Dealers in Ontario

[mwason]

I find the Kia dealers in Ontario very uninformed about EV's in general. I walked into one dealership in Toronto that advertized the car on their website and there were no sales people that could answer basic questions like rate of charge, KM/s per charge and charging adapters. I walked into another dealership and they told me that only 3 places in Canada are authorized to sell the vehicle. He did not give me the names as each dealer is in competition with each other.

Are there any EV friendly dealers in Ontario?

 

[irfca]

There are 3 dealers in the GTA: Toronto Kia, Richmond Hill Kia and Meadowvale Kia (Mississauga). Outside the GTA, there is 1 dealership in the Ottawa area that also sells the Soul EV. Across Canada there is suppose to be 11 dealerships ... the other centers are Vancouver and Montreal, I believe. In October/14, I 'discovered' Toronto Kia by calling around to 4 different dealerships to inquire about the Soul EV ... some knew nothing about it, others 'had heard' Toronto Kia was authorized.

Each of those dealerships have at least 1 sales person who is (or should be) knowledgeable about the Soul EV. There are 3 new Black/Red SOUL EVs coming into Ontario (arrive by train today around 2pm EDT!!), one to each of Toronto, Richmond Hill and the Ottawa dealership. I will be receive the one going to Toronto Kia. They will also have it available for limited test driving (50km max, side streets only) until I pick it Monday evening - Gregory is the sales person at Toronto Kia that is the Soul EV specialist (tell him Ian sent you ). As for dealing with Toronto Kia, my experience has been mostly positive ... just a lot of waiting and false hope as Kia Corp switched around supply with seemingly little regard for pre-sales.

Supply of Soul EVs is extremely limited in Canada ... from various sources, 24 came in for last October's release date (2 to each of the 11 dealerships + 2 demo cars). From what I gathered, there were not many in this shipment - and most of them when to Montreal. There may not be more for anywhere from 2 - 6 months. Also, it sounds like there is a growing waiting list for orders ... hopefully Kia Canada is able to secure more supply and Kia Corp realizes they need to supply existing demand for early adopters vs landing cars on lots in California for immediate sales.

I know I personally would never had considered a Kia if it were not for this particular vehicle - and then mostly because it meets the range I need (~100 km round trip to work with good reserve over that). I looked at all the EVs available that I could afford (i.e. not the Tesla), and was very excited about the Soul EV ... still would have preferred Titanium Grey, but the Black/Red is pretty cool looking too!

 

[LFFarm]

I just got mine yesterday from Kia on Hunt club in Ottawa. I ordered a luxury one back in October but they sent a base by accident so I took it anyway. Only thing I feel I missed out on was the heat pump. Otherwise I'm thrilled to finally have it!

 

[irfca]

I just got mine yesterday from Kia on Hunt club in Ottawa. I ordered a luxury one back in October but they sent a base by accident so I took it anyway. Only thing I feel I missed out on was the heat pump. Otherwise I'm thrilled to finally have it!

Congrats! That is great! Did you happen to run your VIN through one of the VIN decoders? I checked mine, and it indicates "Trim +", so I hope that is correct! ... I'd miss the heat pump too - I'm hoping it helps with range anxiety!

 

[beaker]

Hi,

irfca: How (where) do you check VIN through one of the VIN decoders?

Thanks

 

[irfca]

Hi,
irfca: How (where) do you check VIN through one of the VIN decoders?

Google provides many choices ... some charge, some don't. I've been using:
http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Kia
It gives the details (although strangely not the manufacturing date), along with an extensive parts list.

 

[kevingg]

As for me, I check VINs on epicvin.com website. It is a really great and affordable service for such a purpose. Have a look there too

 

[Ever]

There are 3 dealers in the GTA: Toronto Kia, Richmond Hill Kia and Meadowvale Kia (Mississauga). Outside the GTA, there is 1 dealership in the Ottawa area that also sells the Soul EV. Across Canada there is suppose to be 11 dealerships ... the other centers are Vancouver and Montreal, I believe. In October/14, I 'discovered' Toronto Kia by calling around to 4 different dealerships to inquire about the Soul EV ... some knew nothing about it, others 'had heard' Toronto Kia was authorized.

Each of those dealerships have at least 1 sales person who is (or should be) knowledgeable about the Soul EV. There are 3 new Black/Red SOUL EVs coming into Ontario (arrive by train today around 2pm EDT!!), one to each of Toronto, Richmond Hill and the Ottawa dealership. I will be receive the one going to Toronto Kia. They will also have it available for limited test driving (50km max, side streets only) until I pick it Monday evening - Gregory is the sales person at Toronto Kia that is the Soul EV specialist (tell him Ian sent you ). As for dealing with Toronto Kia, my experience has been mostly positive ... just a lot of waiting and false hope as Kia Corp switched around supply with seemingly little regard for pre-sales.

Supply of Soul EVs is extremely limited in Canada ... from various sources, 24 came in for last October's release date (2 to each of the 11 dealerships + 2 demo cars). From what I gathered, there were not many in this shipment - and most of them when to Montreal. There may not be more for anywhere from 2 - 6 months. Also, it sounds like there is a growing waiting list for orders ... hopefully Kia Canada is able to secure more supply and Kia Corp realizes they need to supply existing demand for early adopters vs landing cars on lots in California for immediate sales.

I know I personally would never had considered a Kia if it were not for this particular vehicle - and then mostly because it meets the range I need (~100 km round trip to work with good reserve over that). I looked at all the EVs available that I could afford (i.e. not the Tesla), and was very excited about the Soul EV ... still would have preferred Titanium Grey, but the Black/Red is pretty cool looking too!

Does anyone know if they are any more than the 3 dealerships in the GTA? I was told by someone there might be a total of 6.

 

[Beachman]

I just picked mine up from Toronto KIA a few days ago, who said they actually have some in stock with no waiting - a few base models and one of the new grey ones with the sunroof. So if anyone is looking, I'd act fast.

 

[Ever]

I just picked mine up from Toronto KIA a few days ago, who said they actually have some in stock with no waiting - a few base models and one of the new grey ones with the sunroof. So if anyone is looking, I'd act fast.

Where is Toronto Kia? Is that the one in the East End?

 

[kunundrum]

yeah on Danforth.

 

[Beachman]

yes - east end near Woodbine & Danforth.