Kia
Kia To Focus On Quality Ahead Of Lineup Expansion
Kia will hold off on expanding its production facilities and sales targets in favor of improving the quality of its vehicles, CEO Lee Sam-ung told Automotive News at a launch event for its new Rio hatchback. “Quantitative growth is important, but qualitative growth is also important. We plan to focus on improving product quality and…
Ssangyong Wants To Become Korea’s “Most Innovative” Automaker
While Hyundai and Kia are the best known Korean automakers, Ssangyong, still exists in the rest of the world, and the automaker (who has never sold vehicles in North America) has some very ambitious goals for the near future. Ssangyong wants to sell 160,000 vehicles worldwide by 2013, and hopes to raise that number to…
2012 Kia Rio Hatchback Priced From $13,600
Kia will launch their 2012 Rio Hatchback with a starting price of $13,600, plus a $750 destination charge (bringing the total to $14,350). The base car will come only with a manual gearbox, while an automatic transmission equipped version will cost $14,700 ($15,540 with destination included) while the top-of-the-line SX model will set you back…
2012 Car of the Year Candidates Chosen
It’s that time of the year again as Car of the Year begins the laborious task of whittling down new Car of the Year contenders for 2012. A total of 59 journalists, representing automotive authorities across 23 European countries, have been recruited for the task of choosing top car. The number of journalists to represent…
Kia to Focus on Electric Cars, Hyundai to Develop Hybrids as Part of New Green Car Plan
Only until recently did Kia find its groove and really start to deliver a lineup of attractive cars. However, Hyundai‘s vision for Kia’s future has something different in store. Rumors have suggested that Hyundai-Kia Automotive group may be performing an unprecedented hedge to have Kia carry a solely electric vehicle green model range while Hyundai…
Kia Sorento SUVs Recalled For Faulty Air Bag Issue
10,631 Kia Sorento SUVs built between June 15th, 2006 and November 27th, 2007 will be recalled due to a faulty airbag issue where the passenger-side air bag may be turned off even when an adult is occupying the seat. Naturally, the Occupant Classification System is designed to be turned off when children or small adults…
Kia Recalls 10,600 Sorento SUVs For Unintended Passenger Airbag Deactivation
NHTSA has announced a safety recall for 10,600 model year 2007-2008 Kia Sorento SUVs. A sensor used to deactivate an airbag when a child or baby seat is installed at the front passenger side may incorrectly deactivate the airbag when an adult is in the passenger seat. Airbag deactivation will cause an increased risk of…
Kia GT Concept: Turbo V6 Puts 395-HP to the Rear Wheels [2011 Frankfurt Auto Show]
Kia has been changing what people think about Korean cars for well over a year now thanks to some impressive designs, and now the automaker is looking to add some performance to its lineup with the new GT Concept – the first ever rear-drive vehicle by Kia. Set to be unveiled tomorrow at the 2011…
Kia Optima Named “Most Gorgeous Car Under $20K” By Esquire Magazine
Not too long ago, a beauty contest in the sub-$20k segment would seem like a competition for the most attractive bar of soap. But now, Kia‘s current line-up will make you look twice. Men’s lifestyle and fashion magazine Esquire has announced the Kia Optima as the “Most Gorgeous Car Under $20K.” Editors were especially impressed…
Kia GT Concept: Leaked Photos Reveal Name of New RWD Performance Sedan
Rumored to be called “Veredus”, leaked photos of Kia‘s new rear-wheel drive performance sedan have emerged revealing that it will instead wear the simple “GT” badge – in concept form anyway. The next step in the design evolution of the Kia brand, the GT is bold look for a bold vehicle that will take the…
Kia Canada to Compete in Targa Newfoundland in Partnership with MADD Canada
Targa Newfoundland, the ultimate North American tarmac rally, is organized every September for seven days and travels across 2,200 kilometers, or 1,200 miles, of amazing central Newfoundland road. South Korean automaker Kia‘s Canadian operations are set to participate in the 2011 Targa Newfoundland Rally, which will be their second consecutive year at the event. This…
2012 Mazda CX-5 Hits U.S In Early 2012, Will Get Diesel Option In 2014
The Mazda CX-5 will enter the highly competitive compact crossover segment in the U.S when it debuts in early 2012. The CX-5 prototype was equipped with 165-hp 2.0-liter engine producing 150 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the American version will likely use the same setup. A diesel variant available…
Kia Hamsters Return to “Share Some Soul” With LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” [Video]
Kia is continuing its award winning and incredibly original Hamster ad campaign with a third installment that sees the cute (or possibly creepy) critters rolling through an apocalyptic scene in an “Alien Green” Soul, all to the tune of LMFAO’s smash hit, “Party Rock Anthem.” With the Soul, the Hamsters bring peace and happiness by…
All New Kia Forte to Debut Next Year
The 2013 Kia Forte will be an all-new model, following closely after the changes introduced in the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Sharing the same platform as that car, look for an improved ride quality, plus the Forte is expected to get a new design closer in keeping with the larger Optima sedan. As for engines, look…
2012 Kia Soul Pricing Set With MSRP Of $13,900
Kia has formally announced pricing on their 2012 Soul, setting the Scion xB and Nissan Cube competitor’s MSRP just slightly under $14,000. The Soul A/T will start at $15,700 while the highest trim model, the Soul! will start at under $20,000. The Soul! will come packed with features including exclusive projector headlamps with front LED…
Kia To Unveil RWD Four-Door Sports Sedan At Frankfurt Auto Show
Kia has officially confirmed that it will be debuting a rear-wheel drive four-door sports sedan at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show. The concept has sleek and muscular proportions, and will likely slide in between the Hyundai Genesis and Equus in terms of size. “I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: We are…
Kia Rear-Drive Genesis Twin Confirmed, But No Pickup or Miata Rival
Kia, spurred by the success of sibling Hyundai’s Genesis (and possibly Equus), wants a piece of the rear-drive pie. The company is planning a flagship luxury sedan and possibly a coupe, both in the vein of the Genesis duo. Kia’s rear-drive adventures end there, however: there are no plans to introduce a pickup truck. There…
Kia Nails It With Picanto Nail Art Animation
Ladies, the next time you go in for a mani, forget the rhinestone flowers or French tips. Instead, opt for Kia nail art. Ok, so this design probably isn’t available at your favorite spa. But the creative peeps at Kia have some interesting ideas on how to promote the 2012 Picanto small car. With a…
Agency Behind Sexy Kia Ads Banned from Cannes, Stripped of Awards
As it turns out, Kia‘s inappropriately sexy ads that spread like wildfire through the blogosphere just a few weeks ago, weren’t Kia ads at all. Designed to help loosely deliver the message that the Korean automaker now has a dual-zone climate control system (showing two sides to the same story), the print ads drew plenty…
Kia Designs Win Big in New Automotive Brand Contest
Kia Motors is one of the big winners at the first ever Automotive Brand Contest which was organized by the German Design Council. The judge panel declared Kia Motors the worthy winner in four categories. Three kia models were picked as winners for the exterior category, including the compact Sportage SUV, the forthcoming Rio (on…
Hyundai Overtakes Honda, Toyota for Top Spot in New Brand Loyalty Study
Kelley Blue Book announced today that Hyundai has taken the number 1 spot in brand loyalty, beating out Honda and Toyota, on kbb.com for Q2 2011. Automakers have struggled recently to retain loyal customers due to the economic downturn and consumers becoming more aware of issues such as fuel prices and safety recalls. Hyundai has…
Hyundai And Kia Expect To Sell 1.06 Million Vehicles In U.S This Year
Yesterday, Hyundai Motor Group said it is expecting to raise its U.S auto sales by 18.2 percent this year to 1.06 million vehicles, an improvement from a previous target of 1.01 million. Hyundai would to sell 624,000 units and Kia with 433,000 in the U.S. Both South Korean automakers are experiencing fast growth in the…
Kia To Introduce RWD V8 Coupe Concepts In Frankfurt And Detroit
The Kia Mustang might be a reality later this year, when Kia shows off a pair of rear-wheel-drive coupe concepts in Frankfurt and Detroit. Taking the sports and muscle car fight to their respective home turfs, Kia will gauge public interest in buying a V8-powered sports car with a Korean nameplate – first at the…
Kia Racing Takes Second Victory At Road America, Tops Driver Standings
With their latest victory at Road America in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Kia moves to the top of the team and driver’s standings in the Street Tuner class. Not bad for a team that’s only two years old. Drivers Michael Galati and Nic Jonsson won in the number 10 Kia Forte Koup…
