Kia Rio's K3 Variant Excludes Australia

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【Summary】Kia unveils new K3 Rio, but it won't be available in Australia due to lack of right-hand drive manufacturing. The focus is on developing markets with lenient safety and emissions standards.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 7:13 AM PT

The upcoming release of the new K3 model brings exciting news for car enthusiasts. However, it is unfortunate that the K3 will not be available for purchase in Australia. This decision is due to the fact that the vehicle will not be manufactured in a right-hand drive configuration, which is necessary for driving in Australia.

Instead, the focus of the new K3 model will be on developing markets. These markets, such as Latin America, the Middle East, and South-East Asia, have less stringent safety and emissions standards compared to Australia. This strategic decision allows the company to cater to the specific needs and regulations of these regions.