Kia says goodbye to the Soul after 16 years of production
Kia America officially announced that the last production version of the Soul hatchback will roll off the assembly line by the end of October. Over the past decade and a half, more than 1.5 million vehicles of this model were sold in the USA alone.
What is known
The Soul debuted in 2009 with a design that went against all trends. While most compact cars of the time were rounded and faceless, the Soul stood out with its angular shapes.
The American design team at Kia acknowledged that the inspiration came from a “boar with a backpack” — they wanted to create a sturdy and practical car without unnecessary size. When the concept reached production, this shape remained and became a hit.
Unconventional advertising also helped. Animated hamsters danced to Black Sheep and LMFAO, presenting the Soul as the coolest club on wheels.
Over the years, the Soul has turned into a sort of experimental platform. Concepts with open roofs and even track versions emerged.
The peak sales of the Kia Soul occurred in 2015, after which the figures never returned to previous heights. However, there are still a few thousand Souls ready for sale at dealerships in the USA.
Source: Kia America
