Description
At Naamsa SA Auto Week 2026 in Durban, Cars.co.za sits down with Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull to look back on his second year at the helm: new launches, a slower-than-hoped start for the Tasman bakkie, the EV plans for 2027, and where the car market is heading.
In this episode:
Year two at Kia SA: the Tasman, Seltos and Carens launches; Carens setbacks: a diesel price spike and a factory fire at a supplier in India; why Tasman sales are disappointing, and Kia’s lifestyle-buyer strategy; Kia’s market share goal of 5% (currently around 4%) and its ninth place on the Naamsa table; EVs: the EV3 targeted for February or March 2027, and a Syros EV later in 2027; sourcing from China and India, including the Pegas sedan.
The market outlook: low-km 2026 models on dealer floors, interest rates and “someone has to give”
Resale values, Kia’s warranty, dealer network and multi-franchising
Why the next stage of hard work is people
Plus some Liverpool banter
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:47 Year two at Kia SA
1:58 Tasman, Seltos and Carens launches
2:42 Carens setbacks and sales so far
3:23 Tasman sales
4:07 Market share goal and Naamsa ranking
4:50 Tasman design and the bakkie market
7:25 EVs and the EV3
8:33 Syros EV and the SUV line-up
10:13 Sourcing from China and India
12:09 Market outlook and new nameplates
15:06 Resale values and warranty
17:23 Dealer network and multi-franchising
18:51 Why people matter as much as numbers
20:44 Liverpool banter
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