Every automaker is influenced heavily by the market and consumer demand, but they also have to try to predict what vehicles will be successful.
Every vehicle that’s built is somewhat of a gamble for the automaker to be one that could sell well and bring about the profits desired. For this reason, most automakers also gauge what’s successful from the competition to see what might be successful from their own lineup. These market influences lead to the development of the models that we either look at as the right ones to drive or to models that we turn our noses up at.
Kia has announced plans to build a full-size SUV that will be based on the Telluride Concept that was shown at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. This SUV could market the return to the full-size SUV market for Kia which has been void of a model at this level for a long time. If you don’t remember the full-size SUV that was offered in the past, it’s because the Kia Borrego was sold just as gas prices began to skyrocket, which made it the wrong item at the wrong time because of a lack of efficiency.
The Market Influences
Kia has kept a sharp eye on the market to see what models are successful and have a strong following. What they’ve found is the new three-row crossovers of the Volkswagen Atlas and Subaru Ascent are both considered impressive and engaging models that have customers ready to spend their money to drive them. As these two models bring their brands back into the full-size crossover SUV market, it only makes sense that Kia would do the same and bring us a vehicle that can comfortably fit seven people while offering excellent cargo room as well.
While the team at Kia hasn’t confirmed the new Telluride Concept that will eventually be a production model will make its way to all global markets, the fact they are working on this SUV is a positive sign for the North American market. Both the Subaru Ascent and the Volkswagen Atlas are being offered in this market and you would expect another three-row large SUV to do the same. Our market is one that has been filled with the larger vehicles that can take advantage of the wide open spaces and large roads that we love to travel on a regular basis.
When the Telluride Concept was shown in 2016 it was powered by a hybrid powertrain that starts with a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with an electric motor to give it 400 horsepower. This may be the powertrain used by Kia since the brand is turning toward hybrid and EV models for the future. A large SUV that enters the market with room for the entire family, a hybrid powertrain that’s both powerful and efficient, and an affordable price will be one that we are certain to desire and put on the road for the ride we need to make on a daily basis. The Telluride Concept will be an excellent future SUV to drive.
