2009 Kia Rondo

(SEOUL) March, 2009 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the 2009 Kia Spectra, Rio5 and Rondo have been included in two MSN Autos Editors’ Top Pick lists in the USA.  Kia Spectra (LX) and Rio5 are named to the “Top 10 Cars for Less Than $15,000” list and Rondo is a top pick for “Best Family Cars for Downsizing.”  The three vehicles are lauded for offering attractive pricing on top of an impressive combination of quality, space, comfort, value and warranty.

“These days, consumers are looking for ways to make their money go further and the Kia Spectra, Rio5 and Rondo models are just a snapshot into Kia’s full line of vehicles that make economical sense,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA.  “By offering high-quality vehicles with wide-ranging amenities and comprehensive safety features, Kia vehicles are continuing to be recognized by top industry automotive review sites like MSN Autos.”

Spectra, noted for its front and back passenger space, audio system and comprehensive warranty, meets the needs of consumers looking for the total package at a significant value.  While Rio5 is the “hip younger sibling” to the Kia Spectra, according to MSN Autos, it is recognized for SIRIUS Satellite Radio, standard CD/MP3 capabilities, air conditioning and 60/40 split-folding rear seats that give way to its large hatch area.

Both vehicles also achieve impressive gas mileage, Spectra with a mpg of 23/30 (when equipped with the manual transmission) and 24/32 (when equipped with the automatic transmission) (city/highway), while Rio5 offers a frugal fuel economy of 27/32 (manual transmission) and 25/35 (automatic transmission).

Recognized in the “Best Family Cars for Downsizing” category that identifies those vehicles with a starting price lower than $25,000 and offers the best mix of cargo capacity, safety, reliability, features and value, Rondo is noted for its seven-passenger seating capacity along with top safety features, solid reliability, interior space and “impressive fit and finish.”  Fuel economy for the 2.4-liter engine is 20/27 (automatic transmission) (city/highway), while the 2.7-liter V6 is 18/26 (automatic transmission).

MSN Autos developed the Editors’ Pick lists by collecting feedback from industry analysts and conducting test drives.  It is the largest global network of online automotive sites, providing consumers with comprehensive research, buying and ownership services.

Editor’s notes: Standard equipment and specifications based on U.S. model and may vary depending on country.

Why not win a new Kia this Summer?

Here at LotPro.com we like everything about cars. We like to drive them, we like to wash them but, most of all, we like to win them! And now is your chance to enter to win one of either two Kia models – the Kia Spectra or the Kia Sportage. The great thing about this contest is that both vehicles are great on gas, so you could even afford to keep either one if you win.

2008 Vans Warped Tour

As part of its participation in the 2008 Vans Warped Tour, Kia Motors has partnered with Fuse Networks to give away the winner’s choice of either a 2008 Kia Spectra SX with CD changer or a 2008 Kia Sportage EX 4×2 Luxury Package.

For Vans Warped Tour participants, on select dates, online kiosks will be set up at participating Warped tour events. For a list of the participating Warped Tour events, visit the web site at www.warpedtour.com. But even if you’re unable to attend this year’s Tour, you can still enter the sweepstakes.

Enter Online

In order to enter online, log onto www.fuse.tv/keystotheride (the “Entry Site”) and follow the Sweepstakes entry directions by providing your first and last name, street address (no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code, daytime telephone number, date of birth and e-mail address (“Online Entry”). That’s all there is to it.

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.

IRVINE, Calif., June 30, 2008 – The 2008 Kia Sorento has been given the top ranking in the midsize SUV segment in AutoPacific, Inc.’s 2008 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA).  These awards are considered quantitative gauges that measure how closely a vehicle matches to an owner’s expectations.  Sorento received a higher rating than the Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Dodge Nitro and HUMMER H3.

“Having Sorento recognized yet again by AutoPacific is a tremendous honor as these awards directly reflect the satisfaction of Kia owners,” said Tom Loveless, vice president of sales, Kia Motors America (KMA).  “We are pleased to know that Sorento’s characteristics and overall appeal are recognized and appreciated by our customers.”

Based on survey responses from more than 33,500 vehicle owners, the 2008 IVA measure the combination of trust, anticipation, expectations and reality within specific product segments by having respondents rate 15 attributes concerning whether they would change them after having owned their vehicle for 90 days.  An “ideal vehicle” is one that meets the owner’s expectations based on how few attributes they would change.  Sorento received a score of 1,250 out of a possible 1,500.

Recently, the 2008 Kia Sorento also achieved a top ranking in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA), was recognized as a “Best Bet” in the Midsize SUV category by The Car Book and received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star crash safety rating in all four seating positions.

In addition to Sorento being named best-in-class in its segment, Kia Motors also ranked among the top 10 in the 2008 IVA Mainstream Brand segment, as did the 2008 Kia Spectra and Kia Rio in the Compact Car and Economy Car segments, respectively.

About Kia Motors America

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.”

Kia Forte sketch released

Kia Motors in Korea recently released the image of an upcoming model called the Forte. Along with the release of the sketch, sources at Kia Motors in Korea let it be known that the Kia Forte is the domestic (Korean) name of an upcoming C-segment vehicle. In the sketch, the lines of the new car bring to mind, more or less, a 4-door more formal-looking Kia Koup in that it shares the same curved drop in the beltline just behind the A-pillar.

Kia Koup

To be continued…

Although information is sketchy (pun intended) at this time, the name “Forte” will be used only in the Korean market. It is expected that the U.S. version will keep the Spectra name when it reaches our shores. Kia promises that additional information will be released at a later date.

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.”