Kia has confirmed it will add ‘eco’ versions of the strangely named cee’d model to its product line up early in 2009 – the year we may see the cee’d arrive in Australian dealer showrooms.
Based on the Eco_cee’d concept car seen at the recent Frankfurt motor show, the new ”green” versions of Kia cee’d will achieve better fuel consumption with fewer emissions.
All the technologies featured on the Eco_cee’d concept will be adopted by the new ‘eco’ production models the Korean brand is planning to manufacture at its Zilina facility in Slovakia from December next year.
While Kia Australia continues negotiations with the factory to bring the cee’d to this country, it will be 2009 at the earliest. Kia spokesman Jonathan Fletcher said there was not enough capacity at the company’s Slovakian factory with three versions – a five-door hatch, a five-door wagon and a three-door hatch – on the way as well as a soon-to-be- established Sportage line.
”We’re still negotiating with the factory but it’s likely to be a 2009 prospect – probably the second half,” Mr Fletcher said. ”The more popular it is in Europe, the harder it will be to get cee’d here any earlier.”
Kia says the new ‘eco’ range confirms their commitment to creating environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient production models that don’t lose sight of customer expectations for cars with a sporty design and fun-to- drive performance. [Source: The Chronicle]
