The automaker explained that C.E.S. was the proper venue to introduce the cars and emphasize to the electronics industry the potential synergies of a fast-approaching electrified future for the transportation industry.

Both vehicles — a purely electric version of the Ray subcompact already on sale in Korea, and the Naimo E.V. concept — are powered by lithium-ion polymer battery packs and an electric motor. The Naimo’s set-up produces 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, and is capable of pushing the vehicle to a top speed of 93 miles per hour and providing up to 124 miles of range on a charge, according to Kia.

Introduced in December, the Ray was the first mass-produced E.V. on the Korean market. It is assembled on the same production lines as its gasoline-engine counterpart, and was designed and built with the Korean market in mind.

The Ray E.V., which is slightly less powerful than the Naimo concept, would go up to 86 miles on a single charge, Kia said, and is powered by a 50-kilowatt electric motor (roughly 67 horsepower) and 16.4 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack. Its top speed is 81 m.p.h.

“There are no plans at the moment to import the Ray E.V. into North America,” said James Hope, a Kia spokesman. “But the industry is changing rapidly, so anything is possible.”

For more, click HERE.

One of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.[1], Kia’s unprecedented growth is the direct result of the company’s design-led transformation, which delivered nine new vehicles in less than three years – more than any other automaker –  and was capped in 2011 with the debuts of the all-new 2012 Rio 5-door and the Optima Hybrid.  In September, Kia’s first hybrid in the U.S. set a new Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption by a gasoline hybrid car traveling through all 48 contiguous U.S. states, achieving more than 64 miles per gallon over nearly 8,000 miles.

“2011 was an historic year for Kia in the U.S. and the company has changed dramatically over the past three years,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. “Our complete lineup of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has captured the attention of a wide variety of consumers, many who had never before considered Kia and are now cross-shopping us against a larger mix of well-established brands. Kia dealers are seeing new, younger, more style-conscious and more affluent customers in their showrooms thanks to eye-catching vehicles such as the Optima, Sorento and Soul, and we look forward to continuing our success in 2012 with the arrival of new technologies.”

With several key initiatives planned for 2012, Kia Motors is poised to continue to drive increased consumer interest and will continue to expand its brand presence with new and enhanced partnerships while continuing to deliver world-class design, cutting-edge technology, modern conveniences and amenities, and outstanding safety features in all its vehicles.

2011 Milestones:

• Sales:  KMA surpassed its previous annual sales total in just nine months and sold more than 485,000 vehicles in the U.S. for the first time in company history.  KMA’s annual sales record was highlighted by best-ever quarterly sales in Q2 with 140,330 units sold, besting the previous record of 104,774 units sold in Q1 2011.  The U.S.-built Sorento was the brand’s best-selling vehicle for the second straight year and the Soul urban passenger vehicle joined Kia’s popular CUV as the brand’s second vehicle to exceed sales of 100,000 units in one year.
• KMMG/Optima:  On September 2, the Optima midsize sedan was added to the production line at KMMG, and the plant hired and trained more than 1,000 new team members and added a third shift to support the additional volume.  Together with local suppliers, KMMG is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 direct and supplier jobs. The plant produced its 300,000th vehicle in July 2011 and began a $100 million expansion to increase annual capacity to 360,000 vehicles in 2012.
• Advanced Technology:  Co-developed with Microsoft^® and based on Windows Embedded Auto software, UVO (meaning “Your Voice”) was launched in June in the 2011 Optima Hybrid, 2012 Sorento, 2012 Sportage, and 2012 Optima.  UVO provides Kia drivers with simple access to vehicle audio systems, music media in various formats and cell phone content.  It also allows users to answer and place phone calls, access music from a variety of media sources and create custom music experiences.
• Thinking Green:  The 2011 Optima Hybrid, Kia’s first-ever hybrid vehicle in the U.S., went on sale on the West and East coasts in June and earned the distinction of Kia’s first vehicle to achieve up to 40 miles per gallon. The Optima Hybrid was recognized by Guinness World Records for the lowest fuel consumption by a gasoline hybrid car traveling through all 48 contiguous U.S. states, delivering more than 64 mpg over nearly 8,000 miles.  The 2012 Rio 5-door became the second Kia vehicle to deliver up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway and at the end of its lifespan 85-percent of the vehicle’s content is recyclable.  Additionally, Kia Motors announced plans to introduce its first all-electric vehicle for global markets in 2014, which will be based on a CUV body style.  Kia also is actively working with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop vehicles that use alternative energy.
• Memorable Marketing:  Building on the momentum of KMA’s highly successful first-ever Super Bowl ad in 2010, the brand followed it up with the biggest vehicle launch in company history for the 2011 Optima midsize sedan, including Times Square advertising and a second Super Bowl spot titled “One Epic Ride.”  The ad, in which people across space and time – from a police officer and an international villain to aliens and an ancient chief – go to great lengths to snatch the Optima from the clutches of others and put themselves behind the wheel, increased online search activity by more than 700 percent following the game and Optima consideration by 255 percent.

The worldwide popularity of Kia’s music-loving hamsters grew in 2011 with the debut of a new advertisement titled “Share Some Soul.”  First seen in movie theaters nationwide and during the MTV Movie Awards, the spot is set in a dark, futuristic videogame world in which the hamsters turn a fierce battle between alien robots and humanoids into an interstellar dance party set to the tune of electro-pop group LMFAO’s number-one Billboard hit “Party Rock Anthem.”  To date, the video has more than 12 million views on YouTube and was the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including being named one of Mashable’s “10 Most Innovative Viral Video Ads of 2011.” The pop culture icon status of Kia’s hamsters was recognized when they were named the first-ever “Rookie of the Year” in the annual Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame public vote.

Kia also continued its role as the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA,” and in February, Los Angeles Clippers All-Star power forward Blake Griffin(with a little help from Baron Davis) leaped over an Optima to win the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.  In addition to becoming the only professional basketball player with a global marketing relationship with an automaker, Griffin also appeared in a series of witty ads to tout the safety and technology features of the Optima.

As part of KMA’s strategic marketing plan, the company continued its partnerships with golf superstar Michelle Wie, one of the most recognizable youth athletes in the world, and again served as the title sponsor of the Kia Classic LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) golf tournament., Kia also announced that the brand will serve as the Official Automotive Partner of the LPGA beginning in 2012, which will see the Kia Classic return to the renowned La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego, Calif. in March.

Championship Winning Motorsports Program:  After just two seasons and 20 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) races, KMA’s motorsports program achieved championship status when the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup and Nic Jönsson captured the Team and Driver titles, respectively, in the Street Tuner class.

For 2012, Kia Racing is expanding its motorsports footprint to include new vehicles and series.  The Infinity Audio Forte Koups will make their return to GRAND-AM to defend their ST titles, while the U.S.-built, turbocharged Optima SX will hit the track in the Pirelli World Challenge.  Kia’s racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports, will campaign two Optima World Challenge cars as Kia Racing hits the grid on eight famous U.S. circuits, including the streets of Long Beach, Infineon Raceway and the Belle Isle Grand Prix inDetroit.

The Optima is not the only Kia vehicle being summoned for race track duty in 2012.  At the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Kia announced that the all-new Rio 5-door will compete in the newly created B-Spec showroom stock series.  The Rio 5-door B-Spec racecar will compete in the newly established showroom stock racing class in 2012 against a variety of subcompact competitors including the Mazda2, Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500 and Chevrolet Sonic in a range of motorsports events sanctioned by various organizing bodies, including World Challenge, GRAND-AM, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Auto Sport Association (NASA).  Showroom stock racing provides an affordable avenue for auto enthusiasts to participate in the excitement of competitive motorsports with a vehicle like the all-new 2012 Rio 5-door that is fun to drive, fuel-efficient and stylish.

Awards & Accolades: 

• 2012 Optima named to the “Top Ten Drives List for 2012″ by The Boston Globe
• 2012 Optima, Sorento, Soul and Sportage achieve Consumers Digest ”Best Buys”
• 2011 Optima and Sorento named to “Ten Most Improved Cars of 2011″ list by MSNBC.com
• 2011 Optima Hybrid named to “Top 10 Cars of the Year” list by Hispanic Motor Press Association
• 2011 Optima named “Most Gorgeous Car Under $20k” by Esquire
• 2011 Optima named to the “Ward’s 10 Best Interiors” list by Ward’s AutoWorld
• 2011 Optima named to “Top 10 Best Buy Cars for 2011″ list by Auto A Fondo
• 2011 Optima named one of the “Top 10 Cars to Look Forward to in 2011″ by CarsDirect.com
• 2011 Optima and Sportage named “Best New Model” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
• 2011 Optima honored as “Best of 2011″ by Cars.com
• 2011 Optima awarded Edmunds’ InsideLine.com ”Editors’ Most Wanted” award
• 2012 Rio 5-door named to Vroomgirls.com’s first-ever “Vroomies Best Cars of the Year” awards list
• 2011 Rio named a “Best Overall Value” on the “Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles List” by TrueCar.com
• 2012 Soul and Forte Koup named to MSN Autos’ “10 Great Cars for Less Than$20,000″ list
• 2011 Soul and Forte 5-door named to “Top 10 Urban Cars” list by Cars.com
• “Share Some Soul” advertising campaign named to Mashable’s “10 Most Innovative Viral Video Ads of 2011″ list
• “Share Some Soul” campaign named first-ever “Rookie of the Year” in annual Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame public vote
• 2011 Sorento and Sedona named to NADAguides’ “Best Car Buys for 2011″ list in SUV and Van categories, respectively
• 2011 Sorento named one of the “Best Family Cars of 2011″ by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com
• 2011 Sorento named to “Best Cars for Families” list by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
• 2011 Sorento named to “Top 10 Family Cars of 2011″ list by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
• 2011 Sportage earned AutoPacific 2011 “Vehicle Satisfaction Award”
• 2011 Sportage named “2011 Northwest Affordable SUV of the Year” by Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA)
• 2011 Sportage named “Best New Crossover Vehicle” in About.com’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards
• 2011 Sportage named “International Truck of the Year” by ICOTY jury
• 2011 Forte Koup named one of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000″ by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
• 2011 Sedona named “Best Reviewed” in Budget Minivan category by ConsumerSearch.com
• 2011 Sedona named “Best Minivan for the Money” for 2011 by U.S. News & World Report
• Kia Motors America posts highest brand loyalty ranking in study by Experian Automotive
• Kia Motors America named Best Total Cost of Ownership Brand by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
• Kia Motors America recognized as “Most Improved Mainstream Brand” in Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) report
• Kia Motors America named Auto Industry Leader in Customer Loyalty Increases by Polk
• Kia’s 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine named to Ward’s AutoWorld’s “2012 10 Best Engines” list
• “This or That” campaign awarded Gold Effie during the 2011 North AmericanEffie Awards
• “This or That” campaign named “Automotive Ad of the Year” by the Nielsen Company
• Kia Racing achieves first-ever GRAND-AM road racing championships with Driver and Team titles in 2011 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC)

Kia’s Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is the one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling.  Kia Motors America’s full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand.  In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[1] and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking[2].  Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility inWest Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company’s two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan[3].  Kia’s value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan

For more, click HERE.

Box cars are a niche product that have found their place in the market, and among the three in the segment, the Kia Soul continues to reign king – by a huge margin.

Kia had an excellent 2011 overall, reporting a whopping 36.3 percent year-over-year sales gain over 2010. A big part of that total was the Soul — it was the company’s second best-selling model, which overshot the 100,000 mark in 2011 with a total of 102,267.  This represents an astounding 52.4 percent gain over the totals for 2010, when 67,110 Souls were sold. Even in its first year on the market in 2009, the Soul still came in first on top of the Scion xB and the Nissan Cube, with 31,621 vehicles moved off the lot. With help from the old school Hamstars, and the lowest starting price of the three, the Soul train keeps charging ahead.

The once-hip Scion xB is showing its age, as 2011 sales for the box car totaled only 17,071 units, representing a 16.7 percent decrease over 2010. It seems as though the xB continues its ride down a slippery slope, as 2010 annual sales were also down 19.5 percent compared to 2009, when 25,461 units of the xB were sold. The fact that the five-door hatchback hasn’t seen a major refresh since 2008 could be partly to blame for declining sales, but it also seems as though the Soul has stolen the box-car thunder. 85,250 more Souls were sold in 2011 than the xB, and the Soul’s 2011figure is about 60,000 more than the xB’s 2010 and 2011 annual volumes combined.

The quirky Nissan Cube comes in dead last, with 14,459 units sold in 2011. This represents a 37 percent decrease over 2010, when the Cube surprisingly managed to beat xB sales by roughly 2500 units with a total 22,968. Although it came in third for 2011, its performance in 2010 picks up a little bit of its slack. We wouldn’t be surprised if, like in other markets, the advent of the similar-sized and equally funky Juke stole some of the Cube’s thunder. When looking at combined 2010 and 2011 sales, the xB is still the biggest loser, as the Cube beats the xB by a hair with 46 units at a combined total of 37,427 vehicles.

For more, click HERE.

“Our more than 3,000 team members continue to demonstrate outstanding dedication to building world-class, high-quality vehicles at our West Point manufacturing facility,” said Mr. Byung Mo Ahn, Group President and CEO for Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG. “The new jobs and increased volume at KMMG is continued evidence of our commitment to the U.S. and local economies. Kia experienced record-breaking growth again in 2011, led by the best-selling Sorento and the critically-acclaimed Optima, both of which are being built at KMMG.”

The new $100 million investment by Kia Motors is in addition to the $1 billion already invested into KMMG. The expansion includes:

• A second 5,400-ton transfer press in the stamping shop
• Additional robots in the welding shop related to the production of the Optima
• Expansion of the paint shop to accommodate additional capacity
• Expansion of the production line in the general assembly shop (within the existing facilities) and installation of new equipment
• Expansion of the railroad spur to efficiently handle additional volume
• More than 500 additional parking spaces added to the team member parking area
• Over 1,000 new team members were hired at KMMG during 2011 to bring the total number of hires at the plant to more than 3,000

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. Beginning in 2012, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

For more, click HERE.

The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group is expected to see its annual production at overseas plants exceed 3 million vehicles by the end of the year for the first time, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association said on Sunday.

It is also forecast that the group’s overseas production will surpass domestic production next year.

The KAMA said that the group produced 2.88 million cars at its overseas plants for the first 11 months of this year, up 21.8 percent over the same period in 2010. If this pace keeps up, the figure will exceed 3.05 million by the last day of the year. It hit the 1 million mark in 2006 and passed 2 million last year.

With the expansion of its overseas plants, the group saw its overseas production outpace its exports from home for the first time in the second half of this year. As of November, 2.88 million cars were manufactured in its plants overseas, compared to 2.85 million produced domestically for export, and the trend is likely to continue.

The KAMA forecast that overseas production by Hyundai and Kia will rise 9.8 percent on-year to 3.35 million cars in 2012.

For more, click HERE.

Kia is entering the electric vehicle market by introducing the all-new Ray EV, Korea’s first-ever mass produced electric vehicle. After the official unveiling of a petrol-powered Ray mini-car, Kia has now lifted the lid on the Ray EV and its highly-advanced all-electric powertrain.

The all-new Ray EV will be built and sold exclusively in South Korea. Kia plans to produce 2.500 units in 2012 and provide all of them to the South Korean government departments and fleet buyers as a part of the carmaker’s long-term real-world research and development program.

The battery-powered Ray EV is a close relative to the 1.0L gasoline powered Kia Ray crossover vehicle, which was put on sale in South Korea in November. Apart from the powertrain technology, the two share exactly the same design layouts and dimensions.

Power for the Ray EV is provided by a 50kW electric motor which is mated to a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery – positioned under the rear seat and cabin floor. The highly-advanced battery-pack adds 187 kg (around 412 pounds) to the overall weight of the vehicle, however, the Ray EV still manages to outperform its gasoline-powered sibling in a run from 0-100 km/h. The EV runs from 0-100 km/h in 15.9 seconds while its maximum speed is 130 km/h.

According to Kia, the Ray’s batteries can be fully re-charged in six hours using a standard 220V household supply and just 25 minutes in fast-charge mode. Kia’s latest city car has a range of up to 86 miles on a single charge!

Kia Ray EV image gallery:

For more, click HERE.

• Forte recognized above competition for offering new-edge styling, value and fuel efficiency
• Kia Forte sedan and Koup give consumers entire package and class-leading combination of standard safety features

  IRVINE, Calif., December 3, 2009– On the heels of being named “Car of the Month” for August by NADAguides.com, the respected online automotive source has named the all-new 2010 Kia Forte “Car of the Year.” Selected from the nine vehicles chosen as a “Car of the Month” throughout the year, Forte was honored for its attractive styling, value and an extensive list of class-leading features.

   

  
  B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) accepts the NADAguides.com “Car of the Year” award from Mike Caudill of NADAguides.com for the 2010 Kia Forte

  “Consumers as well as dealers have come to recognize the Kia Motors brand for attractively designed and priced vehicles with impressive fuel efficiency and a long list of standard safety features all backed by an industry-leading warranty, and the all-new Forte and Forte Koup are no exceptions,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). “Forte is a very strong contender in the popular compact segment and it has definitely helped us continue to raise our brand awareness.”

  The NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” program aims to provide consumers with useful commentary, information and reviews on available new cars, trucks and SUVs, and showcases vehicles that offer impressive fuel economy, safety features and amenities. The editors at NADAguides.com carefully review the vehicles previously chosen as a “Car of the Month” to select the most deserving “Car of the Year.” To be eligible, vehicles must be new for the model year and have a combination of impressive styling, fuel efficiency, low price point and cost of ownership. For the complete review, go to http://www.nadaguides.com/Garage-Blog/NADAGUIDESCOM-AWARDS-2010-KIA-FORTE-CAR-OF-THE-MONTHe2809d-FOR-AUGUST.aspx.

  “Not many cars can boast a full package when it comes to design features, price, performance and fuel economy, but the Forte leaves a lasting impression with all that and more,” said Michael Caudill, automotive expert for NADAguides.com.

  Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the all-new Forte sedan starts at $13,695¹ for the LX trim, while the EX begins at $15,995 and the SX starts at $17,495. Pricing for the stylish Koup, available in EX and SX trims, starts at $16,595 (EX), while the SX trim begins at $17,695. In addition to competitive pricing, Forte comes well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service². Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players³ as well as Bluetooth®⁴connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones.

  In addition to emotion-evoking performance and great design, Forte and Forte Koup also showcase a class-leading combination of standard safety features with active front headrests, advanced two-stage airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), brake assist (BAS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), a traction control system (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

  About Kia Motors America

  Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 650 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and more recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever in 2009. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”

For more, click HERE.

•Drivers use just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete 14-day, 7,899 mile trip across America

•Record for “Lowest fuel consumption, 48 U.S. states: gasoline hybrid car” verified by Guinness World Records adjudicator in ceremony at Kia’s U.S. manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia
(SEOUL) September 13, 2011

– Kia Motors is one of the automotive industry’s current fuel economy leaders and recently the brand celebrated the setting of a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle, while driving through all 48 adjoining U.S. states.  Drivers Wayne Gerdes from Wadsworth, Illinois, and Chris Bernius from New York City, successfully piloted a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 64.55 mpg US (3.64 l/100 km), beating the car’s official EPA highway fuel consumption figure by 61.37 percent.  Kia’s 48 state challenge was completed in 14 days driving an average of 564 miles per day. The Optima Hybrid used just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete the route, recording an average distance of 1,418 miles between fill-ups. To comply with Guinness World Record guidelines, the Optima Hybrid had to carry two people and their luggage throughout the journey.  The record attempt was verified by Philip Robertson, Adjudicator at Guinness World Records, who also presented the drivers with their Guinness World Record certificate at an official handover ceremony at Kia Motors’ manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia on September 12.

For more, click HERE.

• Award-winning Optima recognized for spacious interior and fun-to-drive performance
• Optima was recently added to the production line at Kia Motors’ manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia

  IRVINE, Calif, December 23, 2011 - The critically acclaimed, U.S.-built, Kia Optima added another accolade to its trophy case this week when it was named to The Boston Globe’s annual Top Ten Drives List for 2012, beating out more than 100 cars and trucks. Optima’s world-class design and technology features impressed editors who dubbed the Optima a “first-class, five-passenger, mid-sized sedan” with a “surprisingly spacious interior,” and appreciated the available heated steering wheel during the cold New England winter months.

  “With its powerful combination of world-class design, advanced technology, turbocharged performance and outstanding value, the Optima has been turning heads since arriving in showrooms in January and demand has outpaced supply all year,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing and communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). “Kia is the fastest growing car company in the U.S.¹ and earning a spot on The Boston Globe’s Top Ten Drives List adds to our unprecedented momentum heading into 2012.”

  The Boston Globe 2012 Top Ten Drives List spans a wide range of vehicles and prices in all segments, but they all feature key core traits such as excellent performance, quality construction, fine details and solid value.

  About the 2012 Optima
  The 2012 Kia Optima stands apart from the crowd with its head-turning design, fun-to-drive performance, modern amenities and long list of standard safety features. Kia’s second U.S.-built² vehicle offers drivers cutting-edge technologies, including a standard eight-speaker Infinity^®3 audio system, HD Radio^™4, and Kia’s UVO powered by Microsoft^®5 voice-activated infotainment and communications system with a starting MSRP of $19,500⁶.

  Design-Led Transformation and Product Line
  Kia Motors has undergone a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and brand growth through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology. Kia’s commitment to the U.S. market is represented by its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – which is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and added the critically-acclaimed Optima midsize sedan⁷ to its production line in September. Kia’s model year 2012 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

  About Kia Motors America
  Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 745 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.

  Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle lineup is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

To read the full press release, click HERE.