figures for just Australia. I do have sales figures for "Asia Pacific" which would include Australia, but not totally clear on exactly what countries would be in that group.
Not surprised you don't see many Soul's as the "Asia Pacific" retail sales for 2012 on the Soul were only 932 units. For comparison in Canada they sold 7,560 and the US sold 115,778. Canada is way down vs 2011 but that's because the US took 25% of our production due to their heavy demand. However, the factory that builds them has increased their capacity by 120,000 units per year so hopefully that improve supply.
As with most Kia models its manufacturing capacity that is the problem as its basically stretched to the limit.
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Back story on Soul body design
Soul
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