Question of the Day: Do you think Kia should drop model names and switch to numbers?

Posted: Jun 28, 2010
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2011 Kia Optima

The top level executives at Kia are considering dropping model names for their U.S. lineup and adopting a alphanumeric naming process. The move is being considered at the highest-level, according to Hyundai Motor Co. Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun.

Kia’s lineup in South Korea and some other markets already is partially alphanumeric. The Kia Optima, as it is known in the United States, is known as the K5 in other markets.

So we’re wondering what you would do if you were Kia. Do you keep names like the Forte, Forte Koup, Soul, Rio, Optima, Sportage, Sorento and Sedona or would you rather go for something like K3 (Forte) or K5 (Optima)?

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)


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  • Pat

    No way… names like the Soul and Sorento are popular for affordable Korean cars

  • Rodan

    Heck no … all the alpha-numeric names are already confusing & some even sound alike. Kia, being non-luxury, has even less reason to switch.

  • beelzebub

    If anything, I would do this for Hyundai. They can keep Kia as the regular car brand & move Hyundai up to premium (Buick) and/or luxury (Cadillac).

  • xbpdavis11x

    im not really feeling that it would make me think of bmw k3 (x3) k5 (x5) it just doesnt work right in my mind

  • baglakrati

    Keep the model names.

  • Stacy

    If they're going to do it, they should do it now before the public gets attached to any of the model names.

  • RotaryLover

    Keep the names. Leave the numbers to Mazda :P

  • Ulysses

    Names, not numbers.