Car & Driver luxury sedan ranking
06-12-19, 02:38 PM
#31
Lexus Champion
I have yet to see a redesigned K900 on the road, but I, too, am impressed with the whole design and quality of the vehicle. That being said, I think Kia is still a long way from being able to compete with the established German/Asian brands in this segment due to one reason - their name. Sure people have moved beyond the Kia name in many segments, but if someone was shopping for a 5/7-series, E-class, etc., the Kia wouldn't even be on their radar. I think most K900 sales will be from people already shopping Kia for maybe an Optima and being up-sold on the K900.
06-12-19, 03:03 PM
#32
That's on par with what the old generation was selling. I really don't think these are on anyone's radar. I think these are being sold to people who go in for one model and get up-sold for only $100/month more LOL.
06-12-19, 09:31 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (20)
no not on the G90 because it’s now a generation behind the K900. but the big time refresh is coming later this year or next year and will have lots of new goodies i’m sure.
06-13-19, 05:16 AM
#35
Pole Position
That being said, I think Kia is still a long way from being able to compete with the established German/Asian brands in this segment due to one reason - their name. I think most K900 sales will be from people already shopping Kia for maybe an Optima and being up-sold on the K900.
06-13-19, 06:44 AM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Interesting point. They appear to have made a beautiful car - but the sales figures referenced in an earlier thread are just abysmal. I wonder what they can/will do to try to get people to seek out the K900 instead of being upsold into one? At $60k starting price, it sure seems to offer room and appointments not found in other sedans of similar price point. I would love to know the psychological mindset(s) of buyers that Kia is honing in on to try and change. Is it the buyer looking at a 1-2 year old A8L, LS, etc where the price has come down to $65k? Is it the brand loyalist who is unwilling to give Kia a try? Is it brand snobbery? Is it the dealership experience (so many other cars being sold at a low price point changing the feel of the service experience, etc)?
06-13-19, 06:55 AM
#37
Pole Position
When you say "LC" if you are referring to LandCruiser, they don't sell in big numbers because the supply is low (same with LX)... I think you are talking about two different issues at play.
06-13-19, 07:01 AM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Perhaps a little off-topic, but, before making that statement, let's see how the new Telluride sells. You are claiming that the sedan market is dying....maybe the public will spring for an upmarket Kia crossover SUV.
I'll at least partly agree with you there. I often talk with new-car buyers (and prospective new-car buyers) who are even more stubborn than, well...........me LOL. 
The problem is American culture
06-13-19, 07:08 AM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
But it let’s get back to the 900. I see nothing wrong with it. Sales numbers are irrelevant, if they sell 100 a month, good for them.
06-13-19, 07:12 AM
#40
Lexus Champion
Interesting point. They appear to have made a beautiful car - but the sales figures referenced in an earlier thread are just abysmal. I wonder what they can/will do to try to get people to seek out the K900 instead of being upsold into one? At $60k starting price, it sure seems to offer room and appointments not found in other sedans of similar price point. I would love to know the psychological mindset(s) of buyers that Kia is honing in on to try and change. Is it the buyer looking at a 1-2 year old A8L, LS, etc where the price has come down to $65k? Is it the brand loyalist who is unwilling to give Kia a try? Is it brand snobbery? Is it the dealership experience (so many other cars being sold at a low price point changing the feel of the service experience, etc)?
06-13-19, 07:23 AM
#41
Pole Position
You're 100% right. My thoughts were more around the potential tipping point Kia could reach if they could flip North American mindsets with a luxury sedan.
06-13-19, 07:26 AM
#42
Lexus Fanatic
But it let’s get back to the 900. I see nothing wrong with it. Sales numbers are irrelevant, if they sell 100 a month, good for them.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-13-19 at 07:32 AM.
06-13-19, 07:29 AM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
The Genesis G80 and G90, even with their own fairly low sales numbers, are probably impacting at least some of the K900 sales in North America. That's one reason why Hyundai dropped the Equus....the G90 essentially replaced it.
Even though they are unquestionably generally doing quite well as it is, one potential problem that the Koreans have, in the U.S., with their vehicles, is that they tune the suspensions for a slightly firmer ride, thinking that that is what Americans want (in other words, they listen to the auto press, and not necessarily the public itself). In Korea, the public likes mush-mobiles, the auto press has little influence, and that is how the suspensions and tires are done in that market.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-13-19 at 07:38 AM.
06-13-19, 07:30 AM
#44
Lexus Fanatic
06-13-19, 07:36 AM
#45
Lexus Champion
I think that's probably fair. I think the K900 is nice and I do respect it, but I would most likely choose a G80 over the K900.