Top 12 Little-Know Facts About KIA Motors

Interesting Facts About KIA Motors

Kia Motors has grown from a relatively unknown underdog car manufacturer to a global market leader in just over 20 years. Kia vehicles are extremely popular all over the world, and their extensive lineup ranges from compact hatchbacks and SUVs to minivans and performance sedans.

Kia owners, both domestic and international, praise their vehicles for their affordability, exceptional quality, and simplicity.

That is not to say that Kia vehicles are boring and uninteresting; in recent years, their technology and features have grown to match those of their competitors. Some enthusiasts believe that Kia today is what Japanese automakers were in the 1990s and early 2000s: a manufacturer of affordable, dependable, and high-quality vehicles for the general public.

Of course, Kia is not the same as Ferrari or Porsche in terms of heritage, status, and "cool factor." Nonetheless, there are many interesting, little-known gems in Kia's history. In this article, we've compiled a list of little-known facts about Kia Motors that may change your mind about the humble, yet determined Korean manufacturer.

1. Kia is Considered as South Korea’s Oldest and Most Durable Car Manufacturing Company

When Korea was still ruled by Japan during the Second World War, Kia Motors was established on December 11, 1944. They began their careers by producing personal vehicles, primarily bicycles and motorcycles. Later in the 1970s, Kia introduced its own line of automobiles and trucks.

2. The Name Translates As "Rising From The East"

As Kia themselves claim, their name is not just a meaningless syllable. It actually consists of two Sino-Korean characters: 起 (ki), which means "to come out" or "to rise," and 亞 (a), which means "East" or "Asia." Hence, the name translates at "Coming from Asia" or "Rising from the East.". Hotcars explained.

3. Kia is Known to Be Giving More Attention to The Automobile Market in Europe

Since 2005, Kia has placed a significant emphasis on the European market. It hired German auto designer Peter Schreyer, whose most well-known creation is the Audi TT, in order to increase its chances of future growth on the continent. In the UK alone, Kia is one of the businesses with the fastest growth rates.

4. They Dominate The Korean Market

The word "chaebol" may not be widely known in the United States, but it is a part of life in Korea. It alludes to an industrial conglomerate that manages affairs in a manner resembling a cross between an industry and a mafia family. Such a chaebol is comprised of Hyundai, Kia, and its various affiliates in South Korea. They not only rule the automobile industry but also steel, insurance, and trade.

In other words, because Kia is a part of a massive monopoly, Hyundai or Kia account for almost 80% of the vehicles sold in South Korea. According to Thethings, this has led to criticism of their strategies with unions but also shows how important Kia is to the economies of those countries.

5. So Many Awards in Such a Short Time

Photo: KIAMotorsCameroun.com

J.D. Power consistently gives Kia cars "best quality" awards. More recently, their Telluride SUV—the first SUV to do so—won the "Triple Crown" of automotive awards. Triple Crown refers to taking home three prestigious honors, including the MotorTrend SUV of the Year, the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year from North American Car of the Year (NACTOY), and a Car and Driver 10 Best Award.

Since 2010, Kia has received a total of 18 iF Awards for the designs of its vehicles, making it the first company to complete three consecutive iF Design hat tricks. According to Carspiritpk, the business has also taken home a number of other international honors for automotive design and customer satisfaction.

6. Kia Closely Cooperated With the Japanese Manufacturer Mazda Way Back in the mid-60s

In order to create a partnership that would be advantageous to both parties, the South Korean company Kia worked with Mazda of Japan. It worked out well for Kia because they were able to create their own engine in the early 1970s. Then, two years later, Kia produced the Kia Brisa, a Mazda 1300 replica that was their first ever self-designed vehicle.

Qatar received the first Kia Brisa shipment.

7. The Slogan of This Automobile Company is “The Power to Surprise”

The catchphrase undoubtedly aids Kia Motors in promoting its brand internationally. The business strives to offer a distinctive experience to both its clients and to its guiding principles of "spirited," "human-driven," and "challenger."

8. They’ve Dominated India In A Short Time

The fact that even their best vehicles are quite economical contributes to Kia's continued success. That has played a significant role in their rapid hegemony over India. The business established a sizable manufacturing facility in India in 2019 and began producing Seltos there. Kia has made over a billion dollars in investments, and so far they are paying off. According to Thethings, the company has sold 40,000 models in just a few months, outpacing even real Indian manufacturers in sales.

9. The Secret Behind Kia Ceed’s Name

The Ceed is the first automobile produced by Kia that was specifically constructed in accordance with European quality standards. The car was intended to be sold and produced solely in Europe, according to Kia. The name of the car reflects the function for which it was designed. The "Community of Europe and European Design" is referred to as Ceed.

The letters "CE" and "ED" in the name stand for "European Community or Community of Europe" and "European Design," respectively.

10. Kia Sportage

Undoubtedly among the best and most well-liked SUVs is the Kia Sportage. In 1994, the first Sportage was made available. It was built on the chassis of the Mazda Bongo. At first, only the Karmann factory in Osnabrück, Germany, produced Kia Sportages. Later, the company began manufacturing its succeeding generations in Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Korea.

11. Kia is Inspired by Maserati

Who doesn't adore the opulent vehicles made by this Italian firm, Maserati? The Maserati Ghibli and other 1970s GTs served as inspiration for Kia's Stinger. The 272kW, 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine in the rear-wheel-drive Stinger is said to be capable of 0–100 km/h acceleration in less than five seconds.

12. Kia Is Owned By Hyundai Now

Some people might not be shocked, but those who thought the two Korean manufacturers were bitter rivals will be. Furthermore, even though Kia and Hyundai may still engage in friendly competition, they are actually the same business.

Kia and Hyundai together rank as the third-largest automaker in the world. Kia has been a Hyundai subsidiary since 1998.

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