But prices of these features aren't out of line. The Rio is a new model for Kia in the 2001 model year. The company said it planned to sell 50,000 Rios a year. Late in calendar 2000, the company sold 16,624 Rios. Another 12,234 were sold in the first quarter of 2001, putting the automaker on track to meet or exceed its annual sales target.
Many buyers are likely to be young and cash-strapped.
Company officials have said that nearly a third of Rio buyers are expected to have not yet graduated from high school. The Daewoo Lanos follows closely on the Rio as an inexpensive new car. Because the Rio is a new model, Consumer Reports does not provide a reliability rating.