The Kia Mohave, undergoing significant updates, was slated for release in South Korea in 2019 but is now set to cease production in just two months.
Originally introduced in the United States as the Borgo, the Kia Mohave had a short-lived presence in the country, only available in the US market in 2009 before being discontinued due to lackluster sales. However, production of the long chassis continued in other markets and remains ongoing in South Korea. However, it seems the Mohave's time has come to an end as production is scheduled to halt in July at the Hwasong factory, with declining sales cited as the reason, according to ET Magazine.
Tighter pollution regulations are also a factor in the Mohave's departure from the production line. Sales of the long-wheelbase chassis plummeted to just 257 units in April. With the Mohave being phased out, the production capacity freed up will be redirected towards manufacturing more Sorento models and the forthcoming Tasman pickup. Kia reportedly plans to temporarily suspend operations at the plant from late July to mid-August to reconfigure production lines for these changes.
The Mohave holds the distinction of being one of Kia's oldest vehicles, first introduced in 2008 and receiving a facelift in 2016. Although a new version dubbed the second generation was unveiled in 2019, it was essentially a significant facelift. The original Mohave, designed by Peter Schreyer, boasted a three-row long chassis powered by a 3-liter V6 turbodiesel engine producing 256 horsepower and 560 Newton meters of torque. The Mohave is currently priced starting at $37,000, reaching $45,600 for the most expensive configuration.
With the introduction of the second-generation Mohave, Kia opted to withdraw from the U.S. market, a market that presented challenges upon Borgo's initial entry. This included the tumultuous economic climate during the Great Depression of 2009 and rising fuel prices, which led to a decline in demand for large SUVs and contributed to Borgo's lack of success. However, Kia later found success with the three-row Telluride crossover in the U.S. market. Additionally, the company caters to consumers seeking enhanced off-road capabilities with the X-Line versions of the Sorento and Telluride.