KIA - South Korean automobile manufacturer.

THE HISTORY OF KIA

KIA MOTORS Kia Motors Company KSE: 000270 is a South Korean automobile manufacturer. HISTORY South Korea's oldest car company, Kia was founded in 1944. It later produced several Mazda models under licence, including the Pride (based on the 121) and Avella, which were sold in North America and Australasia as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire. The name "Kia" (기아, 起亞) roughly translates as "Arising from Asia" in Korean and Chinese characters. In 1993, it began operating in the United States, with initial efforts focused in California. Dealers in 1994 sold the Sephia, and a few years later the United States line expanded with the addition of the Sportage. Kia vehicles were considerably less reliable than those from competitors, and relied largely on ten-year powertrain warranties for sales. (Also see Hyundai Motor Company) Kia has consistently ranked last on J.D. Power and Associates durability index. In recent years however, Kia has worked to improve the reliabilty of their vehicles and it now rates higher than many other car companies. ( In 2004, it was no longer last on JD Powers durability index, but 2nd last. Last place went to Land Rover). In 2005 it regained its title as the least durable. Kia's troubles in 1997 helped to push South Korea into the Asian financial crisis, and it was acquired in 1998 by the Hyundai Motor Company. Due to the success that came to Kia after Hyundai took over, Kia sales have improved dramatically 1998-2005. KIA announced on March 12, 2006 that they would build their first North American plant in West Point, Georgia . Kia also manufactures bicycles, some of which are sold in the United States. AFFILIATIONS AND SUBSIDIARIES Kia is one of the companies of the Hyundai Motor Group and has four subsidiaries: Kia Motors Europe Doongpung Ywieda Kia Kia Motors America Asia Motors, Ltd Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company is a joint venture in China with Dongfeng Motor Corporation. MODEL LINEUP Passenger Car Kia Motors Group Avella (based on the Ford Aspire) Brisa (based on the Mazda Familia) Capital Concord (based on the Mazda Capella) Potentia (based on the Mazda Luce) Sephia/Mentor Pride (based on the Ford Festiva/Mazda 121) Subsidary of Hyundai Motor Group Visto (based on the Hyundai Atos/Santro) Amanti/Opirus Clarus/Credos Clarus/Credos II Elan/Vigato/Kia Roadster (based on the Lotus Elan) Enterprise (based on the Mazda Sentia) Magentis/Optima Morning/Picanto Magentis/Optima/Optima-Regal Potentia(New) Rio/Pride Rio(Cinco/RX-V) Rio SF/Rio Sephia/Mentor(New) Sephia/Spectra/Shuma Spectra Spectra/Cerato Lotze/Optima/Magentis SUV/Van Kia Motors Group Sportage Bongo (based on the Mazda Bongo) Besta (based on the Mazda Bongo) Wide-Bongo Power-Bongo Topic (based on the Mazda Bongo) Towner (based on the Daihatsu Hi-Jet) Rocsta Rocsta R2 Ceres Hyundai Motor Group Bongo-Frontier/K Series Carens Carens II/Carens Carnival Sedona/Carnival/Carnival II Sedona/Carnival/Grand-Carnival Sorento Sportage(CRDI/V6) Pregio Towner(New) Retona Joice/Carstar (concept by Mitsubishi Motors, design by Hyundai Motor Company, manufacturing by Kia Motors) Pregio/Bongo III K Series/Bongo III Commercial Vehicle Kia Motors Group Kia KB(based on the Hino Truck) Rhino/Wide-Boxer Kia Trade Kia Boxer(based on the Mazda Boxer) Kia AM Truck(based on the Hino Truck) Kia AM Bus Kia Granbird (Asia Motors) Kia Titan (based on the Mazda Titan) Kia Super-Titan Kia Jumbo-Titan Kia Granto Kia Combi kia Cosmos Hyundai Motor Group Kia Pamax (based on the Hyundai Mighty II) Kia Rhino (based on the Hino Ranger) Kia Granbird Kia Power-Combi Kia New Cosmos Kia Frontier (1.4ton/2.5ton)

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