The solitary teaser photo shows what seems to be a full-width LED taillight with a design that’s similar to the refreshed Picanto. Adjusting the exposure, it reveals separately placed signal and reverse lights.

From here, things get interesting. The K3 aka Forte is supposed to be Kia’s compact sedan. However, reports suggest that the Korean automaker is repositioning it to be their replacement to the Rio sedan. The fact that the Forte just got a refresh two years ago lends credence to this theory.

Per Kia, the all-new K3 “combines sophisticated design and a spacious interior, redefining market segments and drawing attention from upper-segment buyers.”

If Kia is indeed shifting the K3 to become their new sub-compact offering, expect them to shift the current Forte/K3 to the K4 nameplate enabling it to slot between the K3 (Rio) and K5 (Optima). It could also get a different name altogether.

The all-new Kia K3 will be made available and, like the current Rio, be built in Mexico. It will primarily serve the North American market, but it’s suggested that other left-hand drive countries (including the Philippines) will have access to the new model.