Who Makes Kia Cars?

by George Kennedy

Kia is a Korean automaker that makes a full line of cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles. Hyundai is its parent company, owning roughly 34% of Kia. Like Hyundai, Kia vehicles are highly competitive in their respective vehicle segments and offer shoppers a value buy in many segments.

In this Article:

Who Makes Kia Cars?

Kia was founded in 1944 making bicycle parts, then whole bikes in 1952. It started producing motorcycles in 1962 then small trucks in 1969. It began producing the Brisa compact car internationally in 1974, then it entered the US market with the Sephia in 1994. In 1997, Kia experienced financial troubles, and then in 1998, Hyundai purchased a majority stake in Kia. From the 2000s onward, Hyundai Motor Group consolidated production so that many Hyundai and Kia vehicles were built on the same platform. This strategy continues to this day.

What Sort of Vehicles Does Kia Make?

The Kia lineup includes cars, hatchbacks, and SUVs. In addition to its gas-powered models, it produces hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants for multiple SUVs, including the Sportage and Sorento. It also produces dedicated EVs such as the compact EV6 and full-size EV9. Kia vehicles are all offered with intuitive touchscreen systems and comprehensive suites of driver assistance technology.

What Are The Best Kia Cars?

by George Kennedy

From open-wheel racecars to specialty off-road vehicles, George Kennedy has driven it all. A career automotive journalist, George has been a contributor, editor, and/or producer at some of the most respected publications and outlets, including Consumer Reports, the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Autoblog.com, Hemmings Classic Wheels, BoldRide.com, the Providence Journal, and WheelsTV.

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