Kia Named To "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012" List By Total Car Score

press release


June 12, 2012, 7:00 a.m. EDT
--Fastest-Growing Automotive Brand[1] Posts Largest Year-Over-Year Improvement on List - Kia Motors posts biggest improvement over 2011 with a 3.76-point gain in average score - Kia is one of only two non-luxury brands to receive honor
IRVINE, Calif., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Total Car Score ( www.totalcarscore.com ), one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named Kia Motors America (KMA) as one of its "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012." One of only two non-luxury brands listed, the fastest-growing automotive brand in the U.S. also posted the biggest improvement over 2011 with a gain of 3.76 points. The list, based on the average Total Car Score for every model within the manufacturer's product line up, comes on the heels of the 2012 Soul urban passenger vehicle and 2012 Sorento midsize CUV being honored with "Top Scoring Car Awards" and the 2012 Forte compact sedan landing on the "Top Cars for College Grads" list from the website.

"With record sales that have contributed to Kia becoming the fastest growing car company in the U.S. over the last five years and a full line of critically acclaimed vehicles, consumer awareness of the Kia brand has dramatically increased, and this recent accolade from Total Car Score is further evidence of the breadth of our transformation," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia continues to be committed to offering consumers a comprehensive array of vehicles with a hard-to-beat formula of cutting-edge technologies, high fuel efficiency, immense value and world-class design."

The "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012" list by Total Car Score is based on numerical ratings for 2012 model year vehicles currently on the market. The list provides a data-driven assessment of which automakers are producing the most desirable, highest quality cars, crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks.

"As one of only two non-premium brands on the list, Kia has validated its ongoing efforts to produce some of the best cars on the market," said Karl Brauer, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Total Car Score.

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 quality[2] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[3]. 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. 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.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website - www.kia.com . For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com .

About Total Car Score

Total Car Score is an automotive research and comparison website that establishes a new industry-wide standard for ranking every car, truck, van and crossover on the market. TotalCarScore.com evaluates and ranks cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. The site also features original content, reviews and insights from a veteran automotive journalism and data team. For more information, please go to www.totalcarscore.com .


[1] Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending April 2007 and April 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

[2] Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study.

[3] Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis.