(LEAD) Kia unveils 2 SUVs at Seoul Motor Show

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GOYANG, South Korea, March 28 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp. on Thursday took the wraps off a compact sport utility vehicle concept, as well as the face-lifted Mohave SUV, at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show media event.

The two models made their world debut at the biennial motor show ahead of their domestic launches. The show runs through April 7 at KINTEX exhibition hall in Goyang, just north of Seoul.

Kia plans to launch a compact SUV based on the concept crossover named "SP Signature" and the upgraded Mohave SUV in the domestic market in the second half of the year, the company said in a statement.

The SP Signature is Kia's most "innovative and young" SUV and the Mohave Masterpiece shows the past, present and future of Kia's flagship vehicle, according to Vice President Luc Donckerwolke in charge of vehicle designs at Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors.

Kia has strengthened its SUV lineup to absorb growing demand for recreational vehicles in global markets. Its lineup includes the Sportage SUV, Soul boxcar, Stonic subcompact SUV and the fuel-efficient Niro.

The carmaker also unveiled a crossover electric vehicle concept dubbed "Imagine by KIA" for the first time in Asia. No further details on the electric concept were available.

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
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