Kaliningrad Avtotor moved forward with another cross over by delivering units of the Soul alongside the Kia Seltos to dealers. Reports from socialbites.ca illuminate how the plant faced a year when production stalled due to gaps in component supplies from Korean partners, a setback tied to global supply chain pressures.
As the supply situation improved, vehicles began to arrive in larger numbers from Avtotor. Dealers in Moscow indicated that fresh shipments of Seltos and Soul were making their way to showrooms, marking a cautious but steady restart of deliveries after a pause caused by the disrupted imports. The vehicles arriving in Moscow and other major markets carried the branding and model names familiar to Kia customers, with some hints that certain batches bore manufacture dates from 2022, reflecting the timeframes of the initial recovery phase after the disruption.
A substantial flow of Kia vehicles was observed across major distribution routes, with car carriers loaded with Seltos and Soul vehicles reported in transit toward St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other key metropolitan areas within the Central Federal District. The logistics network during this period showed a renewed focus on reconnecting regional dealers with the supply chain, ensuring that popular models could reach the showroom floor in a timely manner despite the earlier setbacks.
The 2022 update for the Kia Soul introduced several exterior changes designed to refresh its visual appeal. Front and rear bumpers were redesigned, the radiator grille was enlarged, and headlights were integrated into a coordinated unit for a more cohesive appearance. The color palette was also revised to offer new choices for buyers, while the interior retained most of its familiar charm, with only the steering wheel controls receiving notable adjustments to improve ease of use during operation.
The updated Soul adopted a 2.0-liter gasoline engine delivering about 149 horsepower, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. This combination aimed to provide a balanced blend of everyday efficiency and practical performance for city driving and longer highway trips alike. The drivetrain updates were accompanied by minor interior refinements and a refreshed infotainment interface that aligned with modern consumer expectations for connectivity and ease of use.
In related industry chatter, there were early statements noting that another well-known brand, Lada Niva, would receive a new engine in 2025. This projection reflected ongoing efforts within the broader regional market to refresh aging lineups with more modern, capable powertrains, a trend observed across multiple brands adapting to evolving regulatory and consumer demands. The focus remained on delivering reliable performance while maintaining accessibility for a wide range of buyers across Russia and neighboring markets.