Kia Optima and Soul ranked highest in class in J.D. Power & Associates study!

IRVINE, Calif., July 25, 2012 - Kia Motors America (KMA) is the fastest-growing car company in the U.S. and two of its best-selling vehicles – the Optima and Soul – were awarded the highest ranking scores in their respective segments within the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.^℠ The Optima ranked highest in a tie in the "Midsize Car" category, while the Soul claimed the highest ranking in the "Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)" grouping. The APEAL study measures new-vehicle buyers' gratification with the design, content, layout and performance of their newly-purchased vehicles.

Top-of the-line Kia Optima SX Limited is now available with a host of premium features and materials -->

"As key entries in Kia's design-led transformation, the Optima and Soul have attracted new customers to our showrooms, and the results of the J.D. Power and Associates' APEAL Study illustrates just how delighted these new buyers are with the purchase of their new Kia vehicles," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications, KMA. "Both of these popular models, along with the rest of the Kia vehicle line, continue to deliver on a promise to offer U.S. consumers high-quality vehicles with an impressive combination of design, performance, comfort, safety and technology. All of this while still maintaining the brand's unmatched value proposition."

This year's study emphasizes the point that although buyers are continuing to downsize, they are looking for vehicles that are as appealing and well-contented as the larger ones they previously owned. Both the Optima and the Soul allow consumers to shop for a smaller, more affordable vehicle without having to make sacrifices in quality and amenities.

The 2012 APEAL Study is based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes. Responses were gathered between February and May 2012 from more than 74,000 new car and light truck owners who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality¹ and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking². Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.³ Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Courtesy of: Kia Media

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Kia Racing is Brickyard Bound to Regain Title in Indianapolis

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Kia Racing Is Brickyard-Bound In Bid To Regain GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Points Lead In Indianapolis

--Kia Racing Team's Michael Galati to Co-drive No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup With Mathew Pombo While Mark Pombo Continues His Recovery - No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup pilots Andy Lally and Nic Jonsson sit third in Street Tuner (ST) points with three races remaining - Large contingent of local Kia dealers to cheer on Kia Racing for first competitive outing at legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]IRVINE, Calif., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The birthplace of U.S. auto racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), is the site for Round Eight of the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC). Kia Racing's Infinity Audio Forte Koups take to the Brickyard for the first time, and Kia Motors becomes the first Korean automaker to take the green flag at the legendary 103-year-old racetrack. Co-pilots of the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup, Nic Jönsson and Andy Lally, look to bounce back after a challenging race at Watkins Glen in Round Seven and regain the points lead in the Street Tuner (ST) class.

Returning to the track after a single-race hiatus is the No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup piloted by Mathew Pombo. Pombo's co-driver will be none-other than Kia Racing team member Michael Galati, who helped clinch Kia Racing's ST Driver and Team Championships last season in the No. 10 Koup, and who has spent the first half of the 2012 racing season behind the wheel of one of Kia's new turbocharged Optima racecars in the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) series. Galati, who has already posted a victory in his PWC Optima, will fill in for the rest of the 2012 CTSCC season while Mark Pombo continues his recovery at home following his incident at Road America in June.

"Michael was our first and only choice to keep the seat warm while Mark gets healthy and back up to speed," said Russell Smith, co-owner of Kia's racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports. "He's already part of the Kia Racing family, he knows the Forte Koup very well, and he was instrumental in helping Kia win the championship in 2011. He and Mat will make an excellent driver pairing, and fortunately, there are no scheduling conflicts, so Michael will also be able to continue with his Optima driving duties for the remaining two World Challenge races."

The last two outings for Kia Racing's Forte Koups have been daunting, and the high-caliber CTSCC competitors aren't expected to make it easy for the team when the series hits Indy's famous yard of bricks. Indianapolis will be a new experience for the Kia Racing family but hopes are running high that teammates Jönsson and Lally will once again take the points lead in the ST class following this weekend's 2.5-hour race.

"Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the epicenter of auto racing in the U.S., and it's a great honor for Kia to compete with two highly competitive Forte Koups at a track with this much motorsports heritage," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia Racing continues to showcase the performance, quality, durability and safety of our cars, and our motorsports success is taking the Kia brand to new heights and helping us to reach a new enthusiast audience."

The Brickyard Sports Car Challenge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, July 27. The green flag drops at 1 p.m. ET. Check out live race status, photos and updates at www.facebook.com/kiaracing . Race fans can also tune in for television coverage on SPEED Sunday, August 5 at 12 p.m. ET. (Time and date subject to change. Check local listings).

Courtesy of Kia Motors America

Kia's International Design Credibility Blooms

A trifecta of prestigious international design awards has confirmed what the public and media experts have been saying _ Kia stands out from the crowd.

Kia's baby Rio, winner of the Carsguide Car Of The Year for 2011 and Australia's Best Car for the Light Cars under $20,000 segment, picked up a pair of prestigious international awards for its styling, quality, innovation and practical capabilities.

The Rio was awarded a 2012 Red Dot Design Award in March this year against the best the world has to offer and backed up this month with a bronze medal in the transportation design category of the IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards) program, administered by the Industrial Design Society of America.

Since its inception in 1955, the Red Dot Design award has become one of the world's largest and most recognized design competitions. This year 1800 companies from 58 countries submitted to the Red Dot product design category.

The new Kia Rio was awarded thanks to its "powerful personality, created by a distinct wedge shape, a low roofline and its metal-to-glass ratio". The jury praised not only the Rio's self-contained design, but also its sound workmanship. Kia has won six Red Dot awards since 2009 with vehicles like the Soul, Optima and Sportage.

The IDEA awards are decided on by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and recognize designs that affect a person's quality of life in 18 categories. This year, the Kia Rio received Bronze honours in the Transportation category.

The judging panel cited its fresh, sporty feeling; exciting design, and environmental credentials, saying "the Rio is a car that is extremely attractive with a fresh feeling of sportiness _ a car that people will want to buy for its looks as well as its environmental credentials In the 2012 model Kia created a car that answers consumer demand for more quality, more choice and a more attractive, exciting design."

The third leg of the design trifecta went to the Picanto which, in addition to a Red Dot Design Award, collected an iF (International Design Forum) Award from the Hanover-based global design recognition organization.

Courtesy of Paddoktalk.com

Monday Maintenance Tip: Essential Items to Keep in Your Car

Owner’s Manual
The hefty owner’s manual found in your glove box is probably the first item to get moved out when you need room to store that iPod connector and GPS unit, but you never know when you’ll need it while on the road. In it, you can find all kinds of information from an explanation on the warning light that just illuminated or the type of oil your car requires –bits of knowledge that you’d rather not guess on when the time comes.

Jumper Cables
Leave your lights on overnight? Yep, we’ve done it too. In fact, most drivers have experienced the sound of a sharp click instead of an engine turning over at one time or another, but those who have jumper cables don’t need to panic or have to rely on the tow truck. If you have cables within reach, flagging down a fellow driver and connecting the leads is all it takes to get your car going again.

Distilled Water
We can’t live without the stuff, which means water tends to come in handy when stranded by the side of the road. Keeping a container of water in your car will help stave off dehydration while you wait for help to come. In warmer areas, it can also be used to top off your radiator so your car doesn’t overheat – just be sure to use distilled water instead of tap water to avoid rust formation.

First-Aid Kit
We keep Band-Aids, antiseptic cream and a variety of other first-aid items tucked away in a medicine cabinet at home, so it makes sense to have a first-aid kit in your car too. You’ll delve into it to cover up that paper cut on your kid’s finger or to administer more critical first aid in serious situations.

Duct Tape and Rope
Duct tape and rope have about a million uses, and while they can create a mean cat’s cradle and impervious wallets, they also tend to help in automotive situations. The two inexpensive items may not save your life, but duct tape can help you hold your glove box closed if the latch breaks and rope can be used to strap down a piece of furniture you’re transporting across town. They’ll just make life a little easier.

Blanket or Large Towel
Anything large enough to cover you and provide extra warmth will do the job here. The goal with a blanket is that it should keep you nice and toasty if the heater breaks or you have to spend the night in your car, when staying warm is a priority.

Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman
They don’t call them multi-tools for nothing; these handy little gadgets hold pint-sized versions of the tools you’ll need in everyday life and they are so compact that there’s no reason not to have one in your glove box. From screwdrivers to tweezers, you’ll always have a tool suited for the job at hand.

Tire Pressure Gauge 
Maintaining the recommended pressure in your tires is important for a number of reasons– fuel economy stays on target and your tires are less likely to blow out. Having a tire pressure gauge in the car means you can quickly check the pressure anywhere, and you won’t have to rely on the potentially inaccurate ones at the gas station.

Snack Bar
If you’ve ever spent three hours stationary on the highway because a trucker decided to spill his entire load of canned goods across four lanes, you’ll know exactly how important having a little snack in the car can be. No one wants to resort to scrounging for food in the seat cushions and feeling lightheaded from hunger while driving probably isn’t the safest option. A snack bar goes a long way when waiting for a tow truck to reach you as well.

Napkins, Tissues or Paper Towels
We tend to do a lot of eating and drinking in our cars – it’s only natural when we spend so much time in them. But spills also happen, and so do marker stains, runny noses and even bouts of crying – hey, everyone’s had a bad day, right? Be able to give friends a lift with dignity by keeping your car, your kids, and your face clean.

Updated Registration and Insurance Card
Even the best of us get pulled over for some reason or another. The laws vary state to state, but most require you show registration and proof of insurance when you get pulled over. Don’t make the nice policeman mad by not having the proper documentation on you. Your insurance card and all the information it contains will also be mighty useful if you get into a fender bender.

 

Courtesy of Carcare.org

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