Koreans are the new Japanese

The Korean automakers are rapidly becoming to the new millennium what the Japanese automakers were to the 70’s and 80’s. Back then, Honda, Toyota and Datsun rode the wave of relatively cheap labor and high quality to establish themselves as the brands to beat in the low to midsize passenger car segment.

And just as those brands became mainstream, the Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo (which failed on its own but has a presence in GM-branded models) were quick to follow in their footsteps. Although there were initial issues with quality and durability (the initial Japanese vehicles, you’ll recall, rusted hideously), these were addressed with better quality and some of the longest and most comprehensive new vehicle warranties in the industry.

And just like the Japanese, the initial Korean offerings were, shall we say, somewhat lacking in the styling department. That has also changed in recent years. The new Hyundai Genesis sedan, while somewhat derivative, is quite striking and the coupe variant has the aggressive looks of a serious performer.

New Kia Concept

Kia, for its part, has not been sitting idly by as its sister company grabs all the glory. The new Soul, soon to be in dealer showrooms, is a genuine competitor in the mini hauler segment now occupied by the Scion xB and the soon-to-be-available Nissan Cube while the new Forte sedan is scheduled to replace the forgettable Spectra sometime this summer.

As part of this new product onslaught, Kia introduced a mini-truck concept, the Soul’ster, at this year’s NAIAS and today, the company announced that it is about to introduce a second concept, this one an MPV, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March third. Here is the press release from Kia:

(SEOUL) February 24, 2009 — Kia will be displaying an all-new MPV concept, a range of Idle Stop & Go cars and an innovative hybrid at the 79th Salon International de l’Auto which opens in Geneva on 3 March.  There will be a total of 18 vehicles on the Kia stand [Stand 5231, Hall 5] including three models making their first appearance in Switzerland – the Kia Soul, upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV and upgraded new-look 2009 Kia Optima sedan.

All-new, the Kia No 3 Concept Car redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive.  The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new ‘face of Kia’ displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation.  The 159.25 inch long concept is finished in matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

Kia cee’d ISG

The new Kia cee’d ISG (Idle Stop & Go) models, which offer up to 15% fuel savings in city driving, are now on sale in many countries across Europe.  Kia’s innovative ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move off.  Kia cee’d ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline engines and each of the three cee’d family body styles – five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee’d.  The 1.4-litre ISG models at Geneva have a 137 g/km CO2 rating.

Kia cee’d Hybrid

Kia Motors has produced a fleet of prototype Kia cee’d Hybrid cars especially for testing and evaluation in Europe.  The cee’d Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 20 hp, 77.5 lb.-ft. AC synchronized electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system.  Kia calculates that the cee’d Hybrid accelerates to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 115 mph.  The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 49 mpg and a CO2 figure of 109 g/km – down 25% compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline cee’d.

While most of us here at LotPro.com dream of driving Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the occasional Bentley Continental GTC Speed, the fact is that all of us here, like most of you out there (Jay Leno being one of the exceptions), live in a world where our incomes are encumbered by mortgages, utility bills and keeping food on the table. As such, the aforementioned vehicles have as much to do with our reality as a date with Kate Moss.

Fortunately, the editors at Forbes.com have come up with a list that might seem mundane in comparison but at least it bears a resemblance to reality – the best vehicles for carpooling. Using data from Kelley Blue Book, Forbes considered only 2009 vehicles that have received five out of five stars on all crash tests and at least four out of five stars on rollover results. The group was then pared down by awarding each vehicle points based on seating capacity, fuel efficiency, amount of front and rear headroom and legroom, and the presence of standard or optional navigation and entertainment systems.

2009 Kia Optima

The winner for 2009,  the newly-updated Kia Optima, was mentioned in a press release from Kia. Here is a portion of that release:

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 9 / — Recently named a “Best Bet” by The Car Book 2009, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced that the Optima sedan also has topped the recently released “Best Vehicles for Carpooling” list by Forbes, available on Forbes.com. Refreshed for the 2009 model year, Optima was lauded for combining excellent class-leading safety features, a spacious interior and impressive fuel efficiency – all for excellent value, starting at less than $18,000.

“It’s great to see our vehicles winning more and more industry accolades, and it’s an honor for Kia Motors to sit atop the Forbes ‘Best Vehicles for Carpooling’ list,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA. “The 2009 Optima demonstrates the brand’s commitment to offering consumers dynamic vehicles designed with an emphasis on quality, safety, comfort and affordability.”

The price is right

The 2009 Optima is the recipient of a five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As with the rest of the Kia line-up, Optima is equipped with many standard safety features, including six airbags (dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side as well as full-length side curtain), front active headrests, side-impact door beams, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Electronic stability control (ESC), a traction control system (TCS), brake assist system (BAS) and four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) also are standard.

The Bottom Line

While neither a Bentley nor a supermodel, the Kia Optima is a solid performer in the mid-size segment, giving car buyers a long list of standard features as well as a top safety rating.

IRVINE, Calif., Aug 01, 2008 — Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its best July ever with record sales of 28,021 units, an increase of 5.0 percent over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 185,640 units, an increase of 2.5 percent over the same period last year.

Kia Sportage 

The Kia Sportage had its best month of the year with 4,035 units, a 6.2 percent increase over the same period last year, while Spectra had strong sales of 5,910 units. Kia Rio and Kia Optima both had increases of 22.1 percent and 49.1 percent respectively over the same period last year with 3,707 and 6,258 units sold.

“For the fourth month in a row Kia has achieved record sales, something rare for the auto industry in 2008,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). “During this difficult economic time, consumers are looking for quality vehicles that are fuel efficient and offer great value — for this they are heading to Kia dealerships.”

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. 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.”

Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com.

IRVINE, Calif. – Kia Motors America (KMA) announced its best June ever with record sales of 28,292 units, an increase of 7.6 percent over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 157,619 units, an increase of 2.1 percent over the same period last year.  For the just completed quarter, the company reported sales of 89,405 units.

Kia Spectra

Kia’s June record sales were led by Spectra and Optima, with 7,131 and 6,865 units sold respectively.  Small car Rio and family vacation favorite Sedona also had strong sales with 3,337 units and 3,719 units respectively, both increases over the same period last year.

Kia Optima

“As the economy continues to fluctuate, consumers are turning to vehicles that are known for value and quality,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).  “Thanks to a strong marketing plan and the hard work of the Kia dealer network, Kia continues to have success during this difficult economic time.”

Kia Rio

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.  KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States.  For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales.  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.”

Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.”  Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com.

What is “eco-driving”?

According to Mr. Cho, today’s oil prices leave drivers with two main options: “One is leaving their cars at home, which most of us don’t intend to do; and the other is ‘eco-driving.’”

The Sustainability Management Team at Hyundai has defined ‘eco driving’ as the ability to efficiently drive your vehicle. To help vehicle owners drive more efficiently, the team has defined what they call the “Five simple golden rules of eco-driving”:

1. Avoid speeding and maintain a constant speed.
2. Change gears as soon as possible.
3. Avoid sharp acceleration and sudden braking.
4. Check tire pressure frequently.
5. Move with the traffic flow.

According to a statement on the Kia Buzz web site, “Eco driving can reduce exhaust gas emissions, help prevent accidents, lengthen car life and save energy. Tests have shown that eco driving can enhance fuel efficiency by 10 to 30%. However, the practice of eco-driving is subjective amongst drivers. Other than the UK, where the driver’s license test incorporates the concept of eco-driving, changing bad driving habits and separate education on eco-driving is easier said than done.”

The ‘Eco Driving’ System

To help drivers “master” the five golden rules, Kia is offering the Eco Driving System as a standard feature in the enhanced Lotze (known as the Optima in the United States). This vehicle was launched in Korea on June 12th and it will be the first car in Korea to feature such a system. An “eco lamp”, located on the dashboard and integrated with the speedometer, will guide the driver to drive in the most economical way.

According to Kia, here’s how it works: “A green lamp will come on to indicate high fuel efficiency driving (eg, traveling at a constant speed), while a red lamp will indicate low fuel efficiency (eg, sharp acceleration, sudden braking). A white lamp will come on to show normal fuel efficiency or standby mode. The system is designed to encourage eco-driving by providing real-time feedback to the driver. “

To back up the claims of increased efficiency, comparison tests were conducted during a recent real-life test drive in Korea. Kia Motors entered 10 Lotzes (Optimas) in an actual eco-driving event. Through the 4.35 mile (7km) route, 100 drivers were asked to drive the course using in their usual driving habits. After receiving special training on the new system from Kia instructors, drivers were then asked to run the course again applying the knowledge from the lessons that they’d just received.

Based on the test drives conducted that day, the highest fuel consumption rate was 32.4 mpg while the average was 29.4 miles per gallon. These figures were 10 to 20% better than the Lotze’s official fuel consumption rate (the Korean equivalent to EPA mileage estimates).

System coming to the U.S.

According to Mr. Cho, this system is will soon be available in U.S.-spec Optimas, as well. In addition to the Eco Driving System, Kia Motors “will continue to hold campaigns to promote economical and eco-friendly driving habits to help drivers better cope with surging oil prices.”

IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 2008 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its best sales month ever for the second consecutive month with record May sales of 31,047 units, an increase of nine percent over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 129,327 units.

May’s record sales were led by the Kia Spectra and Kia Optima, which both had their best months ever with 9,407 and 8,197 units sold respectively, increases of 10.5 and 120.8 percent over same period last year. The Kia Rio also continued with strong sales in its best month of the year at 4,474 units, a 28.6 percent increase over the same period last year.

“With gas prices continuing to rise, record sales of the fuel-efficient Spectra and Optima are proof that consumers are recognizing Kia’s value now more than ever,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). “Achieving the best month ever for two months in a row is the result of enhancement efforts to Kia’s brand image and the Kia dealer network’s total endeavors in a difficult market environment to sell more vehicles.”

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. 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.”