Kia’s K9

By Kim Tae-gyu

Kia Motors, the country’s second-largest automaker, is pulling out all the stops to underpin sales of its recently-unveiled premium sedan, the K9.

The Seoul-based outfit said Tuesday that purchasers of the car will be given a highly customized service for a year after purchase under its dream-care service campaign.

``Specialists of Kia Motors will provide one-on-one consulting services to K9 drivers for 12 months so that they won’t experience inconvenience on the road,’’ an official said.

``We aim to move the clients through the scheme under which the company offers such services as exchanging engine oil and air conditioner filters free of charge.’’

In addition, Kia Motors is introducing a new system for tracking vehicles in remote places through cutting-edge telematics technology. This will extend to other Kia models too.

``Based on the gadgets or systems like smartphones and car navigation, Kia experts will be able to learn what is wrong with vehicles. Then, motorists can get solutions without having to visit garages,’’ the official said.

Hyundai Capital, the financial arm of the Hyundai Motor Group, said separately that the company will provide auto lease products for the K9 at discounted rates.

``Most of our auto lease programs are offered at an annual interest rate of 7.95 percent. By contrast, we look to substantially cut the figure for K9 purchasers,’’ a Hyundai Financial official said.

Those with credit ratings between one and four out of 10 will get auto financing at an annual interest rate of 5.9 percent while those rated five or six will be entitled to 6.8 percent

Kia Motors unveiled the K9 earlier this month and will market the upscale sedan across the country this month in two versions: a 3.3-liter engine and a 3.8-liter engine with prices ranging between 52.9 million and 86.4 million won.

Kia Motors hopes to sell a total of 18,000 K9s this year with figures projected to rise to 25,000 next year across global markets.

Because the K9 is the only new Kia Motors model for 2012, and one of just two for the Hyundai Motor Group alongside third-generation Santa Fe, the company is going all-out to boost sales.

The outfit has channeled around half a trillion won during the past four years to develop the rear-wheel drive sedan with a 300-plus horse power and a fuel efficiency of more than 10 kilometers per liter.