..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
As part of its continuous products offensive, Kia Motors showcased the ruggedness and other contemporary features of the 2013 Kia Cerato during a 300-kilometres test drive in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, recently, ahead of the arrival of the new sedan in Nigeria, writes Olaolu Olusina
It was a test drive like never before in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), recently, as international motoring journalists gathered for the test drive of the 2013 Kia Cerato which is expected to arrive the Nigerian market within the next two months.
Apparently out to score a point that it has, indeed, become a force to be reckoned with in the global automobile manufacturing business, the Korean auto giant, Kia Motors Company, broke all the odds and eventually made history as the first auto manufacturer to embark on such a huge road show. The test drive which was coordinated by Nomad Events, an international events management company, and the publicity it generated globally was also part of the continuous products offensive by Kia and its ongoing plans to introduce 50 Kia models between 2012 and 2016.
The choice of Dubai was also a plus as the country offers a good road network with the highways there making such road show a delight. On display for the tasking test drive were 40 brand new Kia Cerato cars sourced from a leading Dubai dealership and driven interchangeably in a convoy by 80 international auto journalists who were guided through the 300 kilometres journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back by three vehicles manned by road marshals as well as other marshals on motor bikes.
It was, indeed, a raw test of the ruggedness of the new generation Cerato sedan, its fuel efficiency, as it ran on a full tank without refueling, as well as other contemporary features which make the car the “beautiful bride.” Maneuvering their way through the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, the beautiful scenery by the road sides and the sand dunes as well as the camels in Arabian desert provided the drivers a big relief from the hectic test drive.
With stop-overs at the Bab Al Shams Hotel and Resort, Abu Dhabi, for lunch at the Al Hadheiram Restaurant and a coffee break on the return journey at The Sevens Rugby Club and Sports Centre along the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, the experience in the new compact sedan with the best-in-style design, indeed, explains why over 500,000 units of Cerato are sold globally annually, making it the fastest selling model.
With a resolve to make qualitative growth in 2013 following its nine percent growth in sales in 2012 with 2,710,017 units of Kia vehicles sold globally, the Korean auto giant said it hopes to increase its sales to 2,750,000 units this year with plans to introduce six new generation models, including the new Cadenza, Cerato Coupe as well as the Optima mid-size sedan.
This article was first published in THISDAY (www.thisdaylive.com) on February 9, 2013