Kia Make Overview
Kia Questions
How To Reset THIS Sunroof
2016 Sorento with panoramic sunroof does not function in automatic modes, does not stop at closed (goes into vent mode), sunshade does not function properly, must be trying to reset system as per ma...
Class Action On KIA?
FYI Kia owners: KiaEngineClassSettlement.com for more information.
Why Doesn't My Kia Optima Start?
2004 Kia Optima V6 EX Recreantly there was no power and no start. The battery worked, so I thought starter. Changed it. problem remains. Father n law squeezes the starter relay, starts right up. T...
Kia Rondo Fan Resistor Switch
I want to bypass resistor and make it manual control fan
08 Kia Sorento Wiring Diagram.
I need a wiring diagram for 08 Kia Sorento. I am trying to locate a short to my interview instrument panel.
Older Kia Models
Kia Amanti | Kia Borrego | Kia K900 |
Kia Mentor | Kia Optima Hybrid Plug-In | Kia Potentia |
Kia Pride | Kia Rondo | Kia Sephia |
Kia Overview
"Arise from Asia," the translation of Kia's name, is exactly what Kia did in the early 1990s, seemingly out of nowhere. But the South Korean automaker has been in existence since 1994, as a bicycle and later truck manufacturer. In the 1970s, it was the first Korean automaker to produce the internal combustion engine, and the first to produce a passenger car.
Second only to Korean rival Hyundai, Kia's motto was quality cars, with a strong emphasis on safety and low-cost affordability. Its first appearance in the U.S. was as the Ford Festiva in 1987, essentially a rebadged Kia Pride. With a growing Korean economy, Kia decided to launch its first car in the U.S., the Sephia sedan. Its marketing strategy was to introduce the car gradually, starting in the West Coast and moving across the country. Word of mouth about the economy cars quickly enhanced Kia's reputation and the carmaker soon introduced its compact Sportage SUV, which went on to win several awards and a spot on many top ten lists.
Kia was looking to take over Japan's slot in the compact economy car segment, and in some markets the Sephia even outsold the Protege. However, labor problems, Korea's new openness to foreign imports, and the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s led to Kia declaring bankruptcy. It was acquired by Hyundai in 1998, with a renewed emphasis on quality and reliability.
With Hyundai's guidance, Kia introduced more sedans, including the mid-sized Optima and subcompact Rio. The Spectra was a small, but sporty little hatchback and sedan. The Sportage continues to be a popular SUV choice, especially now that it's moved into the crossover segment, and the Sedona minivan was rated as one of the safest minivans by the Insurance Institute. In 2003, Kia had sold over one million vehicles in the U.S., and it is continuing to expand its lineup today, with the recent Sorento SUV and the new 2007 Rondo, a small crossover with three rows of seating.