Some name changing may be on the Kia agenda for the U.S. market.? Hyundai Motor Co. Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun told an Automotive News reporter Kia?s is considering changing its U.S. lineup nomenclature from product names to alphanumerics.
In South Korea and some other markets, the names are already partially alphanumeric.?? For example, the mid-sized sedan known as the Optima in the U.S. is named the K5, a large sedan known as Cadenza in some markets — but not yet sold in the United States — is named the K7, and the Forte likely will become the K3.

Many Kia vehicles, such as the Morning, Pride, Koup, Soul and Sportage still retain their English nomenclature in South Korea so there is no clue about name changes for those vehicles.
Chung said he understands American buyers may prefer a car with a name, especially if an extended product lineup makes alphanumerics confusing.