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Kia's history

  • History

    70 years of progress and innovation

History of Kia

  • 2016

    9

    Kia at the 2016 Paris Motor Show Kia Unveils its Biggest European Dealership – in London Kia Officially Opens Mexico Production Facility

    8

    Kia Expands Green Space Around Production Sites Mobile App for Optima – Awarded at Red Dot Design

    7

    Kia Optima And Sedona Earn Autopacific's 2016 Ideal Vehicle Awards Kia reduces environmental impact of vehicle production Kia returns as Official Sponsor of Telemundo's web series "El Maestro" Featuring Latin Grammy Winner Luis Enrique 2017 Kia Sorento Achieves Top Safety Pick Plus Rating From The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety Kia Mexico celebrates first year anniversary and announces hybrid model for local market

    6

    Kia Ranked Number One in the Auto Industry for Initial Quality by J.D. Power Kia recognized as one of the highest quality brands in the US auto industry by Strategic Vision Kia brings fans closer to UEFA EURO 2016™ with five-a-side tournament and new social media campaign Kia ranks highest among all popular brands in 2016 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards Kia Optima And Soul Named Among The Best Family Cars Of 2016 By Parents Magazine And Edmunds.com

    5

    Kia backs creation of community auto mechanic training centers in Ethiopia and Kenya Kia hands over vehicle fleet for UEFA EURO 2016

    4

    Kia and Total renew partnership 2017 Kia Sportage Receives Top Safety Pick Plus Rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Kia returns to Mom 2.0 Summit for second straight year

    3

    Kia reveals three new models for Europe at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ for latest Kia models All-new 2017 Kia Cadenza takes the stage at the New York International Auto Show Kia produces two millionth vehicle in the U.S.

    2

    The NEW Mohave Launched Kia America Announces Pricing For The All New 2017 Sportage Kia Optima Sportswagon world debut Kia to Unveil Optima Plug-in Hybrid, The Next Step in its 'green' Car Revolution All new Kia Optima Hybrid unveiled at 2016 Chicago Auto Show All new 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle arrives in the Windy City for global debut at Chicago Auto Show

    1

    ALL NEW K7 Launched Participated in 2016 Consumer Electronics Show(CES) Participated in 2016 North American International Auto Show Official Support for 2016 Australian Open Coveted Design Awards for All-New Kia Sportage and Optima

  • 2015

    12

    Five-star safety ratings for all-new Kia Optima and Sportage Kia takes first place in Auto Bild magazine’s Quality Report Kia granted Nevada autonomous driving license Three brands (Sorento and K5, etc) – Received 2015 Good Design Award 2nd Release of X-Car Series – Mystique Official Website of Kia Corporation – Received 2015 Web Award Korea Grand Prize The New K3 Launched K5 Hybrid Launched

    11

    Kia Sorento wins coveted Public Car of the Year title at Middle East Car of the Year Awards Kia celebrates the spirit of the American road trip at 2015 SEMA Show Kia previews next-generation Cadenza 2016 Kia Optima earns Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Best Buy Award

    10

    Kia Announces Fifth Consecutive Monthly Sales Record Kia continues Sorento marketing campaign with expanded ‘NBC Sunday Night Football’ partnership Kia America Expands Soul EV Availability to Four Additional States Kia America Announces Pricing Of All-New 2016 Optima Kia Soul Wins Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Award

    9

    Russian Branch - Hit accumulated sales records of 1 million units Super Racer Enzy, a racing animation, premiered at cinemas nationwide Released Sportage, The SUV Joined 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Sportage ranked 4th for Frankfurt Motor Show’s Best Cars Kia unveils all-new Sportage and Optima at 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show Global debut for all-new Kia Sportage at Frankfurt Motor Show (with video) · Kia launches stylish new ‘Rhythm in Basic’ brand collection

    8

    Launched 2016 Sorento Launched morning sports Mobile Web for All New Sorento & Soul EV – Awarded at Red Dot Design Official Sponsor of the 20th PIFF Pusan International Film Festival Kia Cadenza earns AutoPacific’s 2015 Ideal Vehicle Award in Large Car category

    7

    Launched New K5 Kia K900 (Quoris) sets record-high score in AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards 2015 Kia Sedona (Grand Carnival) receives J.D. Power APEAL award Kia posts global sales of 230,227 vehicles in July

    6

    Transfer Fund 'k7 doneisyeon' RV Camping Zone operations inside the exhibition Kia vehicle exports from Korea to surpass 15 million units in June Kia earns best-ever ranking in 2015 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Kia holds official brand launch ceremony in Mexico

    5

    Hosted Brand experience event 'Surprise Weekend' Hosted Korea Ladies Professional Glof Association 29th Hosted KIAREDMEMBERS 'Palpitating Driving class'

    4

    Launched The new 2015 Sportage. All-new 2016 Optima makes debut at the SEOUL MOTOR SHOW 2015 2016 Sedona(Grand Carnival) receives NHTSA 5 Star rating Sedona(Grand Carnival) named to Ward’s 10 Best Interiors list All-new Optima(K5) makes debut and launched the new Quoris(K9) at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition 2015 2016 all-new Sorento CUV receives NHTSA 5 Star rating

    3

    Morning' small car brand power No.1 in the Korea Brand Power Index, KMAC Second consecutive sponsorship of Copa America Chile 2015 Became the official sponsor of the KBO league in automotive sector Launched '2016 all-new Sedona' Soul EV and all-new Sorento, Double win for Kia in the 2015 Red Dot design awards

    2

    Received 2015 iF Award for Sorento.

    1

    Became the official sponsor of the Australia Open Tennis Championships 2015. Reported production of over 1 million units of the Kia Soul at the Gwangju Plant. Launched The New Morning. Launched Kia Red Members, Kia's membership brand.

  • 2014

    12

    Launched the Forte 2015 Launched The New Rio Recertified as a Customer Focused Company

    11

    Launched The New K9. Received 2014 Korea Color Award for the all new Sedona and all new Sorento. Opened Kia's corporate culture communication website. Assisted the 10,000th person in need of transportation.

    10

    Ranked 74th in Interbrand's Best Global Brands rankings. Launched a smartphone app for roadside assistance. Ran Carnation, an online donation campaign. Unveiled the Taste of Kia.

    9

    Officially sponsored the 2014 Busan International Film Festival. Ran RE:Design, a global brand campaign. Hosted an amateur tennis tournament in celebration of Kia Korea Open.

    8

    Launched the All New Sorento. Opened a middle school in Malawi, Africa. Received two awards for its sustainability report for 2014. Officially sponsored the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

    7

    Received the Vision Award in the U.S. for 2014 MOVE, Kia's sustainability report. Ranked highest in APEAL study.

    6

    The All New Sedona is launched.

    4

    The Soul EV is launched.

    2

    The Soul EV becomes the first in the industry to be given Underwriters Laboratory's environmental validation.

  • 2013

    12

    Kia's social contribution website opens.

    10

    The All New Soul with a two tone roof and customized red zone is unveiled. Kia Fragrance is launched. The All New Soul is launched.

    6

    The face-lifted New Optima is launched. Kia is named 37th in Interbrand's list of 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013.

    4

    Kia's accumulated overseas sales exceed 50 million units.

    3

    Four Kia cars receive red dot Design Awards.

  • 2012

    10

    Kia ranks 87th in Interbrand's list of 100 Best Global Brands