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Hello.

This is Uniji.

Recently, the discontinuation of the Kia Stinger has become a hot topic.

In fact, this isn't the first time concerns about the Stinger's discontinuation have surfaced.

Back in 2019, numerous articles reported on the potential discontinuation of the Stinger, leading many to worry that it might actually be phased out.

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Of course, due to these articles, Kia seemed to recognize the seriousness of the issue and hastily announced plans for the current facelift model through the media, actively addressing the discontinuation rumors.

However, as the automotive market rapidly evolves, the renewed rumors about the Stinger's discontinuation have understandably raised concerns again.

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The Kia Stinger showcases Kia's capabilities, featuring a striking exterior, an interior inspired by aerodynamics, and a 3.3-liter gasoline twin-turbo engine that delivers 370 horsepower and a maximum torque of 52.

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For reference, this vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds!!!

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It's no wonder that promotional videos for the Kia Stinger often showcase its powerful performance.

Above all, the GT model, based on a fastback design rarely seen domestically, has received praise for its design, performance, and quietness.

By the way, I chose to buy the Stinger because of its fastback design, powerful performance, and the fact that it's a premium vehicle from Kia.

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In any case, Kia has successfully used the Stinger to demonstrate its ability to create such vehicles to the public.

Thanks to this, when the Stinger launched in the first half of 2017, many people frequently asked which brand the vehicle belonged to.

However, we need to examine the reasons behind the recent resurgence of discontinuation rumors surrounding the Kia Stinger.

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After its domestic launch, the Kia Stinger sold an average of about 1,000 units per month in its first year, showing sales performance that was neither remarkable nor disappointing.

However, following the Genesis G70's release in the second half of 2017, the Stinger began competing with the G70, which shared almost identical features apart from design.

From the second half of 2018 onward, the Stinger's sales began to plummet, and it has continued to underperform against its targets ever since.

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The sharp decline in sales can largely be attributed to marketing strategies and the absence of a premium brand.

When the Stinger launched in 2017, it emphasized strong performance, but starting in 2018, it shifted to commercials featuring a girlfriend and father-in-law, portraying a drastically different image.

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The most decisive factor is that since the Stinger's unveiling in 2017, Kia has remained silent about launching its premium brand for over four years.

Of course, the prevailing theory suggests that Kia delayed the launch of its premium brand to support Hyundai's premium brand, Genesis, during its establishment.

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These issues ultimately affected the sales performance of both the Kia Stinger and the Genesis G70, with the latter benefiting from the halo effect of being a premium brand.

As a result, Genesis G70 sales have significantly outpaced those of the Stinger.

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In addition, it will come equipped with rain sensors and a hood garnish as standard features.

The vehicle will still be available in the same trims as before, featuring a 2.5-liter turbo gasoline engine and a 3.3-liter turbo gasoline engine.

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However, the 2.5 Master trim will no longer include the Performance Plus option, meaning that while the electronic control suspension and red caliper Brembo brakes remain available as options, the projection LED headlights and dynamic bending lights found on the Stinger 3.3 turbo will be excluded.

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Of course, due to ongoing semiconductor supply issues, the 3.3 turbo vehicles will require about 2 to 3 weeks for orders, while the 2.5 turbo vehicles will take about 3 to 4 weeks.

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You can find more automotive news through the link below.

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