Kia Motors has been working on the Sonet sub-compact SUV, which will be its third product in the Indian market. But there is a bit of disappointing news now for the South-Korean automaker as the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion which falls under the Ministry of Industry & Commerce of the Government of India has rejected the 'Sonet' moniker. The company had originally submitted three applications with different names which were Sonet, Kia Sonet and Sonet Concept. Though, we haven't been able to find out the exact reason behind the objection in 'Sonet' moniker.
However, our friends at 91wheels say that the Indian Government rejected the 'Sonet' nameplate application of Kia as it is already owned by Sonet Sanitarywares in the country. Kia Sonet was also showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo as a Concept in February. The company had hinted at that time that the production-ready version will also, in all likelihood, be called Sonet. It will be Kia's third offering in the Indian market after Seltos SUV and Carnival MPV. It is expecting a similar response from the Sonet on the lines of Seltos and Carnival. Underpinning the same platform as the Hyundai Venue, it will be a premium offering and come loaded with several segment-first features while sharing the same set of engines as the Venue.
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Kia Sonet will be the most affordable company model in the Indian market. It will be placed in the sub-compact SUV segment which is already crowded by the presence of stalwarts like Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV300. Though, insiders tell us that the Sonet will be a notch ahead in terms of comfort and features. The company's other two models, predominantly the Seltos has achieved huge success in the Indian market as it has been the best-seller SUV for the last 6 months or so. It has constantly sold in excess of 8000+ units in the country. Kia has similar hopes from Sonet or whatever it will be named eventually, in India.