KIA MOTORS DELIVERS 15,000 MEDICAL USE FACE SHIELDS TO THE GEORGIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Protective Face Shields Assembled at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Will Be Distributed to Healthcare Workers Across the State

• Using CDC social distancing guidelines, a portion of Kia’s U.S. plant has transformed into a specialty production area
• Production of personal protection equipment expands Kia’s “Accelerate the Good” efforts to help people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

IRVINE, Calif., April 23, 2020 – In response to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kia Motors has delivered an initial supply of 15,000 face shields produced at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA).

“Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia asked how they could help, and then stepped up to provide life-saving equipment for the heroes on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner, Pat Wilson. “We thank Kia once again for being such a strong partner in our Georgia-made family.” 

Face shields are being assembled by paid volunteers from KMMG, which has implemented a series of safety measures to protect team members, including: conducting temperature scans, providing face masks and gloves, and staggering workstations.

Kia will be gradually increasing face shield production, ultimately reaching a capacity of 200,000 units per month, in support of donations the company has scheduled over the next several weeks to medical facilities in Southern California and New York. Face shield production is the latest extension of Kia’s Accelerate the Good program following the company’s pledge to donate a total of $1 million to non-profit partners that assist homeless youth nationwide, including Covenant House, StandUp for Kids and Family Promise. Kia’s donation will help provide much needed shelter and care to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Earlier, Kia donated N95 masks and gloves to medical facilities throughout Orange County, California, where the brand’s U.S. headquarters is located.

“Kia is a proud member of the Georgia community and the talented team members of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia are giving it everything to supply desperately needed protective equipment to those on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia Motors North America. “Kia is grateful to both GEMA representatives and the healthcare workers on the frontlines of this crisis for their ongoing courage and bravery and hope that this donation helps them continue to give it everything.”

Kia will continue to look for ways to best utilize its resources and support its valued customers and communities during this time.

KIA MOTORS RANKED HIGHEST MASS MARKET BRAND FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN J.D. POWER U.S. INITIAL QUALITY STUDY

Kia Owners Reported Fewest Quality Issues Within the First 90 Days of Ownership Among All Non-Luxury Auto Brands in the U.S.

• Kia’s reported problem levels improved by two points over last year to secure the top spot over all non-luxury automakers and second among all brands, luxury and non-luxury
• Four Kia models included among the top 10 vehicles in the industry, the most of any brand
• The Rio subcompact, Forte compact, Sportage SUV and Sedona minivan each topped their respective segments

IRVINE, Calif., June 19, 2019 — For the fifth consecutive year, Kia was named the number one non-luxury automotive brand today by J.D. Power in the 2019 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), with a reported 70 problems per 100 vehicles, a two-point improvement over last year’s results. Kia’s continued success in IQS was led by having four models – Rio, Forte, Sportage and Soul -- included among the top 10 vehicles in the industry, the most of any brand. In addition, Kia had segment-topping performances from Rio (Small Car), Forte (Compact Car), Sportage (Small SUV) and Sedona (Minivan).

“Being ranked at the top of J.D. Power’s U.S. Initial Quality Study among all mass market brands once is a tremendous honor, but capturing this leadership position for five consecutive years unequivocally affirms Kia’s commitment to quality and the ownership experience,” said Michael Cole, chief operating officer and EVP, Kia Motors America. “With four segment winners – and three additional models ranking among the top three in their respective segments – Kia’s ‘Give It Everything’ brand philosophy has clearly yielded a world-class model lineup.”  

The annual report analyzed responses from 76,256 respondents with regards to 257 vehicle models across 26 segments. Vehicles were evaluated on driving experience, engine and transmission performance and a broad range of quality issues reported by vehicle owners.

KIA’S CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PROGRAM NAMED TO AUTOTRADER’S BEST PROGRAMS FOR 2019 LIST

Kia’s Program Lauded for Outstanding Warranty1 and Vehicle Availability

• Vehicles must undergo a meticulous 164-point Quality Assurance inspection by certified Kia technicians to qualify as a Kia Certified Pre-Owned
• Autotrader evaluates programs based on warranty, inventory and transferability to subsequent owners

IRVINE, Calif., May 29, 2019 — For the second consecutive year, Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned Program has been named one of Autotrader’s 10 Best Non-Luxury CPO Programs. The list recognizes the standout programs car shoppers should consider when buying pre-owned.    

 “Being recognized as one of the 10 best CPO programs for the second year in a row is further proof of     Kia’s ‘Give It Everything’ spirit,” said Bill Peffer, vice president, sales operations, Kia Motors America.  “Kia’s high-quality CPO vehicles offer shoppers outstanding value and peace of mind.”

The experts at Autotrader researched all programs, identifying the 10 Best Non-Luxury and 10 Best Luxury CPO programs to help consumers narrow their shopping list and provide a sense of security. The 2019 10 Best Non-Luxury and Luxury CPO Programs were identified based on a series of factors, including powertrain warranty length (with a minimum of six years or 100,000 miles of coverage from the original sale date), available inventory, bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage and transferability to future vehicle owners.

“Kia’s certified program has one big benefit:  buyers get a 10 year / 100,000 mile total powertrain warranty,” said Brian Moody, Autotrader, executive editor. “Even those who might not plan to keep their CPO Kia that long still benefit as the program is transferable to the next buyer should your automotive needs change.”

KMA’s CPO program accepts only Kia vehicles that are five years or newer with fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer, and requires a meticulous 164-point Quality Assurance inspection by certified Kia technicians. CPO vehicles also come with a 10-year / 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and 12-month / 12,000 mile-Platinum Coverage. Whether it’s the midsize Optima sedan, iconic Soul or the Sorento SUV that drivers dream of, customers get a great price matched with superb quality, bypassing the stress, risk and uncertainty that typically comes with buying a previously owned vehicle.

ALL-NEW KIA TELLURIDE WINS SUV CATEGORY AT INAUGURAL TEXAS OFF-ROAD INVITATIONAL

Big and Bold Utility Vehicle Beats All Comers for Top Honors

• Its prowess in the muck and its luxurious and refined ride wins over voters

IRVINE, Calif., May 15, 2019 — The all-new Kia Telluride won first place in the SUV category at the first-ever Texas Off-Road Invitational held by the Texas Motor Press Association. More than 30 truck and sport-utility media evaluated the all-new mid-size SUV at General Sam’s Offroad Park in Huntsville, Texas. After comparing it to more than a dozen other SUVS, many of them legendary off-roaders and luxury utility vehicles, the Telluride was voted best.

“Jurors were impressed by the Telluride’s off-road prowess, which rivaled that of traditionally rough-and-ready SUVs in muddy, steep, rocky, and sandy terrain,” says Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, vice president, Texas Motor Press Association. “It also took on the challenge of driving through hub-high water with ease. For Texans, it is important to be able to easily transition from urban to suburban to ranch lifestyles, including off-roading scenarios. It’s also important that a vehicle be priced right for its abilities and build quality. The Telluride proved to Texas Motor Press Association jurors that it is the best combination of those qualities of all the vehicles tested during two days of competition.”

This is the third best-in-show award the Telluride has received in May. The other two coming from the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) “Mudfest” and the Texas Auto Writers Association “Texas Auto Roundup”.

“The Telluride continues to rack up the awards and accolades” said Michael Cole, chief operating officer, Kia Motors America. “It’s particularly impressive that this award comes from a group of experienced off-road and truck media. The Telluride was conceived of, designed and developed in, and is being assembled in this country—it’s a SUV for America, so it’s perfect that it’s being so well received in America.”*

KIA TELLURIDE PICKS UP AWARD AT ANNUAL NORTHWEST AUTOMOTIVE PRESS ASSOCIATION’S “MUDFEST”

Big and Bold Utility Vehicle Gives It Everything On- and Off-Road

• All-new CUV wins “Mid- and Full-Size Family” utility vehicle category
• Telluride also named runner up as NWAPA’s 2019 Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year

IRVINE, Calif., May 9, 2019 — After two days of driving more than 20 vehicles through a mix of on-road handling and off-road courses at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wash., member journalists of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) named the Telluride as the “Mid- and Full-Size CUV” category winner at the association’s 25th annual Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year event, also known as “Mudfest.” 

“We’re honored to hear the Telluride continued its award-winning streak following NWAPA’s Mudfest, especially as it comes on the heels of being crowned the ‘CUV of Texas,’” said Michael Cole, chief operating officer and executive vice president, KMA. “Given the mountainous landscape in the Pacific Northwest, NWAPA member journalists know what to look for in adventure vehicles, and we are beyond proud that the Telluride’s capable performance and rugged luxury surpassed this adventurous group of journalists’ expectations.”

Mudfest’s on-road portion of evaluations tested acceleration, handling, braking, and more on a track complete with elevation changes, sharp corners, and sweeping curves. The vehicles were also evaluated on an off-road course that challenged vehicles with plenty of loose dirt, deep ruts, and steep climbs and descents.

“With bold styling and an attractive interior, Kia’s all-new Telluride easily sets itself apart from the crowd,” said Perry Stern, co-chair of NWAPA Mudfest. “There’s plenty of power on tap and Telluride stays comfortable no matter what the terrain serves up which helped put this new Kia at the top of its category at this year’s Mudfest.”

KIA TELLURIDE NAMED “CUV OF TEXAS” BY THE TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION

Kia’s Biggest and Boldest Utility Vehicle Also Tops “Mid-Sized CUV” Category at the 2019 TAWA Auto Roundup

IRVINE, Calif., May 1, 2019 – After two days of driving and evaluations, journalist members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride “CUV of Texas” as well as the “Mid-Size CUV” category winner at the association’s recent Auto Roundup event. The results were based on the assessments of the 44 journalist members of TAWA who attended the event and evaluated 29 vehicles across a wide variety of criteria.

“The Telluride was designed in California, assembled in Georgia, and has now been honored in Texas with two awards from this distinguished group of journalists,” said Michael Cole, COO and executive vice president, Kia Motors America. “TAWA members know automotive, especially utility vehicles, and Telluride being crowned not only the ‘CUV of Texas’ but also ‘Mid-Sized CUV’, is further proof of Kia’s ‘Give It Everything’ credo. It’s true what they say: Everything, even Telluride, is bigger in Texas.”

After driving each vehicle on predetermined street and track courses, TAWA members voted on the top vehicles in a variety of categories. Journalists were encouraged drive the vehicles as they would if they were simulating their own day-to-day driving conditions.

NIRO EV NAMED CAR OF THE YEAR BY POPULAR MECHANICS

Performance, Practicality, Packaging—All Factors in Win

• “Amazing, Fantastic, Totally Normal Electric Car,” says revered magazine
• From road trips to running around, Niro EV impresses PM editors

NEW YORK, April 18, 2019 — Kia Motors America (KMA) is pleased to announce that the Niro EV was selected “Car of the Year” by Popular Mechanics magazine.

“We picked the Niro EV for Car of the Year because it’s an electric car that would be appealing even if it weren’t electric,” says Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics automotive editor. “But it is electric, and it delivers the usual EV benefits without much in the way of EV sacrifices. It’s smooth, quick and quiet, with plenty of range and an affordable price. The Niro EV feels like a preview of the near future, when cars like this are the norm. But right now it’s the exception."

The magazine praised the crossover Niro EV for its design, style, performance and practicality, citing its comfort on the highway during a long road trip as well as its functionality as an everyday runabout.

“We’re thrilled by this award,” says Michael Cole, COO and executive vice president, KMA. “When a publication with the storied reputation of Popular Mechanics selects your vehicle over the competition, it’s a momentous event. We’re proud of the Niro EV and its place in our fleet of all-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles At Kia we strive to provide the best vehicles possible and this reward validates our efforts.”