KIA Stops Taking New Bookings for Sportage, Picanto and Carnival

As suspected,  right after Toyota IMC suspended bookings of its cars last week, KIA has come following. KIA Lucky Motors Corporation has also suspended the bookings of Sportage, Picanto and Carnival in Pakistan. 

According to the sources, the booking for KIA Grand Carnival is suspended for an indefinite period as the government has banned CBU imports in Pakistan. However, the bookings of Stonic and Sorento, which are also imported, are still open.

All the Same Reasons

The company didn’t provide any reason for the bookings suspension in its official notification. However, it’s highly probable that KIA motors will increase the price of its cars after the resumption of bookings. We have seen this trend growing lately. Auto manufacturers first suspend taking bookings, generate demand, raise prices and re-open bookings. 

Sources have also reported that this booking suspension is also due to the probable price increase that will be coming along with the resumption of bookings of KIA cars in Pakistan. Market volatility, exacerbated by an ever appreciating USD, which is trading above Rs.200 and an uncertain political situation have also contributed to the suspension of the bookings of KIA cars in Pakistan. 

It is worth reminding our readers that KIA did the same as recently as last month when it stopped taking bookings for its various models. 

Read more about last month’s suspension of bookings by KIA 

What do you think about this news? With imports of CBUs banned and suspended bookings of some locally-manufactured vehicles, do you think their demand and the demand for other cars will go up? Let us know in the comments below. 

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