Kia Master Technicians Vie For Skill National Cup Title

Kia University, the training arm of Kia Motors America (KMA), hosted the biennial Kia Skill National Cup competition at the company's headquarters in Irvine, Calif., to determine the top master-level technicians from each of the company's four regions (eastern, southern, central and western). The winning technicians on the national level will represent their respective dealerships and the U.S. at the Kia Skill World Cup, June 11-15 at the Chonan Technical Service Training Center in Seoul, South Korea. Kia's Skill Cup competitions encourage technicians to hone their technical skills to keep pace with the company's engineering advancements while promoting customer-care excellence and professional conduct.

"High-quality customer service begins with highly trained, professional technicians committed to diagnosing the root cause of any issues and making the necessary repairs on the first visit," said John Crowe, vice president, service and aftersale operations, KMA. "Skill Cup competitors represent the best Kia technicians from across the country and around the globe, and they set the standard by which all Kia technicians are measured."

To qualify for the competition, technicians are given a 50-question online test, which requires comprehensive knowledge of Kia's powertrain designs, electrical systems and onboard vehicle management software. Only the top four test-takers in each of the four regions are selected to participate in the National Skill Cup challenge, a hands-on contest, in which technicians are judged on their ability to accurately execute Kia's five-step diagnostic process and successfully repair vehicles within specified time limits. While focusing on several diagnostic areas, participants most notably demonstrated their troubleshooting skills with Kia's latest drivetrain technologies, including that of the popular Optima Hybrid. In addition, finalists were judged on customer service criteria such as professionalism, safety and clean-up.

Of the 16 national finalists, only four will travel to Korea to compete for the honor of Kia's top technician in the Kia Skill World Cup. They are Jason Powell, Fox Kia; Michael Schwartz, Kia of Lynchburg; Ken Winders, Gene Messer Kia; and Christopher Cooley, Salazar Kia. See below for the full results of the 2012 Kia Skill National Cup.

Central Region

1st Jason Powell, Fox Kia, Grand Rapids, Mich.

2nd Max Umbs, Dick Brantmeier Kia, Sheboygan, Wis.

3rd Tim Clark, Jeff Belzer's Kia, Lakeville, Minn.

4th William Barcklay, Montrose Kia, Sheffield, Ohio

Eastern Region

1st Michael Schwartz, Kia of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va.

2nd Robert Worman Jr., Lehighton Kia, Lehighton, Pa.

3rd Blair Vile, Steven Kia, Harrisonburg, Va.

4th Thomas Cinque, Auto World Kia, East Meadow, N.Y.

Southern Region

1st Ken Winders, Gene Messer Kia, Lubbock, Texas

2nd Eddie Miller, Grindstaff Kia of Johnson City, Johnson City, Tenn.

3rd Dean Dewitt, Bob Dance Kia, Merritt Island, Fla.

4th Tommy Latulipe, Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn.

Western Region

1st Christopher Cooley, Salazar Kia, Avondale, Ariz.

2nd James Baker, Christopher Kia, Salt Lake, Salt Lake City

3rd Thomas Cruz, The Kia Depot, Santa Ana, Calif.

4th Robert Laursen, Larry H. Miller Kia Lakewood, Lakewood, Colo.

Kia's Unprecedented GrowthKia 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[1] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[2]. 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.

Check out this great 2012 Kia Sportage we have available!

Kia Souls Dressed with Iconic Designer’s Signature Fashion Patterns

Kia is sponsoring a fashion exhibition taking place in Seoul, Korea this weekend titled “La Vie En Rose,” a French expression that literally translates to “life in pink,” but symbolically means “the good life” when everything is perfect. The exhibition pays tribute to Korea’s very first female fashion designer Nora Noh, who held her first fashion show in 1956. The retrospective event aims to honor Nora’s career milestones that helped her become one of Korea’s most iconic designers.

Nora Noh

Photo Credit: Park Ji Hyuk via Elle Magazine

 

As a part of the exhibition, several Kia Soul ‘Art Cars’ will be decorated with Nora Noh’s signature motifs, patterns and designs. Check out some of these artsy and stylish Souls below:

Pretty nice huh? We wish La Vie En Rose much success!

Auto Execs See Hyundai, Kia, VW and Audi As U.S. Winners

Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen and Audi have had hot hands lately in terms of strong vehicle introductions, rising brand strength, and market-share conquests in the United States. And in the view of executives at automakers and top-tier suppliers in the U.S. market, those four brands — and two companies — have the best chance of adding to their share gains in the next five years of any marques in the industry.

In fact, the consensus of the 200 executives interviewed recently by Booz & Co., the consulting firm, wasn't even close: 78 percent of them figured Hyundai and Kia, which are owned by the same Korean chaebol, was most likely to pick up share, and 72 percent of them tabbed VW and Audi, owned by Volkswagen AG.

The two companies were far ahead of all other automakers in the poll. Ford, with 38 percent; BMW/Mini, 31 percent; Toyota/Lexus and Chrysler/Dodge/Fiat, 28 percent, were the next finishers.

"Both [companies] are rising from relatively small positions, so the responses didn't really surprise us; the only way they could really go is up," Scott Corwin, New York-based partner for Booz, told brandchannel. "Whereas you saw after the tsunami, the Japanese manufacturers were in a spot where they had to defend their positions."

Booz's survey captured a "snapshot in time," Corwin allowed, rather than a sober-minded analysis of future prospects of brands. In that sense, it likely strongly reflected executives' opinions based on the recent past of auto brands more than a hard reflection on future prospects.

That's why heady hopes for the four leading brands weren't much of a surprise; each has gobbled up share lately from other brands, especially the vulnerable Japanese — but, lately, Ford and GM as well.

One poor showing especially surprised Corwin, however: Nissan's. It finished second-to-last in execs' prognostications about share growth, with only 13 percent believing that Nissan is likely to acquire U.S. share in the next five years.

"They've done an unbelievable job of refreshing their product portfolio," Corwin said.

Booz's survey — which also included executives' responses to a range of other questions — didn't ask last year about market share. But with a string of new-product introductions this year beginning with the new Altima, recently touted at the New York International Auto Show, Nissan is likely to show up much better in next year's snapshot.

Kia Rio, 2012: Sleek, improved mpg, efficient sedan/hatchback

The 2011 Kia Rio looked plain, but was fairly lively, economical and backed with a long warranty. You either bought it — or maybe a used car.

The redone 2012 model has slicker, European-inspired styling, more power, a better automatic transmission and improved fuel economy — besides keeping Kia’s 10-year/100,00-mile powertrain warranty.

The front-wheel-drive Rio comes in base LX, mid-range EX and top-line SX trim. It’s sold as a sedan or hatchback. List prices range from $13,400 to $17.700, excluding a $750 destination charge.

Standard for the LX are air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, CD Player, satellite radio, adjustable steering wheel with audio controls and large power mirrors.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the LX sedan and hatchback, but you can get both versions with a new six-speed automatic for $14,500 (sedan) or $14,700 (hatchback).

The EX adds the automatic transmission as standard, besides power windows and door locks with keyless entry.

The sporty SX has cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, leather-wrapped wheel, lower-profile tires on larger (17-inch) wheels, suspension enhancements, a back-up camera and power mirrors with turn signal indicators.

Rio safety items include lots of air bags and all-disc brakes.

The 2011 Rio had 110 horsepower and a dated four-speed automatic transmission. But all 2012 versions have a 138-horsepower direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder with dual overhead camshafts and 16 valves.

The new Rio’s more modern six-speed automatic works efficiently and has an easily used manual-shift feature.

Estimated fuel economy for this new Kia is impressive: 30 miles per gallon in the city, 40 mpg on highways.

The engine is noisy when revved high for the best acceleration, but quickly propels the car from 65-75 mph on highways. Merging into fast freeway traffic is no problem. Cruising is effortless, with little wind or road noise.

The steering is quick, with good road feel, and the Rio has agile handling. (The SX is the best handler partly because it has thicker anti-sway bars.) The ride is compliant, and the brake pedal has a soft feel, but a progressive action.

Traction control, electronic stability control and a vehicle stability management system also helped keep my test Rio on course.

There is a variety of option packages. My test car had the $2,200 Premium package. It  contains such popular features as a power tilt/slide sunroof, navigation system, push-button start, leather seat trim and heated front seats. 

I tested the $17,500 SX sedan, which costs $17,700 in hatchback form. It has a large trunk for a subcompact car, and rear seatbacks flip forward and sit flat for more cargo room. However, the pass-through opening between the trunk and backseat area is only moderately large.

The trunk opening is wide, but rather high for the quickest loading. Curiously, the trunk lid has no interior grip to help close it without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal.

The Rio has large door handles, inside and out, and wide door openings to allow easy entry and exit. Front seats offer good lateral support, and there’s decent room in back for two 6-footers.

The interior is quiet, but has a lot of average-looking plastic. The backlit gauges can be quickly read, even in bright sunlight. Climate controls are large. Although, smaller, radio controls are easy to use, and all controls are within convenient reach. Front cupholders are nicely placed, but the small-but-deep center console bin is set far back.

Front doors have pockets and rear ones have beverage holders. The glovebox is unusually large.

The outside hood release is easy to find and use, without groping for it and bruising fingers, and the padded hood is held up with a short rod.

The Kia Rio fits nicely in the growing entry level small-car market, which has become increasingly competitive.

Pros: Sexier styling. Quick. Fuel-thrifty. Roomy. Sure handling. Compliant ride. Two body styles.

Cons: Lots of interior plastic. Rather high truck sill. Limited manual transmission availability.

Bottom line: The Rio offers a six-speed automatic transmission, which is unusual for the subcompact class besides advanced features such as direct fuel injection.

Total Car Score Names 2012 Kia Forte To "Top Cars For College Grads" List

Total Car Score (www.totalcarscore.com), one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named the 2012 Forte sedan and hatchback to its "Top Cars for College Grads" list.  This roster of over-achieving compact cars was released on the cusp of graduation season, as new college grads – along with their parents – look to purchase vehicles that are reliable and cost-conscious, while also considering factors including safety, fuel-efficiency, comfort and performance.  Beyond praise for its styling, spaciousness, technology and interior materials, the 2012 Forte was found to be the most affordable vehicle among the cars selected.

"Forte's achievement of being named to Total Car Score's 'Top Cars for College Grads' list is validation that its low cost and abundance of smart, youthful characteristics make it a natural fit for young adults who are about to enter the professional world," said Orth Hedrick, director of product planning, Kia Motors America.  "Furthermore, as the automotive marketplace becomes increasingly competitive with higher-quality cars, the Kia Forte is poised to succeed as one of the most well-built, well-equipped cars in its class."

The Wallup in Puyallup is this weekend!

Come check out a HUGE selection of cars this weekend at the fairgrounds! You'll find great deals on a number of cars. All eleven of the dealers bring 1,500 new and used vehicles of every sort and

every price range to the Blue Lot of the Puyallup Fairgrounds in May and August.

You'll find row after row of great vehicles to pick from, and low prices and great savings for you!

Kia of Puyallup-May Commercial

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2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Review- Proving that frugal and fun can actually co-exist

This doesn’t appear to be going well. I’m supposed to be in Miami sporting a pair of Wayfarers, destination Key West, behind the wheel of a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. Instead I’m stuck in Newark, New Jersey late on a Thursday night, trying to get rebooked for the first flight out in the morning. Virtually all the airport canteens are closed and I’m starting to feel like Steve Martin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

 

FAST FACTS

1. The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid’s base price is $800 less than last year at $25,700. 2. Rated at 35 mpg city and 40 mpg highway the Optima Hybrid makes 206 hp. 3. A Virtual Engine Sound engages when the car is in all electric mode, to warn pedestrians of its proximity. 4. Like Hyundai, Kia warranties the battery system for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Fast-forward 12 hours and all is right with the world again. I’m finally in Miami, I’ve got the sunglasses on and wearing shorts and flip flops. The silver Optima Hybrid feels very much the Q-ship in traffic lanes dotted by high profile bling mobiles, but the pace is leisurely compared to driving in the North East.

And that’s really the thing about this car. Despite Kia’s move toward edgier, sportier offerings, the Optima Hybrid is an automobile in which you should take your time.

Even before you get in, you should take time to look at the exterior details, for there are more than you might think. There are the special 16-inch lightweight wheels and features designed to reduce aerodynamic drag. These include uniquely shaped headlamp pockets, a differently trimmed grille (high gloss with a chrome ring), a specific side mirror design and smooth rocker panels plus lower front and rear fascia extensions. There are also unique LED taillights, a rear deck spoiler and a 5 mm lower ride height. In the quest for better fuel mileage, every little bit helps and dare I say it but the Kia Optima makes hybrids sexy.

PACKED WITH CONTENT

 

It might be derived from a car aimed at the most mainstream customer base of all, yet the Optima Hybrid is actually quite stunning by milquetoast modern sedan standards, proof that luring Peter Schreyer from Audi was a good move on Kia’s part. It’s solid, well integrated and has an aura of substance about it.

 

Inside the feeling of integrity is carried over. At this price range, the quality of interior materials feels first rate. The dash is rather upright, almost like an aircraft cockpit, lending the impression of almost peering over the top of a ledge at times, yet ergonomically it’s sound. The center stack doesn’t feel intimidating, HVAC and entertainment functions are easy to use, while the standard leather wrapped steering wheel is chunky and a touch sporty.

Value has been a mantra at Kia (and sister brand Hyundai) for almost as long as we can remember, so although the car only comes in essentially one trim level (priced at $25,700) there’s a lot of standard equipment. Stuff includes automatic dual zone climate control, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, glove box illumination and rear seat reading lamps. Because of the location of the lithium polymer battery pack, the regular Optima’s split 60/40 folding rear seat is replaced by a fixed one, which significantly compromises practicality (a narrow pass through allows items such as skis to be carried, though that isn’t much consolation). Trunk space also suffers and measures just 9.9 cubic feet (a third less tham other Optima models).

 

A Germanically-priced $5,350 Premium Technology package adds leather seating surfaces, a power operated panoramic style sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, driver’s seat memory, a four-way adjustable power front passenger chair, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink and a built in compass, a center stack navigation system with built in back up camera, Sirius XM satellite radio and Traffic functions, plus an eight-speaker audio system with HD radio (the latter new for 2012).

On the outside, this package also adds 17-inch alloy wheels and low rolling resistance rubber, HID headlights with automatic self-leveling and power folding exterior mirrors (new for 2012). There’s also the option of UVO voice activation technology for an additional $700 (a similar system to Ford’s SYNC), which allows the driver and passengers to say commands for operating the car’s info entertainment system.

That’s a lot of feature content, yet when it comes to hybrids, most potential customers want to know how efficient they are on the open road.

MORE SPORTY THAN REFINED

 

One of the primary goals of this particular drive evaluation was to achieve 40 miles per gallon during a test run from Miami to Key West. Kia says the Optima Hybrid will deliver 35 miles per gallon in town and 40 mpg on the open road, so we were curious to see if we could achieve it. Bearing in mind that fuel economy numbers are highly subjective and depend on a sizeable number of different variables, it was still a worthwhile target to shoot for.

The combined rating for the Optima Hybrid is 37 mpg combined, which while segment leading when it debuted, has now fallen behind the new 2012 Camry Hybrid. That car boasts a 41 mpg combined number with 43 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.

Like it’s cousin the Sonata Hybrid, the Kia Optima version relies on a 166 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine teamed with a 40 hp electric motor. The gas engine and electric motor are linked via a wet clutch and result in a full parallel system, meaning the Optima hybrid can operate on pure electric power at speeds of up to 62 mph before the gas engine kicks in, while both power plants can operate together at any given velocity. Total system output is rated at

One interesting feature about the Optima concerns an active grille mounted shutter that helps improve airflow at higher speeds. As a result the Optima Hybrid really comes into its own on the open road, instead of bumper to bumper city traffic, which is part of the reason why declared fuel economy figures in the city and on the highway are so close.

Another aspect that sets this car (and the Sonata) apart from the herd concerns the transmission. Instead of employing a CVT, the Optima Hybrid uses a conventional six-speed automatic. Primarily employed for cost reasons and to share commonality with other Optima models, it nonetheless represents a rather refreshing approach to gas/electric propulsion technology.

The result is a car that although a bit clumsy in first and second gear, feels more satisfying to drive than most hybrids, with good shift response once on the move, instead of the vagueness typical of most CVTs, which feel like an old clunker with a slipping slushbox. That said, the powertrain feels a little awkward at times, the gas engine in particular displaying Jimmy Buffett style tendencies (a rude awakening is necessary to get it to do some proper work).

On leisurely Florida causeways this doesn’t represent too much of a problem, but when a sudden burst of speed is required, such as accelerating onto a freeway or overtaking slow moving traffic, it’s a bit of an Achilles Heel.

Given that the overall driving experience on most hybrids ranks up there with hanging wallpaper on the excitement level (this author once considered having a crash in one just for something to do), the Optima proves that thrifty doesn’t have to mean boring. The chassis is nicely tuned for sporty driving and thanks to its fully independent suspension (MacStruts up front, multi-link in the rear), the car feels lively, yet stable through the corners, the steering is nice and linear in almost German sports sedan fashion.

In the braking department, unlike acceleration, the transition to regenerative mode is almost seamless and the car never feels like it’s dragging its heels because of awkward, jerky movements.

THE VERDICT

 

So at the end of the day, should you consider the Optima Hybrid when shopping for an ecological friendly vehicle? That likely depends. For those who love wacky styling and value fuel mileage above everything else, probably not.

For those who want a stylish, well-built, value oriented sedan that just happens to be a hybrid, then the answer will likely be a resounding yes. After all, it’s cars like this that will likely make the concept of hybrid motoring appealing to the average motorist and if anything the Optima Hybrid signifies just how far the gas/electric vehicle concept has come in the last few years.

And in case you’re wondering, it does actually get 40 mpg on the open road (40.3 according to our readings); at least in South Florida.

Check out this great deal!

Take a look at ANOTHER great deal from Kia of Puyallup! Call us today to schedule a test drive!

Feeling young at heart? Blame it on Rio

There are days in a reporter’s life when it’s tough to keep a lid on bubbling cynicism and when it’s massively difficult to hold back the guffaws and the eye-rolling. Consider this quote: “Design gives a soul to the product and reaches the hearts of people.”

I’d like to be 18 or 25 or six again – well, not 18 or six, but certainly in my late-20s – and just drink in those words from Kia design boss Peter Schreyer. And I’d love to believe Schreyer’s sentiments here: “We remain true to our commitment to quality, and our journey continues to be an evolutionary process of excellence in design surpassed only by excellence in product and service quality.”

Maybe I can. Of course, there’s no turning back the hourglass to a time without aches and pains in the morning, erasing 30 years of the reporter’s life – giant roller coasters of spin and disinformation, calculated hype and downright untruthfulness. But the thing is, the facts bolster Schreyer’s case, therefore I feel younger by decades.

Take design. The five-door version of the 2012 Kia Rio has just won a Red Dot award for product design. This is a big deal in the design world, the kind of honour even the BMWs of the world get all worked up about. The smaller Kia Picanto also won for 2012. This brings to six the number of Red Dot awards that Kia has won since 2009 – including wins for the Soul small car, Sportage compact SUV and Optima mid-size sedan.

People who know something about design love what Kia is doing. As for quality, Kia has yet to climb above average in J.D. Power’s long-term Vehicle Dependability Study. But in ALG’s most recent Perceived Quality Study released last December, Kia was ranked seventh among mainstream brands – ahead of Subaru, Ford, Chevrolet, Honda and Nissan to name five – and in a Consumer Reports comparison test of small cars, the new Rio sedan topped a list of small cars, including the Ford Fiesta.

Okay, the five-door Rio landed at No. 3 on CR’s list of small hatchbacks, behind Honda’s Fit and the hatchback version of the Versa. That’s still good, however.

What this means is that Kia’s styling may have a nose on quality in the economy car sprint. There is still work to be done, but among the very real and highly important parts that have been fixed so far are the Rio’s handling, which is quite nimble, and the simple design of the radio and climate controls. The Rio’s automatic transmission is smooth, too.

All of these improvements and accomplishments are showing up where Kia wants them to show up most – in sales. Last month, Kia Canada had its best March ever, with sales up 23 per cent. If you’re counting, that’s 39 straight months of sales growth for Kia Canada. Kia’s designs do seem to be reaching the hearts of Canadians – that and attractive pricing and sales incentives.

Ah, the numbers: The Rio5 starts at $14,095, which is less than the cheapest versions of these hatchbacks: Ford Fiesta ($15,999), Chevrolet Sonic ($15,495), Nissan Versa ($14,678) and Honda Fit ($14,480). The Hyundai Accent five-door, which shares basic mechanical components with the Rio, has a base sticker of $13,599.

If nothing else, that list shows just how competitive the subcompact segment has become.

To stand out from the pack, Kia’s stylists gave the Rio a more muscular look for 2012; we can see that. Less obvious but just as important, the 2012 Rio rides on a new platform – shared with the Accent – that makes the Rio longer, lower, wider and lighter than the 2011 model. That means more room for people and stuff inside, not to mention excellent fuel economy from the 138-horsepower, 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine: 6.6 litres/100 km city and 4.9 highway.

If you’re nuts about saving gas, you can get this Rio with the start-stop option, branded as the $800 “Eco Package” on certain models. Here, the engine turns off when the vehicle is not in motion, such as at a stop light or in traffic. The engine restarts when the driver releases the brake pedal. Stop-start does not negatively affect the 1.6-litre, direct-injection engine, though. Here we have a very nice powerplant, one with good power and responsiveness.

The full Rio5 lineup has four trim levels: LX, LX +, EX and SX. The latter is the priciest of the lot at $20,795. But even the basic car has power windows, driver’s-seat height adjuster, map lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, trip computer, sliding centre console armrest and 60/40-split folding rear seats. If you want to add air conditioning, the LX+ trim ($15,595) also adds heated front seats, cruise control, keyless entry, fog lights and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with steering-wheel-mounted voice activation controls.

No question, this Rio has a terrific drivetrain – strong for the segment and thrifty, too. The longer wheelbase not only makes for a reasonably roomy cabin, it also helps with the overhauled suspension to deliver ride quality that feels quite refined. The cabin, too, looks and feels like something more expensive than your basic city runabout.

After taking in this package, then, I’ve stored away my guffaws and the eye-rolling for some future occasion – and, boy, do I feel young again!

Looking for a great pre-owned vehicle?

Stop in today and take a look at this fantastic 2011 Nissan Maxima with low mileage!

 

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For the entire month of May, we got plenty of great deals!

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2012 Kia Sportage Recognized by USAA as "Best Value" for Second Consecutive Year

United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a leading financial services provider to the U.S. military and their families, honored Kia Motors America (KMA) by naming the 2012 Kia Sportage to its second annual "Best Value" vehicles list, which identifies the top 2012 automobiles in 16 categories that give consumers the most bang for their buck. The Sportage rose to the top in the Small SUV category, recognized for offering a competitive price and low insurance costs as well as being one of the Small SUV Top Safety Picks for 2012 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

"The Kia Sportage being named to USAA's 'Best Value' list for the second year in a row is not only indicative of this utility's affordability factor, but also validates it as one of the most well-rounded offerings in its segment," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. "The Sportage is the ideal vehicle for anyone who seeks a lively crossover that's comfortable and offers an abundance of safety features and amenities."

"Best Value" automobiles offer the best financial value of all vehicles USAA evaluates as part of a broader rating system called USAA Preferred, which uses quantitative data to evaluate vehicles' cost, safety and reliability, among other key factors. There are nearly 80 cars, trucks and minivans that are currently designated as USAA Preferred vehicles, and the "Best Value" list represents the vehicles that rose to the top of each category.

"The goal of the list is to help members identify vehicles that typically offer better safety ratings, lower insurance premium costs, higher fuel economy, better overall reliability and lower MSRP compared to other vehicles in the same category," said Steve Thompson, an assistant vice president at USAA. "The Kia Sportage rose to the top as a vehicle that offers these key elements, making it a great buy for the value-minded consumer."

For more information about the USAA Best Value list, and the specific automobiles featured, visit www.usaa.com/bestvalue .

Kia's Unprecedented GrowthKia 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(1) and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking(2). 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 2012 model year 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.

Check out this great offer on a 2012 Kia Sorrento!

Check out our website for more details!

http://www.kiaofpuyallup.com/puyallup-specials-kia

2013 Kia Sorento "Love Story" Commercial

Kia Motors America Announces Record April Sales

Kia Motors America (KMA) has been the fastest growing car company in the United States[1] over the past five years, and the brand's strong momentum continued with best-ever April sales of 47,550 units. Kia has achieved 20 consecutive monthly sales records thanks in large part to continued high demand for the brand's two U.S.-built* products - the Optima midsize sedan and Sorento CUV built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) - as well as the ongoing popularity of the Soul urban passenger vehicle. Sales of the fuel-efficient 2012 Rio subcompacts, which can deliver up to 40 miles per gallon[2] on the highway, increased 55.6-percent over the same period in 2011.

"Our record April performance is the latest illustration of how far the Kia brand has progressed as we continue to attract new customers with our unique value formula of world-class design, outstanding fuel efficiency, premium features and cutting-edge technologies," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "KMMG recently was named 'Large Manufacturer of the Year' by the State of Georgia, and the plant's success is a major contributor to our growth. With more new products and technologies set to arrive within the next year, we will continue our efforts to raise consumer awareness and consideration for the Kia brand and our full lineup of stylish and fuel-efficient vehicles.

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[3] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[4]. 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[5]. Kia's value- and technology-laden 2012 model year 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, all-new 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.