If Scion Really Wants A Youthful Market Shouldn't They Start By Emulating Kia?

Following the debut in Daytona, Kinetic Motorsports has embarked on a header development program to improve engine breathing and oil levels, adjusted shifter cables to avoid overtravel and deliver more precise gear changes, and changed brake pedal feel based on driver feedback.  Recent testing revealed improvements in platform stability and braking response while reliability remains strong.

"While we were pleased to reach the track and the initial result in Daytona, we know there is a lot more potential in the Kia Forte Koups and we've already seen significant performance improvements since the first race," said Nic Jonsson, driver of the No. 10 car. "Despite the lack of racing experience in Kia's DNA, there is no question that we are headed in the right direction with the Forte Koup development program and we are confident we will be faster at Homestead and as the season progresses."

In their debut event, the No. 12 car piloted by the 2007 GRAND-AM ST champions Trevor Hopwood and Adam Burrows proved to be a reliable performer and finished 19th after starting in the 31st position. Meanwhile, the No. 10 car piloted by Nic Jonsson and Andy Lally provided an in-cockpit view of the race from its roof-mounted and in-car SPEED TV cameras, which will once again be utilized at Homestead.

In addition to mechanical refinements, the No. 10 and No. 12 Kia Forte Koups will also have a slightly altered appearance at Homestead with the addition of HD Radio Technology as an official sponsor of KMA's motorsports program. HD Radio Technology, invented by iBiquity Digital Corporation, is the DIGITAL evolution of AM and FM radio, adding new features like crystal-clear sound, new local FM channels, on-screen information and much more – all 100% Subscription Free. HD Radio Technology will be available on select 2011 model year Kia vehicles.

The Forte Koup's performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics are a perfect fit for road racing, making Kia Motors' first two-door coupe the logical choice for KMA's initial motorsports efforts. The two-door, front-wheel-drive race cars utilize the Forte Koup production car's 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine.



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Joe_Limon - 3/4/2010 3:26:28 PM

+6 Boost

LOL no! Kia's median buyer age is 52.

http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/23/kia-considering-changing-name-of-all-models-to-attract-younger-buyers/

izfuney - 3/4/2010 3:35:22 PM

+3 Boost

"The Forte Koup's performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics are a perfect fit for road racing, making Kia Motors' first two-door coupe the logical choice for KMA's initial motorsports efforts."

I almost gagged at that ... pretty much the reviews for the cars suggest that it drives like a regular econo shit box. Ohh boy, KIA must be paying the bills these days at Autospies.

Agent009 - 3/4/2010 3:45:40 PM

0 Boost

Hey it is a PR spin to say the least. But at least they are exhausting all avenues.

M35MT - 3/5/2010 4:15:11 PM

0 Boost

Nice 009, more toyota articles.

You still ignore the 1.3 million vehicle recall by GM

You also post an article saying toyota is trying to "lure" customers with 0% financing, well, where is your post on this?

GM to offer 0% APR for 60 months financing on most 2010 models: http://www.egmcartech.com/2010/03/04/gm-to-offer-0-apr-for-60-months-financing-on-most-2010-models/

thetruth01 - 3/4/2010 4:07:07 PM

+1 Boost

I fail to see the correlation between road racing and tapping into the youth market. Show me how it correlates please. Otherwise I'll just stick to the fact that Scion consistently has one of the lowest median ages of automakers. Kia does not.

91z4me - 3/4/2010 5:08:02 PM

0 Boost

How do they have such a low median (I assume you meant average) age? Everytime I see one it is by either an old white guy or an old white lady. I only know of 1 person under 30 who has one.

thetruth01 - 3/5/2010 12:56:26 PM

0 Boost

O I'm sorry, I forgot, your personal observations are much more accurate than actual industry numbers. Look it up, median, mean, whatever average number u choose to use, it's all over the internets.

91z4me - 3/5/2010 2:11:45 PM

+2 Boost

Median=the middle number when numbers are laid out from least to most.
Mean=average=add up all the numbers and divide by the number of numbers added.

They are two different statistical values. Median is often the most ignored statistical value. Mean is the most often cited statistical value, that is why I thought you meant mean.

I think you should change your tone a little bit. I simply cited my personal observation and asked how the number came about, no need to get a pissy like a 9 year old girl who had her ipod taken away.

800over - 3/4/2010 4:10:44 PM

+4 Boost

PR Spin did not create the title.....you did. How does this article's title end up having the word Scion in it?

XYZZ - 3/5/2010 3:30:39 AM

+2 Boost

EVERYONE KNOWS by now agent009 HAS to work toyota/lexus/scion into every thread title for it to get attention.

if the the story or thread is about one of the boring euro brands, it gets skipped over by 80% of the readers. (unless it can start a flame war; or makes insecure audi/vw/bmw fans leap about in ecstasy over cars they can't afford anyway.) (MB owners are more mature.)

uaw_lax - 3/4/2010 7:56:08 PM

+5 Boost

YOUNGEST BUYERS


1 - Scion tC - Average age of buyer is 35. GCBC Max: 45 years old
2 - VW GTI - Average age of buyer is 38. GCBC Max: 52 years old
3 - Mazda 3 - Average age of of buyer is 38. GCBC Max: 90 (sedan), 55 (hatchback)
4 - Mitsubishi Lancer - Average age of buyer is 39. GCBC Max: 60
5 - VW Rabbit - Average age of buyer is 39. GCBC Max: 65
6 - Nissan Armada - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 60
7 - VW Jetta - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 60
8 - Nissan Titan - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 60
9 - Nissan Xterra - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 45
10 - Mazda 6 - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 55
11 - Toyota Yaris - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 45


OLDEST BUYERS


1 - Ford Taurus - Average, 60. GCBC Minimum: 60
2 - Lincoln MKZ - Average, 60. GCBC Minimum: 55
3 - Toyota Avalon - Average, 60. GCBC Minimum: 59
4 - Mercury Montego - Average, 63. GCBC Minimum: 65
5 - Mercury Sable (same car) - Average, 65. GCBC Minimum: 65
6 - Ford Crown Victoria - Average, 66. GCBC Minimum: 70
7 - Cadillac DTS (must read) - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 70
8 - Buick Lucerne - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 73
9 - Buick LaCrosse/Allure - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 60
10- Mercury Grand Marquis - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 90
11 - Lincoln Town Car - Average, 69. GCBC Minimum: 117

800over - 3/5/2010 10:20:31 AM

0 Boost

It kills me that they close Saturn and keep Buick. Can't they see what's coming? In 10 years you'll lose half your sales to death!

91z4me - 3/5/2010 2:13:10 PM

+3 Boost

Buick sells WAY more vehicles in China than Saturn sold worldwide, not to mention US Buick sales. Buick can easily align with Opel (as the Regal now demonstrates) making Saturn unneeded.

XYZZ - 3/5/2010 4:20:53 AM

+2 Boost

"Following a top-20 finish in Kia Motors' first-ever auto race..."


this is AS NEWSWORTHY as a new toyota scandal about their tires being an off black instead of the proper shade.

even for a corporate "PR release" this is embarassing. come up with a story when they make a top 3 finish. agent009 must be getting desparate for new articles.

racinghart - 3/5/2010 4:36:33 AM

+3 Boost

"11 - Lincoln Town Car - Average, 69. GCBC Minimum: 117"

Crikey!

lexworld - 3/5/2010 1:10:38 PM

+2 Boost

uaw-lax is pretty much on the money. Like I've said in past times and that is, the baby-boomers still pay the bills on planet earth as a whole. Teens dont pay no bills. 25-35 are pretty much broke because the baby-boomers pretty much spent their inheritance a long time ago. Trust me, most baby-boomers would rather be seen in a Scion than a friggin Kia Agent009....man what a looser!