Whether you’re in the market for a new KIA or have simply wondered where is KIA made, we have the details you need, to make an informed decision.
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What Does KIA Stand For?
KIA stands for Korean International Automotive. In fact, according to KIA Motors, the name has an origin from the Sino-Korean characters “ki” (起, meaning “to arise”) and “a” (亞, which stands for East Asia). Roughly translated, KIA means “Rising from the East.”
Cool Facts About KIA- Is KIA Made By Ford?
KIA has a rich and layered history that makes it one of the most viable car brands ever. Check out some cool facts about KIA below!
Partnership with The Hyundai Motor Group
KIA is partner with the Hyundai Motor Group- which also has the Genesis and Hyundai brands of passenger vehicles. Thanks to the partnership, this currently creates the fourth 4th largest car manufacturer behind General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Strong Foundations & Partnerships Continue
The KIA brand is South Korea’s oldest carmaker, founded as Kyungsung Precision Industry in 1944. The company began making bicycle parts and steel tubing. The company is also the maker of Korea’s first indigenous bicycle, the Samchully. Kyungsung Precision Industry began crafting Honda motorcycles back in 1957, under license. Kyungsung Precision Industry also crafted Mazda trucks in 1962, in license. Back in 1974 the partnership with Mazda was extended to vehicles. In the late 1970s and 1980s, KIA began making Peugeots and Fiats under license too Kyungsung Precision Industry’s own brand of vehicles took off in the 1990s, with a partnership with the Ford Motor Company.
Entrance in the U.S. Market
KIA entered the U.S. market in 1992, with a highly competitive market under its feet. It was then that KIA Motors was created. Both the KIA Sportage and the KIA Sephia were some of the models helping to establish KIA in its early days.
Ford’s Attempts & Bankruptcy- Is KIA Made By Ford?
The Ford Motor Company tried to increase the stake it had in KIA back in 1997, as KIA declared bankruptcy during the financial crisis in Asia. Ford’s bid was not successful. Ultimately a Korean carmaker overtook Ford’s bid and won the stake in KIA. Back in 1998, KIA was bought over by Hyundai- as Hyundai then gained control of 51% of the company. These days, The Hyundai Motor Company owns just a little over 33% of KIA and is considered KIA’s common parent company – Hyundai Motor Group.
The Turnaround
KIA experienced one of its hugest turnarounds, when it decided to increase its focus on the European car market. Peter Schreyer- a former Audi- was hired as the lead design boss for KIA. Schreyer led KIA toward a” Tiger Nose” attitude and design, that then helped KIA to capitalize on its worldwide Schreyer was then promoted to The Hyundai Group’s president and lead chief vehicle designer.
Global Growth
In the 2000s, KIA went on to sell over 3 million cars and had one of the fastest growing brands in lots of global car markets. With Hyundai as its partner brand, the front end of operations for both KIA and Hyundai continued to remain separate- and both KIA and Hyundai continued to compete with similar segment vehicles and products.
Sharing & Continued Partnerships
While KIA shares components and platforms with Hyundai, the two don’t have any sharing or cross-badging of parts visible on any vehicle. KIA’s most popular vehicles are the Optima, Sorento and the Soul.
Which KIAs are made in the USA?
In a penned statement from CEO of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia or the KMMG plant, Hyun-Jong Shin stated that the KMMG plant is home to the KIA Optima and the KIA Sorento in the U.S. He also added that the two vehicles continue to pave the way for KIA in the U.S. car market. KIA team members stay devoted to building quality vehicles on American soil, while implementing the latest technologies and amenities inside of each KIA manufactured.
Does KIA Have A Luxury Brand?
KIA does not offer a luxury brand and they have a great reason for the choice not to offer a luxury brand of cars. Evolving from the slogan “The Power of Surprise” to “Give It Everything,” KIA seeks to place its legacy of value and generosity into a phrase that all can understand. Thanks to the new slogan, KIA has decided to forgo the luxury line of vehicles. Why? Well KIA feels that each vehicle crafted under their name should have the features and amenities that drivers want and deserve.
Without the luxury tag, KIA is able to place technology, luxury, sought-after features and performance in their vehicles. For example, KIA adds ultra-widescreen infotainment displays, similar to the ones found in various trim levels of the 2020 Kia Soul and the KIA Telluride. There’s also cooled and heated and cooled seats and remote start- an additional feature that is standard on many KIA trim levels. KIA offers luxury to everyday vehicle buyers!
Which Kia Model Is The Best?
In a post by HotCars.com, the best of the best and the worst of the worst KIAs were ranked. Topping the list as one of the best KIA vehicles ever made, was the KIA Stinger. The Stinger is the answer is KIA’s coupe-designed car, offering mid-size value and comfort. Reportedly a design that is inspired by the Coca-Cola bottle, the Singer offers five seats and a leather interior.
Another great model from KIA, according to HotCars.com is the KIA Forte. Known for great fuel efficiency, this legacy KIA brand has most recently seen some great upgrades over its time. From its “smart trunk” and touch screen, to adjustable seats and its lane departure technology, the Forte helps any driver to forge ahead!
Just as there are great cars from KIA, there are some that are not-so-great, according to HotCars.com. Some of the less desirable KIA models- according to HotCars.com, include the KIA Optima. There seem to be lots of mechanical issues, even though the car offers cost-effective luxury.
Another KIA that was raked as “worst” as noted by HotCars.com, is the KIA Cadenza. Even though the Cadenza has seen its fair share of updates since 2014, the Cadenza fails to provide space and comfort. The Cadenza also seems to lack fuel efficiency too.
What Is The Name Of The New KIA Car?
The newest “kid on the block” for the KIA brand-at the time of this report- is the 2020 KIA Telluride. KIA boasts that the vehicle is a “full-size luxury SUV”, that has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Its starting MSRP is $31,990. According to the KIA website, the all-new Telluride features:
- 8.0-inch Touch-Screen Display w/ Rear Camera
- Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go
- 18-inch Alloy Wheels (machined finish)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Avoidance
- One-Touch Sliding & Folding 2nd-Row Seats
- Auto Emergency Braking & Warning & more!
Click here to view the all-new Telluride and learn more!
2021 KIA K5
Another new KIA on the horizon, is the 2021 KIA K5. KIA boasts that drivers will love to take to any open road, while enjoying a one-of-a-kind driving experience that includes:
- A driver-oriented cockpit
- Supreme and advanced technology
- A turbocharged engine
- Welcomed stability enhancing wide-track suspension,
- Torque up to 311 lb.-ft.
- All-Weather Drive options and more.
Click here to learn more!
So, Is Kia Getting Rid Of The Optima?
KIA Motors is changing the face of its legacy midsize sedan. The Optima will be no more and drivers need to get ready for the all-new K5! Drivers will be able to purchase the brand-new K5 come 2021. The K5 will offer a driver a host of interior and exterior. The K5 will also be sold with the following trim levels: the LXS, LX, the EX, the GT-Line and the GT.
Does Kia Make An All-Wheel Drive Car?
They do indeed. The current KIA models that offer all-wheel drive include:
- The 2020 KIA Telluride
- The 2020 KIA Sorento
- The 2019 KIA K900
- The 2019 KIA Stinger
Are all KIA Sorentos AWD?
The KIA Sorento offers all-wheel drive with every trim. So, if you’re in the market for a family car, you may have happiness in the seven-passengers Sorento!
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