Kia slashes prices and offers free fuel

KIA'S new factory-backed Australian distributor has kicked off its first sales campaign by slashing driveaway prices and offering the chance to win $2000 worth of fuel.

In what Kia calls its "most comprehensive national advertising and promotional package ever", the first national Kiathon sales marathon runs for the month of May.

Anyone who test drives any new Kia during the promotion at any of the brand's 119 dealers across Australia goes into a draw to win the free fuel.

As well as new driveaway prices, Kia's "ambient theatre" campaign involves Kia promotional staff at drink stations in busy city locations, where they are offered cold drinks and Kia water bottles.

As part of Kiathon, the 1.6-litre Rio manual hatch or sedan is available at $15,990 driveaway, while the 2.0-litre Cerato manual hatch or sedan is priced at $18,990 driveaway.

Meantime, the Kia Optima V6 auto is priced at $24,990 driveaway and the Sportage V6 auto is priced at $29,990 driveaway - the same driveaway price as the manual LS Carnival.

Finally, Sorento V6 manual is set at $33,990 driveaway during May.

Curiously, Kia's new 3.8-litre V6 Grand Carnival eight-seat people-mover is available at $37,990 plus on-road costs during Kiathon - $1000 more than the entry price set by previous Kia importer Ateco Automotive in January.