Kia axes plan for EcoDynamics branding in U.S.
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrid</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/kia/" rel="tag">Kia</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/diesel/" rel="tag">Diesel</a></p><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid/#1449520"><img vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/kia-hybrid-car.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>Kia Forte EcoDynamics LPI Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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When <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/kia/">Kia Motors</a> unveiled <a href="http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/24/kia-introduces-production-forte-lpi-hybrid-in-south-korea/">its EcoDynamics sub-brand</a> at last year's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, the company claimed its new badge would begin to appear on U.S.-bound models soon. In fact, Kia promised that its eco-friendly moniker would be attached to several models sold worldwide. Now, Orth Hedrick, director-product planning at Kia Motors America, tells <em>Ward's Auto</em> that the company has nixed plans to introduce the <a href="http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/03/frankfurt-preview-kia-to-show-ceed-and-sorrento-hybrid-concept/">EcoDynamics name</a> in the U.S. Hedrick cited cost issues as the primary reason for the company's reversal, stating:<blockquote>
<div><em>The issue is it's yet another brand. And given the fact we're trying to allocate our resources to other areas that make the most sense, does it make sense to introduce another brand out there?</em></div>
</blockquote> The U.S. automotive market, in its still-depressed state, simply cannot support additional brands. The Detroit Three have pared down by axing <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/pontiac/">Pontiac</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/saturn/">Saturn</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/hummer/">Hummer</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mercury/">Mercury</a>, so Kia's move to drop EcoDynamics fits the trend. Jim Hume of Phire Branding Co. says Kia's decision makes sense. Hume told <em>Ward's</em>: <blockquote>
<div><em>My guess is that they realized the concept of EcoDynamics created not only another brand, but also created the need to educate consumers - an expensive proposition. In this particular case the delineation is tricky. Kia setting apart Earth-friendly vehicles via a sub-brand may have taken away from any Earth-friendly story in Kia-branded vehicles. It is better to highlight everything Kia is doing under one strong brand umbrella.</em></div>
</blockquote>Though the EcoDynamics badge will not adorn Kia's U.S.-bound models, the fuel-saving innovations and other elements that were to be featured under the new sub-brand are already appearing on some Kia models headed to dealerships across the nation.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid">Kia Forte LPI Hybrid</a></strong></p><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/kia-forte-lpi-rear_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/kia-hybrid-car_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/kia-forte-lpi_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/kia-forte-hybrid_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/kia-forte-lpi-hybrid/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/kia-eco-dynamics-forte-2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://wardsauto.com/ar/kia_ecodynamics_sub-brand_100824/">Ward's Auto</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/kia-axes-plan-for-ecodynamics-branding-in-u-s/">Kia axes plan for EcoDynamics branding in U.S.</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://wardsauto.com/ar/kia_ecodynamics_sub-brand_100824/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/kia-axes-plan-for-ecodynamics-branding-in-u-s/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19610134/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/kia-axes-plan-for-ecodynamics-branding-in-u-s/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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