Kia will discontinue its seven-seat Sedona MPV when production ends in 2011.
A senior Korean source told Autocar that there wasn’t major demand for large MPVs such as the Sedona anymore and sales in the sector have been steadily declining.
“With the current trend being towards downsizing, there is no longer a case for cars like the Sedona in the UK,” said the source.
“All our efforts in Europe are making powertrains smaller and more efficient so it’s hard to make a business case for a large MPV with lots of power and high emissions.”
The source confirmed to Autocar that the next Magentis saloon was still going ahead and it would be a “very special” car. He added that he had already seen it in concept form in Korea.
“The new Magneits will be here in 2011 but at the moment we’re getting ready to show it off as a concept,” said the source.
“Peter Schreyer [Kia’s European chief designer] has had lots of influence and it’s going to be a very smart design.”
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Re: Kia's Sedona won't be replaced
At last, a good news story.
Re: Kia's Sedona won't be replaced
Who on earth will Mercedes sell their ancient engines to now? How thoughtless of Kia...
The Sedona will not be missed. Someone mentioned the Toyota Picnic, marketted as a "Family Fun Vehicle" *vomit*... at least the Picnic was almost reliable and quite refined - The Sedona was the biggest pile of junk I've ever driven or had the mispleasure to sit in. That includes Protons, Dodges and the Rover Cityrover!
Re: Kia's Sedona won't be replaced
Joking aside, it's a shame the Sedona won't be replaced. It will soon be impossible to buy an MPV with comfortable seating for 7 adults, due to the lamentable decision of all manufacturers to abandon removeable rear seats in favour of Zafira-style fold-flat items. These are without exception set too close to the floor and condemn the hapless passengers in the third row to an excrutiatingly uncomfortable knees-under-chin posture. Looks as if I'll have to keep on repairing my old VW Sharan well beyond its sell-by date...