The Kia Picanto: New Approach for 2011

So what do the folks at Kia do after they have met their goal of one million units sold of the very popular Kia Picanto? Well, they bring out a new generation of this car and they completely change it in the process. Bold? Probably! But after the success Kia had with the Picanto, most notably in Italy, it’s hard to argue with anything they decide to do. In the case of the Picanto, the Korean car makers know what they are doing.

The Picanto debuted in 2004 and was an instant and constant success in Europe; two-thirds of the units sold were sold in Italy where the Picanto is as noticeable as the pigeons around Rome. Amazingly, Kia has decided to “retire” the Picanto and bring it back in 2011 completely changed. They obviously know something we don’t, or at least think they do, because this type of marketing strategy is rarely seen in this age of being ever so careful about new product lines.

Kia has changed the external lines of the Picanto, making it appear slimmer, although in fact the space did not lessen. Although appearing slimmer it at the same time appears more muscular. Optical illusion? The engine will come in 1000 cc and 1200 cc and will have better fuel consumption than its predecessor and much lower CO2 emissions.

For Americans who have never seen a Picanto, the new changes may not seem like much, but to Italians who have grown to love their car these changes are hellacious. The distinctive styling of the front, which looks like an alien jungle cat, and the low, strong, musculature way it sits on the ground, gives one the sense and feel that they are taming a beast rather than moving along in the Green Revolution.

Are there any of these cars in America? You can probably find one if you look hard enough but rumor has it that they will be offered in America, if not in 2011 then certainly in 2012, so keep on the look out for their arrival. As for replacement parts, a new car severely limits your options. Used parts for a new vehicle simply do not exist; aftermarket parts are going to be whatever price the dealership and auto parts stores put on them. That is the way of a market economy; nothing new about this approach. The good news is that Kia used parts are reasonably inexpensive to begin with, especially when compared to American cars or German cars. And after a few years it won’t be a problem finding Kia used auto parts