The Swedes have a Volvo and they’ve had a Saab too for a long time. They’re big on trucks and they’re behind the Koenigsegg supercar.
We Norwegians don’t have much to brag about. But we are in one area where cars are in a special situation: namely, in electric cars. It is observed outside our borders.
Usually we Norwegians travel to Sweden. Not only to buy cheap arctic goods, snuff and meatballs – but also to watch auto and car news.
But the world is not what it used to be. Recently, car journalists from several European countries went to Norway to drive a completely new car model, among them a group of Swedes.
A small press brief with a review of the car with news, various data, facts, etc. is required before departure. These are the Swedish auto journalists who are making a rare visit to Norway.
European launch in Oslo
Kia brought the launch of its new Niro here to Norway. It’s not every day at all. Spain, France or southern Germany are more common.
But now it’s Norway’s turn. These are schemes that require a lot of preparation in terms of housing and dining in various places and attractive surroundings where journalists can take beautiful photos and various driving routes, to name a few.
Usually such events take place over a period of two weeks, since every day new groups of journalists from different countries come.
By the Kia Niro, the participants were first flown to Gardermoen. Then by air train from Gardermoen to Oslo S. Then there was a press conference on the top floor of Oslo Plaza, with a view of the fjord, the opera district and the barcode. It is important to show what we are proud of when we are on an international visit.
Tommy Wahlstrom, of Sweden’s ViBilägare, appreciated the short-haul launch of the car to Norway.
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– I’m not in Norway very often
The driving route first went on idyllic little roads to Drøbak, where there was a lunch stop with legendary fish soup, to Skipperstuen on the pier. Then it continued driving further down the Sun, before backing off the motorway. In this way, the cars were tested both on winding roads, small hills and at higher speeds on the highway.
Kia has achieved great success in Sweden. One of the Swedes who came to test the Kia Niro was Tommy Wahlström, of ViBilägare, Sweden’s largest car magazine and also has a large website. He has 22 years of experience as an automotive journalist and has been involved in countless car launches and tests around the world.
“I really don’t get to work in Norway very often, and I don’t remember when I was here last,” he says.
– But she was so nice with a short ride. A short hour’s flight from Stockholm, then a short train ride – and here we are. There are often long flights, layovers, and flight changes, so that was cute, he’s smiling behind his beard.
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The new Kia Niro EV is evaluated and photographed. The car is also suitable in Sweden where Kia sells well.
It’s almost as if you don’t believe it
He also says that the electric version of the Kia Niro was the best-selling electric car in Sweden last month. Therefore, it is very important to drive it now.
Sweden, like everyone else, is far from you when it comes to electrifying the car fleet. But we will follow. This is certain. Sales of electric cars are steadily increasing. I found it really cool to stand on a sidewalk here in Oslo and look at all the electric cars in traffic. I’ve read about it and talked to you with Norwegian auto journalists about it – but even so, it’s as if I didn’t think about what I saw…
He also says, with a small dose of pride in his voice, that he, on behalf of ViBilägare, will take part in the next NAF and Motor test. Then there will be a new trip to Norway for the cheerful Swede.
– There were great, fun ways here to Drøbak. Here you have to correctly put the structure to the test. The fish soup also tasted great and this was a nice spot, he says, overlooking the fjord from the pier at Drøbak.
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Without food and drink…Lunch, with fish soup, stopped at an idyllic drawback after the first stage.
Hope to get to Holmenkollen
He is also intrigued by the fact that there are so many electric cars in the yards and it seems everyone has their own charging box.
– In the suburban areas of Sweden, many people live in different apartment complexes with shared car parking and in apartment complexes. I think it could create challenges as the home fleet of electric cars grows even more. So, I think it’s interesting to see how you guys have solved this here.
– As mentioned, you are now ahead, but we will follow. Along with the rest of Europe and faster than you realize, Tommy smiles, before starting the next with the little roads to Son. Hopefully he’ll make a trip to Holmenkollen for his “fika”, before flying back to Stockholm.
Read also: Here is our own experience from the European launch – the day after the Swedes were here:
Video: This is the new Kia Niro in a short version
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