• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Kia to Sell Upholstery-Optional Rio

April 1, 2016 By Nadeem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 2016 Kia Rio Interior

Thanks to its record-low price, the 2016 Nissan Versa is dominating the affordable car market. But with the U.S. economy still down and automakers needing to increase sales, some marquees are eliminating basic features to decrease their prices and compete with the Versa for the position of most affordable new car in America.

One such brand is Kia Motors, which just announced it will offer its 2017 Rio sedan without upholstery.

In a press release published on Friday, the South Korean automaker detailed plans to make upholstery an optional package – priced at $4,165 – for its base LX trim. Without upholstery, the Rio’s price drops to $10,000, which is cheaper than the base-model Versa S by $1,900.

The upholstery package, dubbed “Comfort Plus,” includes headliner, cloth seats, door panel cards, carpet and a vinyl-trimmed steering wheel. In essence, it’s the same upholstery found in the current 2016 model, but now made optional to save customers money.

“Surveys have shown that affordable car buyers are more interested in safety and reliability than luxury,” said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer at Kia Motors. “By reducing the Rio’s cabin to its most basic elements, we’re able to decrease price without affecting performance.”

“We are excited to offer Kia buyers increased flexibility in their car-buying decisions,” he added.

Without the “Comfort Plus” package, the Rio will be a bare-bones affair. Drivers and passengers will sit on exposed foam cushions and be surrounded by metal and plastic — none of the soft-to-touch surfaces they’ve become accustomed to. It’s not clear how the lack of upholstery will affect power seat options and side-impact airbags.

Nevertheless, Schreyer says the change will be welcome by affordable car buyers and even tolerated by the aftermarket.

“It’s not likely that drivers or interior repair shops will mind the change, as it’s only an April Fool’s joke,” he said.

Filed Under: Archive, Odd News Tagged With: 2016 Nissan Versa, 2017 Kia Rio, April Fools' Day, Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • Big Z Fabric
  • Albright's Supply
  • Leather Craft
  • Douglass Interior Products

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Tandy Super Skiver

The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Unwilling to drop big bucks on a leather … [more] about The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

The Hog Ring - Watch Carlex Design Trim a Mercedes C43

Watch Carlex Design Trim a Mercedes C43

I don't know about you, but Carlex Design's … [more] about Watch Carlex Design Trim a Mercedes C43

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Faurecia flat-seam stitch

Faurecia Introduces Flat-Seam Stitching

Faurecia, one of the largest automotive … [more] about Faurecia Introduces Flat-Seam Stitching

The Hog Ring - Daniel Williams of DJ Designs Talks Shop

Daniel Williams of DJ Designs Talks Shop

In roughly 10 years, Daniel Williams has gone … [more] about Daniel Williams of DJ Designs Talks Shop

The Hog Ring - Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

No one believed us when we said trimmers at … [more] about Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

How to Hand Stitch a Steering Wheel Cover

Interested in learning how to hand stitch a … [more] about How to Hand Stitch a Steering Wheel Cover

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Rant: As Touch Screens Took Over, Interior Quality Suffered
  • Mistakes to Avoid When Starting an Auto Upholstery Business
  • Toyota’s Self-Cleaning Car Interior is a Germaphobe’s Dream
  • Would You Work for Free to Learn a Trade? Codee Mixon Did—and Now He’s the Boss
  • Scientists are Growing T-Rex Leather — and it Could Transform Cars

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in