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Come join us for our Employee Pricing & Model-Year End Discounts on 150 New Kia’s This Weekend at Kia of Puyallup! Sale starts Friday at 9am and ends Sunday at 7pm – 3 Days Only to Save!

Kia donates $100,000 to Make-A-Wish International

Kia Motors, official sponsor of Euro 2012, is donating US$100,000 to its selected charity, Make-A-Wish International. The automaker has also invited six children to serve as official ball carriers during the matches in Poland and Ukraine.

"Make-A-Wish International is thrilled to be Kia's selected charity and know that our wish children are very excited to take part in UEFA EURO 2012," said Jon Stettner, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish International. "A wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic and more willing and able to battle their life-threatening medical conditions. All the children attending are an example of the strength given through a granted wish. This opportunity offers a wonderful way for our wish children and Kia to take part in celebrating our mission and love for football together!"

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Quebec chapter will host its sixth annual Ride for Wishes event at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal from September 14th to 16th, 2012 and Auto123.com will enter three teams of riders.

2012 Kia Soul earns high owner marks in survey

The 2012 Kia Soul took the title of highest-ranking compact multi-purpose vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study this year, following feedback from new car owners who rated automobiles based on their quality of design and production.

The report captured vehicle assessments from drivers 90 days after their purchase. Overall, the 2012 study consisted of 233 vehicle models evaluated across eight categories, including engine and transmission, driving experience and a range of quality tests.

The positive results of the study come during a year when the Soul received several enhancements. A significant number of powertrain, style and technological improvements have been added to the 2012 model, which Kia claims has led to a 22 percent increase in sales from January through June.

Since its launch in 2009, the Soul has become responsible for Kia’s new direction in design and remains one of the company’s most popular vehicles, said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. “Kia Motors is dedicated to building world-class, high quality vehicles, and the Soul’s recognition in the automotive industry’s authoritative study on quality is the latest example of Kia’s maturity and momentum in the U.S. market.”

New Kia Rio5 impresses with 40 mpg, spunk and price

Kia Rio5’s pricing is about as good as it gets for a small hatchback. Ditto on mpg.

In fact, the redesigned Rio hatchback is quite competitive on all fronts. It’s even fun to drive in both manual and automatic form.

Rio5 replaced the Cinco for the 2006 model year.

Just as the Rio was a leap from its predecessor, the 2012 model makes strides on all fronts. For example, it joins the growing number of small all-gas vehicles that boast up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 30 around town.

At the same time, horsepower jumps from 110 to 138. That helps make the little Kia fun to drive. It’s not fast, but even with the six-speed automatic transmission, it’s feels spunky and is quieter and smoother than some more expensive 4-cylinders.

 

There are now three trim levels; the stripped-down base model no longer is available. The entry-level LX starts at $14,250. It comes with air conditioning, power mirrors, rear spoiler, rear windshield wiper, cargo cover, split-folding rear seats, tilt-steering wheel, a full lineup of safety equipment, Kia’s long warranty, and audio system with CD player, MP3 and satellite radio capability, and steering-wheel controls.

Moving from the 6-speed manual transmission to the automatic costs $1,100, but does not change mpg ratings.

In addition to the upgraded EX model, sportier looks and handling are available in the SX. Options include Kia’s UVO voice-controlled infotainment system, navigation with real-time traffic data, push-button starter, leather and heated seats.

The second-generation Rio5 is a little longer, wider and lower than the 2011. I was pleasantly surprised at how far the driver’s bucket scoots back. There are six rather than last year’s eight ways to adjust the seat, but the procedure is much easier.

As long as you don’t recline the seatback all the way, there is enough leg room in back for an average adult. Rio helps compensate for its subcompact size with a deep cargo bay, which means there is a small step up if you fold down the rear seats.

Another improvement for 2012 is the interior, which takes on a higher-quality look in addition to its functional setup. Materials are softer to the touch and nicely grained. I’m not wild about the long dash, though.

Federal crash test results are not yet available, but i'm hoping the Rio can improve on its previous generation’s score 3 of 5 stars for rear side impacts.

The Rio also comes as a sedan, starting at the same price and with the same fuel stats. As with most hatchbacks, Rio5 looks jazzier than the sedan, and the format is a little handier. The trade-off comes with the wide C pillar framing the hatch, which cuts into rear vision.

Kia also offers the larger Forte coupe and hatchback and the boxy Soul.

Kia Rio5

Subcompact hatchback

Base price: $14,250

MPG range: 30/40

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Not yet rated;

Web: www.kia.com

Competitors: Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mazda2, Nissan Versa, Scion xD, Kia Forte, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Yaris

Bottom line: Improvements all around puts Rio5 on shopping short list

How to Change a Tire in the Middle of the Road with Kia's all new Optima

Check out our weekly parts special!

This week, you'll find an iPod Cable for only $29.00 - a $10 saving!
Offer is valid 6/19/12-6/26/12
One discount per customer. Not redeemable for cash.

Car Maintenance Tips & Tricks : How to Restore Cloudy Headlights

Kia Motors Gets Ready To Rock This Summer With 2012 Vans Warped Tour

Kia Motors America (KMA) is hitting the road as the "Official Vehicle of the 2012 Vans Warped Tour®" and for a fifth straight year will entertain concertgoers in nearly 40 U.S. cities with live music performances from today's biggest rock and indie bands and a variety of interactive activities and events at the Kia Soul Lounge. New for 2012, Kia will be the official sponsor of the tour's two main stages - the Kia Soul Stage and Kia Rio Stage - with a platform set as part of the rigging between the stages to display the Kia Soul urban passenger vehicle.

"Since our wildly popular Soul launched in 2009 with a trio of paw-tapping hamsters, music has helped move the Kia brand into the mainstream and raise consumer awareness amongst a younger, previously untapped demographic," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Fresh off the viral sensation "Share Some Soul" campaign featuring LMFAO's hit single 'Party Rock Anthem,' the poll-topping Optima Limited Super Bowl commercial featuring Motley Crue's 'Kickstart My Heart' and our partnership with music sharing service Spotify, going back out on the road again with the Vans Warped Tour was an obvious fit as a way to maintain our status as a young, current and engaging brand."

In addition to enjoying hours of live music, including exclusive acoustic sets with top tour bands "Taking Back Sunday" and "All Time Low," fans can visit the Kia Soul Lounge - an interactive tent featuring a DJ, body painting stations and autograph sessions - and obtain information on Kia's lineup of stylish and fuel-efficient vehicles, including the 2013 Soul, which brings unique styling, impressive power, fun-to-drive performance and fuel efficiency to its segment; the 2013 Rio sub-compact that delivers class leading horsepower[1] and fuel economy of 40 mpg[2]; and the performance-inspired 2012 Forte Koup.

The Kia Soul Lounge also will feature fun activities and giveaways, including an interactive Create Your Own Beat music station and Find Your Tribe bandana station. The music station will offer concertgoers the opportunity to mix their own 15-30 second beat, which will then be mixed into a master beat for that city and loaded onto the Kia Soul Facebook page[3] after each stop. For the Find Your Tribe game, attendees can sign-up to receive a unique code along with a bandana that has one of 10 tribal designs on it, and throughout the festival can find other people with the same designs to form a "tribe." Each member texts[4] each other's codes to a designated number, earning both the tribe and individual members points with the top five of each receiving cool prizes.

Festival participants also may earn Kia VIP passes for exclusive access to a private riser near the main stage or on the two main stages themselves, providing shade and unobstructed views of some of the biggest performances throughout the day. As in previous years, Kia Motors' official Kia Warped Tour blogger, Steve Guttbinder, will provide fans with behind-the-scenes insights, videos and photos as well as answers to fans' questions throughout the tour. Steve's vlog can be accessed at Facebook.com/KiaSoul.

"Kia is an innovative company that understands the culture of Warped and their support allows us to bring back two main stages for the 2012 tour," notes Kevin Lyman, Vans Warped Tour founder and producer. "We are happy to have Kia Motors onboard with us for a fifth summer as the "Official Vehicle of the 2012 Vans Warped Tour®."

Kicking off June 16 in Salt Lake City, the 2012 Vans Warped Tour will feature more than 90 punk, rock, hip-hop, rap, metal, indie rock and electronic artists including current chart-toppers, long-running legends, and the hottest up-and-comers.

Select tour dates and destinations of the tour include:

6/16 - Salt Lake City

6/20 - Las Vegas

6/23 - San Francisco

6/28 - Glendale, Ariz.

7/1 - Houston

7/6 - Auburn Hills, Mich.

7/18 - Scranton, Penn.

7/20 - Camden, NJ

7/22 - Hartford, Conn.

7/26 - Atlanta

7/30 - Charlotte, NC

8/1 - Milwaukee

8/5 - Portland, Oreg.

Kia of Puyallup's Vehicle Buyback Program

Take on adventure; but take it on in style with a 2013 Kia Sorento.

Click here for more information.

Kia Raises A Guinness For Optima Hybrid

Kia has launched a campaign for its Optima Hybrid car that spotlights the vehicle’s achievement of winning a Guinness World Record. The car got Guinness props last year for having achieved the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid when a couple of pro drivers toured the 48 contiguous United States on 5½ tanks of gas. They went 7,899 miles at 64.55 miles per gallon by driving at optimal speeds and under optimal conditions.

The new campaign, targeted to Gen Xers and younger Baby Boomers, re-tells that story with two professional drivers randomly pulling over in the middle of a desert highway to chat with a man going cross-country on a pogo stick, who is also attempting to set a Guinness record. In the end, the drivers tell the pogo guy that they, too are in the process of setting a World Record and then take off into the sunset. Tag: "Not your average hybrid."

The campaign, via David&Goliath, Kia's long-time U.S. agency, also has print, direct-mail, collateral, and promotional elements. The digital component of the campaign, at Kia.com/Hybrid, allows consumers to delve into the Guinness World Record road trip and get info on how to optimize -- so to speak - their own hybrid driving. 

The TV ad began airing on June 5 on network with cable, syndication on schedule. The spot will run on all the networks, plus around 30 cable channels, including Adult Swim, BET, Discovery, Comedy Central, Travel, E!, Oxygen, and Spike.

"When we first started launching about a year ago we did a very product-focused campaign,” says Michael Sprague, Kia Motor America VP marketing. “This lets us tell more of a story." He tells Marketing Daily that the company and its agency dreamed up the Guinness attempt as a way to talk about the car beyond merely advertising it. "We were trying to think of creative ways of telling consumers about our new hybrid and after lots of research we found there was opportunity to set that Guinness record. We looked at it and figured out that yeah, we could do that. We worked with the Guinness organization to make sure it could be validated by them and then set off to do it." 

Sprague says the issue for the Optima Hybrid is actually not demand so much as capacity. "We are just finishing rolling it out across the country. We started on the West Coast, then the East Coast, followed by the southern markets in the spring and now the Midwest, and what we've learned is that availability -- the right color, or options -- is the reason people don't buy they vehicle. They want a certain package, but due to constraints, can't get it." 

While no advertising might be the best advertising when supply is tight, Sprague argues that the Optima Hybrid campaign serves a broader purpose. "It promotes the product but also builds familiarity and awareness of us as a brand. Someone might not want to buy a hybrid, but they want to be associated with a brand that sells one, and is environmentally conscious." There’s something to that: Toyota's Prius has probably done more for Toyota branding equity than it has for Toyota sales volume. 

2012 Kia Optima And Sorento Named Among Best Family Cars Of 2012 By Edmunds.com And Parents Magazine

Parents magazine and Edmunds.com have named the 2012 Kia Optima midsize sedan and Kia Sorento crossover utility to the publications' "Best Family Cars of 2012" list. The accolade recognizes vehicles focusing on reliability, safety and affordability as top priorities, with the Optima and Sorento's "Top Safety Pick" designations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) playing a key factor in being named as two of only 15 vehicles to the coveted list. Other criteria the judges considered were performance, interior quality, exterior design, family-friendly features and technology.

"As bold design and value are no longer mutually exclusive, the Optima and Sorento have changed the way many consumers look at what family cars can and should be," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing and communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "This recognition from leading family and automotive resources Parents magazine and Edmunds.com reinforces why these two Kia vehicles are among our top-selling products and why more families are considering Kia for the first time."

This is the fifth year editors from Parents magazine and auto experts at Edmunds.com have collaborated on naming the "Best Family Cars." Hundreds of vehicles are evaluated throughout the judging process, and owners who drive these cars are also consulted prior to naming the winners.

"Buying a new car is a big family decision and our guide makes the process easier," said Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents magazine. "The Optima and Sorento made our list because they are safe and affordable, plus they have smart, family-friendly features to make kids and parents happy."

Although both vehicles are best-selling and award-winning, the Optima has been widely considered the showpiece of Kia's model line. "Kia has reinvented itself over the last few years, and the beautiful Optima sedan is a big part of that revolution," said Scott Oldham, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com. "Both inside and out, the affordable Optima looks like it costs more than twice its price. Add its roomy interior, fuel efficient powertrains and 100,000 mile warranty[2] to the mix, and it's easy to recommend the Optima to America's families."

Kia Optima Hybrid "World Record" Commercial

Kia Motors America Sells Four Millionth Vehicle During Record-Setting Month Of May

With a diverse line-up of fuel-efficient, stylish and fun-to-drive vehicles that is attracting more new customers to its showrooms, Kia Motors America's (KMA) momentum continued with best-ever May sales of 51,771 units, a 7.4-percent increase over the same period last year. Year-to-date sales are up 18.7 percent, and May also saw the sale of Kia's four millionth vehicle in the U.S. (since entering the market in 1994) and extended the brand's run of consecutive monthly sales records to 21.

Vehicles that achieve more than 30 mpg on the highway[2] accounted for 78 percent of sales in May, while sales of the fuel-efficient 2012 Rio subcompacts, which can deliver up to 40 miles per gallon[3] on the highway, increased 59.5 percent over the same period in 2011. The record-setting May performance was driven by strong 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.

"Kia has experienced dramatic growth over the past few years, and our record-breaking momentum continues as we gather industry-wide recognition for reliability, low cost of ownership, increased residual values and outstanding brand loyalty," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "Our line of fuel-efficient vehicles combines cutting-edge technologies with world class design to create a standout value formula, and we'll have more new products and technologies arriving in showrooms within the next year."