Kia Confirms "Eco" Cee'd Is a Go for Production

SEOUL, S. Korea — Kia Motors confirmed on Friday that it will build production versions of its green "Eco" Kia cee'd based on the positive reception to the Pro-cee'd concept shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Production of the new eco cee'd will kick off at the company's Zilina facility in Slovakia starting in December 2008, with sales starting early in 2009.

The Kia cee'd is the European sister vehicle to the Kia Spectra, which is sold in the U.S.
The new eco cee'd product lineup includes a five-door, three-door and wagon. The Frankfurt show concept was fitted with a 1.6-liter CRDi diesel engine that achieved a 17 percent reduction in fuel consumption over the standard model.

What this means for you: Good news for green-minded Euro buyers, and some positive spin-off effects for U.S. fans of the Kia Spectra.