The Swedes have a Volvo and also had a Saab for a long time. They are big on trucks and they are behind the hypercar Koenigsegg.
We Norwegians do not have as much to brag about. But in one car area we are in a special position: namely on electric cars. It is noticed far beyond our borders.
Usually it is we Norwegians who travel to Sweden. Not only to buy cheap polar goods, snuff and meatballs – but also to watch cars and car news.
But the world is not as it used to be. Recently, car journalists from several European countries have been 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 and so on is required before departure. These are the Swedish motoring journalists who are on a rare visit to Norway.
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European launch in Oslo
Kia brought the launch of its brand new Niro here to Norway. It’s not everyday at all. Spain, France or the south of Germany are much more common.
But now it was Norway’s turn. These are schemes that require a lot of preparation in relation to accommodation, dining in different places, attractive surroundings where journalists can take nice pictures and varied driving routes, just to name a few.
Such events usually take place over a couple of weeks, where new groups of journalists from different countries come in every day.
For Kia Niro’s part, the participants were first flown in 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 over the fjord, the opera and the Barcode area. It is important to show what we are proud of when we have an international visit.
– Tommy Wahlström, from Swedish ViBilägare, appreciated a short-distance car launch to Norway.
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– Not often I am in Norway
The driving route first went on idyllic small roads to Drøbak, where there was a lunch stop with the legendary fish soup to Skipperstuen on the pier. Then the drive continued further down towards Son, before taking the motorway back. In this way, the cars were tested on both winding and hilly small roads and at higher speeds on the motorway.
Kia has great success in Sweden. One of the Swedes who came to test the Kia Niro was Tommy Wahlström, from ViBilägare, Sweden’s largest car magazine which also has a large website. He has 22 years of experience as a car journalist and has participated in countless launches and car tests around the world.
– It’s really not often I’m in Norway at work. I simply do not remember when I was last here, he says.
– But it was very nice with a short journey. A short hour by plane from Stockholm, then a short train ride – and hey, here we are. There are often long flights, stopovers and flight changes, so this was nice, he smiles behind his beard.
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– The new Kia Niro EV is evaluated and photographed. The car is also very relevant in Sweden where Kia sells very well.
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It’s almost like you do not believe it
He also says that the electric version of the Kia Niro was Sweden’s best-selling electric car last month. Therefore, it is extra relevant to drive it now.
– Sweden is, like everyone else, a long way behind you when it comes to electrifying the car fleet. But we will follow. That is for sure. Sales of electric cars are steadily increasing. I actually found it very fascinating to stand on a sidewalk here in Oslo and look at all the electric cars in traffic. I have read about it and talked to you Norwegian motoring journalists about it – but still, it’s almost like I did not think 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 NAF and Motor’s big range test next time. Then there will be a new trip to Norway for the cheerful Swede.
– There were wonderful and fun roads here to Drøbak. Here you got to put the chassis properly to the test. The fish soup also tasted great and this was a nice place, he says and looks out over the fjord from the pier in Drøbak.
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– Without food and drink… Lunch stop, with fish soup, in idyllic Drøbak after the first stage.
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Hope to reach Holmenkollen
He is also fascinated by the fact that there are many electric cars in the courtyards and that everyone seems to have their own charging box.
– In suburban areas in Sweden, many people live in different condominiums with shared parking and in blocks. I think it can create challenges when the electric car fleet at home grows further. Therefore, I think it’s fun to see how you guys have solved this here.
– As mentioned, you are ahead now, but we will follow. Together with the rest of Europe and faster than you realize, Tommy smiles, before he starts on the next stage with small roads towards Son. Hopefully he will make a trip up Holmenkollen for “fika”, before the plane returns to Stockholm.
Also read: Here is our own experience from the European launch – the day after the Swedes were here:
Video: This is the new Kia Niro EV in short version
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