Did Kia MISS With The New York Fashion Week Debut Of The All-new Telluride?

This past weekend, Kia Motors decided to debut its very first full-size sport-utility vehicle. This is a major moment for the Korean marque simply because it is going to square up with a lot of the luxury players and wade into uncharted territory.

The all-new Telluride could be the first luxury-oriented Kia that actually sells in volume.

There's just one thing that I can't seem to get past. The company debuted the Telluride at New York Fashion Week. To be more specific, at the runway show of Brandon Maxwell.

Who?

Unless you're a part of the high fashion scene, the name won't exactly ring a bell.

This begs the question: Why was this the ideal venue for a seven-seater SUV that's going to be making trips to local ballparks rather than fashion houses known for their couture wardrobes? Wouldn't it have been better to make a reveal during the upcoming World Series or, say, incorporate it into the start of the NBA season given that Kia is an official partner with the basketball league?

Having said that, I've got to ask: Did Kia MISS with its New York Fashion Week debut of the all-new Telluride?

TomM - 9/12/2018 6:58:10 AM

+1 Boost

Since so few people actually attend the unveiling of a new model - even if it is in an Auto Show - IT really makes no difference - because the media covers the unveiling anyway. Most get their information about new vehicles from Autospies - months if not years in advance and do not have to waste time going to a structured event anyway. What did we learn about the vehicle that has not been reported - incuding whether MATT loves it or not?

Truthy - 9/12/2018 7:45:34 AM

+2 Boost

The interior looks great for the class. The exterior looks like much of the rest of the class. It is hard to break new ground stylistically.

MDarringer - 9/12/2018 8:17:45 AM

-10 Boost

Turning over a Telluride to a group of pissy queens to interpret their version of what is butch has made the Telluride a laughing stock. It was a foolish blunder on Kia's part.

mre30 - 9/12/2018 10:03:39 AM

+1 Boost

This Kia has been on this board for almost a week...so no, I don't think it was a blunder.

Tasteful/tasteless - any publicity is good. Plus, strip away all the 'camper-bondage' stuff and the Kia is actually one of the better looking vehicles in the segment. Its better looking than the Honda Pilot, better looking than they new Subaru (can't remember its name) and certainly better looking than the Highlander.

'A OK' as far as PR goes.

cidflekken - 9/12/2018 2:28:15 PM

+2 Boost

Kia will have plenty of opportunities to showcase this new SUV. This was probably a one-off opportunity that just happened along. Maybe the fashionista drives a Kia, heard they were debuting an SUV and had some whimsical idea on how to present it as part of his showcase. And you know what, it's getting attention, right? Two articles on Autospies and write-ups across the industry, mostly very positive.