Dennis KIA's Blog!

All-New 2010 Kia Compact Given Esteemed Honor by Online Consumer Automotive Resource

• 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.

Posted in Sales

•Optima Hybrid achieves an average of 64.55 miles per gallon during drive through the 48 contiguous U.S. states

•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.

Posted in KIA News

Stylish Mid-size Sedan Hailed As “First-Class”

• 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.

Posted in KIA News

November Sales Increase by 39.1 Percent; Year-to-Date Sales Up 35.7 Percent

IRVINE, Calif., December 1, 2011 - Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced best-ever November sales of 37,007 units, a 39.1-percent increase over the same period last year and the company’s 15th straight monthly sales record. Kia is one of the fastest growing car brands in the U.S., having eclipsed 400,000 vehicles sold for the first time in company history in October, and year-to-date sales are up 35.7-percent. Following the recent start of Optima production at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), the brand’s U.S.-built¹ products – Sorento and Optima – were the top performers for the second consecutive month with 9,669 and 9,533 vehicles sold, respectively.

“Kia’s growth has far outpaced the industry all year and the brand’s design-led transformation has raised awareness for the brand and attracted new customers to our showrooms to experience our diverse lineup that offers world-class style, performance, technology and safety features,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. “Kia has introduced more new vehicles over the past three years than any other auto manufacturer and the latest addition is the all-new Rio 5-door, which is 85-percent recyclable at the end of its lifespan and delivers up to 40 miles per gallon².”

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 recently added the critically acclaimed Optima midsize sedan³ to its production line. 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 Rio5-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 line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

^{1 Assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. Optima Hybrid is not built at KMMG.
2 EPA fuel economy estimates are 30 mpg/city and 40 mpg/hwy with 1.6L GDI engine.
3 Optima Hybrid is not built at KMMG.}

To read the full press release, click HERE.

Posted in Sales

This elite list of 10 vehicles was determined using our shoppers’ new vehicle searches, contacts to dealers, consumer review quantity and consumer review rating. In order to be considered for this award, all of these shopper activities had to rank significantly about our site’s averages.

Let the voting begin!

Voting for the Cars.com Shoppers’ Choice Award is open to all consumers and is taking place on the Cars.com Facebook page now through November 30, 2011. The winner will be revealed at the Cars.com “Best of the Year Awards” taking place in January 2012. Winning this prestigious award will speak to the quality and overall consumer excitement for the Kia Soul.

Rally your customers for votes!

Because the Cars.com Shoppers’ Choice Award is determined by the total number of votes each vehicle receives by Cars.com Facebook fans, you can help drive votes to the Kia Soul. See our promotion tips to help you promote the Kia Soul to all of your shoppers and encourage them to vote.

Good luck!

Posted in KIA News

With U.S. production of the stylish and performance-oriented Optima getting underway last week at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia , the head-turning design of Kia’s popular midsize sedan continues to earn high praise, including the title of “Most Gorgeous Car Under $20K” from the sophisticated men’s lifestyle magazine, Esquire. Along with the recognition, Optima is one of only nine finalists in “The 2011 Esquire Design and Technology Awards” after editors applauded its “clean and inspiring” design that provides a refined and upscale feel at an extraordinary value. To read more click here.

Posted in Sales

Posted in KIA News