Kia debuts open-air Soulster
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2009 Kia Soul'ster is introduced at the North American International Auto Show Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 in Detroit.
DETROIT–Kia Motors Corp. is making a pitch for the young and hip car shopper, introducing a funky open-air concept based on its upcoming Kia Soul.
Kia showed the Kia Soul'ster, an open-air utility vehicle designed to appeal to the youth market, on Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The concept has a two-piece canvas top and fold-flat passenger and rear seats to provide additional storage space.
The Soul, which was shown at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, will reach dealerships later this year.
Following the Soul'ster unveiling, 20-somethings clad in white tossed beach balls into the crowd and the automaker served a beach-themed spread of Corona beer and Mexican food.
Tom Loveless, Kia's vice president of sales, says no decisions on a production version of the Soul'ster have been made.
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