Kia Most Economical Car in Europe
KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA
Kia Picanto / Page 1 / July 21, 2005KIA ‘MOST ECONOMICAL CAR’ IN EUROPE
A regular survey* of motoring costs by the highly respected ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) has revealed that the Kia Picanto is Germany’s “most economical car” with four seats.
Using the ADAC’s database of 5,500 new cars, the data of the survey confirms the conclusion that the total annual ownership costs for a Kia Picanto 1.1 LX five-door hatchback was just 48Australian cents per kilometer -- making it the economic champion of Germanyin its class.
The total annual ownership costs were calculated over a four year period, covering 15,000 kilometers each year, and include purchase price, depreciation, residual value, scheduled servicing and maintenance, fuel, tires, brakes, insurance, taxes and VAT, Europe’s version of GST.
“Since bursting onto the scene and taking the automotive world by storm in 2003, the overwhelmingly popular Picanto has been one of our global top sellers, with over 70,780 units sold in 2004,” says Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation. “Through the first six months of the current year, the Picanto has been our best seller in overseas markets, with over 56,530 units delivered.”
“The Picanto was created with European consumers in mind. It was designed to appeal to their hearts and emotions as well as their sense of style, while delivering a lively drive with a spacious cabin and high levels of safety. The Picanto is also one of the cleanest, least-polluting cars in Europe with a CO2 rating of just 118 g/km. Now, we have independent confirmation that those numerous appealing attributes are also backed up by long-term low ownership costs. Picanto sales in Europe so far this year have reached more than 45,000 units and this latest endorsement from the ADAC will encourage further rises indemand for what is already our most popular model,” concluded Yong-Hwan Kim.
As well as beating the 10 closest rivals (shown in the table below) the Kia Picanto performed better than well established models from several major European manufacturers including Renault (Twingo 1.2, 32.0 cents), Ford (Ka 1.3. 32.1 cents), GM-Opel (Agila 1.0, 32.4 cents), Volkswagen (Lupo 3L TDI, 33.6 cents) and Smart (Roadster 0.7 , 38.8 cents).
* (Source: ADAC Special Autokosten 2/2005)
ADAC Car Costs Survey 2005 Euro Cents / km
1 Kia Picanto 1.1 LX 5-door 30.2
2 Daihatsu Cuore 1.0 Plus 3-door 30.4
3 Diahatus Cuore 1.0 Plus 5-door 30.8
4 Suzuki Alto 1.1 Club 5-door 31.0
5 Hyundai Atos 1.1 5-door 31.1
6 Fiat Seicento 1.1 3-door 31.3
7 Citroen C2 1.1 3-door Advance 31.6
8 Diahatsu Cuore 1.0 Top 3-door 31.8
9 Citroen C2 1.1 3-door Style 31.9
10 Suzuki Alto 1.1 Comfort 32.0
(ends)
For further information:
Kia Automotive Australia Media Web Site:
Dinesh ChinnappaGeneral Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0439 577 776
Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail:
Edward Rowe
Public Relations Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8015
Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail: