Kia Pride Hybrid (Rio)

Kia is developing its first Hybrid car on Pride (Rio in North America) sedan in Korea now. It's been more than two years since Kia/Hyundai operates about 1300 Hybrid cars in Korean Government as a test model. They are supposed to add about 2000 Hybrid vehicles this year 2008 with upgraded version. So far, Kia/Hyundai are developing on Sportage/Tucson with Fuel-Cell engine and Rio/Click with Hybrid

I had a chance to seat in Kia Pride Hybrid first version, 2006 model. It seemed quite similar to original Pride when I sat in the car but I found a difference when it drove on the road. The transition between Hybrid(Electrical motor) engine and gasoline one was not smooth at all, and it had too much noise and shock at the same time. However, everything else looked same but Hybrid Sign on the dashboard. While MPG is one of key factors making a success in Hybrid car model, however, Kia Pride Hybrid didn't meet the standard. Its MPG was just slightly better than its original Pride. Even the price of the car is very expensive, so it doens't make the Pride to be economical like the Prius. Kia has a long way to go still in Hybrid world of automobile.

But, Kia upgraded with better specs in 2008 Hybrid model, it maybe equivalent to the competitors on the market. Hyudai/Kia group even has a plan to produce LPG/Hybrid car which is very gas-saver.

Started with Toyota Prius, Honda, BMW and American automakers now make Hybrid model, that brings their competitiveness upscale with more margin. Even though Kia/Hyundai don't have any Hybride selling in the market right now, we'll see how they make progress after its long test period. I think the Korean Automaker might have regretted over their efforts to make Fuel-Cell based car before they can make Hybrid, the transition before the alternative to gasoline.