Preorders for Kia's new K7 top 4,500 units in 4 days

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- Preorders for the all-new K7 sedan of Kia Motors Corp. have topped 4,500 in just four days since its media debut last week, a sign that it is receiving a favorable initial market response, company data showed Monday.

Since accepting preorders for the K7 starting last Tuesday, one day after a media preview event, Kia Motors, the country's second-largest carmaker, said that the deals have surpassed 4,500 as of Friday.

On Jan. 11, Kia Motors unveiled the K7 to the media, saying it will compete with Toyota's Avalon. Its official launch is scheduled later this month.

The all-new K7 comes in four different types of power trains, including 2.4-liter and 3.3-liter gasoline and 2.2-liter diesel models, and is equipped with its own front-wheel eight-speed transmission that enhances its overall fuel efficiency and driving performance.

Of the total preorders, 3.3-liter gasoline model purchasers accounted for 23 percent -- the largest ratio among the trims -- followed by its diesel version with a 21 percent share, the data showed.

The 3.3-gasoline trim, in particular, appears to be appealing to customers with its affordable price and more enhanced functions compared with the 3.0-liter model sold under the previous generation, which hit the market seven years ago, market watchers said.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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