Toronto, Ontario — In a video taken by a Kia employee of a meeting between a Kia Canada regional manager and Ontario dealer reps, the automaker announced plans to withhold year-end vehicle deliveries to dealerships.
As described in the video, the reason for this delay—which will be affecting dealerships in Ontario and possibly dealerships across all of Canada—is an effort from the automaker to secure marketing funds from Kia headquarters in 2024 by reducing sales numbers.
To do this, vehicles will be withheld and instead kept on manufacturer compounds in storage rather than delivered to customers.
In the video of the meeting, the Kia Canada regional manager says that “with the global slowdown, Kia Canada wants to control wholesale and retail performance in 2023, [and] to not show high overachievement.”
Dealer reps have responded negatively to this plan saying that the move “shows a complete lack of respect for every dealer in Canada and our customers”—many of whom have been waiting for over a year for a vehicle.
Kia dealer reps have been informed to tell customers who complain about the issue that the blame can be placed on “logistical issues” and shipping delays.
As of the time of writing, Kia Canada and Kia Headquarters have not made statements concerning the video.
