It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of an emblematic model in the realm of compact Korean cars and sensational spelling: the Kia Forte Koup. Kia representative James Hope revealed in a statement to CarsDirect that the company will discontinue the budget-friendly two-door model. “In order to align with our customers’ purchasing trends, KMA will cease production of the two-door Koup after the remaining 2016 model inventory is sold out.”
As gasoline prices decreased and sales of crossovers surged, demand for affordable compact cars like the Kia Forte Koup declined, ultimately leading to its discontinuation. The situation is further exacerbated by the strong performance of its primary rival, the well-regarded Honda Civic Coupe. Nevertheless, Kia remains committed to other models in the Forte lineup, stating that “Kia Motors America (KMA) is dedicated to maintaining competitiveness and leadership in the compact car market, as demonstrated by recent upgrades to the Forte sedan and Forte5 for the 2017 model year.”
The latest Kia Forte starts at $19,890, but it is likely that the Forte Koup can be found for a significantly lower price when factoring in rebates and dealer discounts. For those interested in scoring a bargain on this alleged Fiesta ST competitor, it may be wise to act quickly in light of today’s announcement.
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