Kia America officially announced that the last production unit of the Soul hatchback will roll off the assembly line by the end of October. Over the past fifteen years, more than 1.5 million vehicles of this model have been sold in the U.S. alone.

The Soul debuted in 2009 with a design that went against all trends. While most compact cars of that time were round and faceless, the Soul stood out with its angular shapes.

The American design team at Kia admitted that their inspiration was a "boar with a backpack" — they wanted to create a sturdy and practical car without unnecessary bulk. When the concept reached production, this shape remained and became a hit.

Unconventional advertising also helped. Animated hamsters grooved to Black Sheep and LMFAO, presenting the Soul as the coolest club on wheels.

Over the years, the Soul has turned into a kind of experimental platform. Concepts with open tops and even track versions emerged.

The peak sales of the Kia Soul occurred in 2015, after which the numbers never returned to previous heights. However, there are still several thousand Souls ready for sale at U.S. dealerships.

Source: Kia America