DETROIT,
Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --Kia
Motors America's (KMA) 20th anniversary year was one for the history books,
with the fast-moving brand selling its five millionth vehicle in the U.S. and
delivering the best first half, third quarter, fourth quarter and full-year
sales totals in company history in 2014. With over 20 all-new or significantly
redesigned vehicles introduced since 2009, KMA's sales have more than doubled,
enabling Kia to become the 8th
largest auto brand in the U.S. by sales volume. Leading 2014's historic
performance were the U.S.-built* Optima, which established a new
single-nameplate record of 159,020 units sold, and the iconic Soul, which saw
sales increase for the fifth straight year. Kia's aggressive launch cycle
continued in 2014 with the introduction of the K9001, the brand's first
rear-wheel drive luxury sedan; the all-new Sedona multi-purpose vehicle; the
Soul EV2, the centerpiece of Kia's
clean mobility program, and completely redesigned 2016 Sorento CUV, which
raises the bar on the segment with its refinement, capability and first-class
amenities.
Kia's signature combination of
European-inspired styling, world-class quality, advanced technology and outstanding
value continues to raise perception of the brand with consumers and industry
observers alike, attracting more affluent and style-conscious customers into
showrooms and leading to more industry awards and accolades in 2014 than ever
before. According to Interbrand's exclusive list of the 100 "Best Global
Brands," Kia's
brand value has risen by 480-percent since the hiring of president and chief
design officer, Peter Schreyer outpacing the average growth rate of all 11
other automakers on the list over the same period. Additional 2014 honors and
achievements included:
·
Ranked
6th in the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Studysm (IQS) (second Top 10
ranking)
·
Highest-ranked
mainstream brand in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index Study
·
Named
"Best Value Brand" by Kelley Blue Book
·
Ranked
35th by Interbrand as a Top 50 Green Brand
"More
customers turned to Kia
last year than ever before as we celebrated our 20th anniversary in the U.S.,
and as we begin the new year, our robust marketing and sales initiatives will
continue to drive interest and consideration for Kia and its world-class
vehicles," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, sales &
marketing, KMA. "Kia's
long-term strategy of concentrating on quality, strengthening the brand,
elevating the ownership experience and identifying new opportunities for growth
has had a powerful and transformative effect as we continue to challenge
everything people think they know about the brand."
Another
major contributor to Kia's
success in 2014 is the brand's U.S. manufacturing plant Kia Motors
Manufacturing Georgia in West Point, Georgia. The plant, which is responsible
for the creation of more than 14,000 direct and supplier jobs, assembles the
Optima and Sorento, which were two of Kia's top three sellers last year. As
further evidence of the company's unwavering commitment and ambition,
construction of a second North American manufacturing facility is currently
underway in Mexico and will increase vehicle supply in the U.S. when production
begins in 2016.
As part
of KMA's strategic marketing plan, Kia executed
several major sports and music sponsorships and initiatives in 2014, including
joining NBC's "Sunday Night Football," 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil,
MTV's Video Music Awards and NBC's "The Voice." Kia also returned as
a Super Bowl advertiser in 2014 for the fifth straight year with the K900
starring in a 60-second spot and recently announced its return to the big game
in 2015 with the all-new Sorento starring alongside Pierce Brosnan in this
year's spot. Also in 2014, Kia expanded its role as the "Official
Automotive Partner of the NBA" with a new multiyear agreement, and
ten-time NBA All-Star Lebron James joined Kia's roster of high-profile
ambassadors, which includes fellow NBA All-Star Blake Griffin, tennis superstar
Rafael Nadal, and U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie. Kia continues to
serve as the "Official Automotive Partner of the LPGA" (Ladies
Professional Golf Association) with the annual Kia Classic tournament returning
to Carlsbad, California, in March.
2014
also marked Kia's fifth year of road racing in the U.S., and at the conclusion
of the season Kia became the first Korean brand to win the Pirelli World
Challenge (PWC) Grand Touring Sport (GTS) Manufacturer Championship on the
strength of five pole positions, five race wins and 13 podium finishes during
the 16-race PWC season. Adding to the championship haul was rookie Jason Wolfe,
pilot of the No. 36 Richard Wolfe Trucking Kia Forte Koup, who also scored four
wins and 10 podium finishes in 2014 to secure the PWC Driver Championship in
the Touring Car A (TC-A) class and earn Kia its second PWC Manufacturer title
of the year.
From
large-scale marketing activities and road racing victories to charitable
partnerships with the B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-active Driving School, the Pacific
Marine Mammal Center, UNCF (formerly United Negro College Fund), Girls, Inc.,
and a #GivingTuesday initiative with DonorsChoose.org, 2014 was a historic year
for the Kia brand which begins its third decade in the U.S. with tremendous
momentum and one of the youngest and best-looking lineups in the business.
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