Milestones

1940's-1960's

1944 Milestones

Kia Motors Corporation of Seoul, South Korea, is founded as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts.

1951 Milestones

Company is officially named Kia Industries
Production of Korea's first bicycle begins

1957 Milestones

Production of Korea's first motor scooter, the C-100, begins
Shilhung factory is established

1962 Milestones

Production of Korea's first truck, the K-360, begins

1970's

1971 Milestones

The Titan, a 4-wheel cargo truck, is produced

1972 Milestones

Kia Service Co., Ltd. Is established

1973 Milestones

The Sohari plant, Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, opens and Korea's first internal combustion engine is produced
Production of a gasoline engine begins
The Brisa B-100 pick-up is produced

1974 Milestones

Kia begins manufacturing the Peugeot 604
Kia makes the Fiat 132

1980's

1981 Milestones

The Bongo truck is produced

1984 Milestones

Kia Research and Development Center is established

1990's

1990 Milestones

The corporation name is changed to Kia Motors, Inc.

1991 Milestones

Kia Motors Corporation announces plans to enter U.S. marketplace and sell the Sephia compact sedan, followed by a sport-utility, the Sportage.
Kia Motors Corporation becomes the first automaker to receive Korea's Total Quality Control (TQC) Grant Prize at the 17th National Quality Control and Standardization Contest. Equivalent to Japan's Deming Prize and America's Malcolm Baldridge Award, the honor is the most prestigious of its kind in Korea.

1992 Milestones

Kia Motors America is incorporated in October 1992 as the sales, marketing and service arm for Kia Motors Corporation in the United States
Kia Motors Corporation is honoured as the first auto manufacturer to receive the Grand Prize for General Facilities Management as the 18th annual National Quality Management Competition

1993 Milestones

Kia opens parts distribution center in Fullerton, Calif.
Kia sings first 20 dealers to sell vehicles in the U.S.
Sportage compact SUV is introduced

1994 Milestones

Sephia compact sedan, priced at $8495, goes on sale at four Portland-area dealers, marking Kia's official entry into the U.S. market
Sephia outsells Dodge Neon and Mazda Protege in eight cities
Kia moves into corporate offices at 2 Cromwell in Irvine, Calif.
Annual sales:12,163 vehicles

1995 Milestones

Kia celebrates first anniversary of sales in the United States
Kia's 100th dealer opens in Austin, Texas; Kia is now sold in 20 U.S. states
Kia's second U.S. model, the Sportage compact SUV, is introduced
Restyled 1995.5 Sephia goes on sale
Sportage named Best of Whats New by Popular Science magazine
Sportage wins its class in the Baja 1000, entering the same Sportage that completed the 1993 Paris-Dakar rally, becoming the first vehicle ever to complete both courses
Annual sales: 24,740 vehicles

1996 Milestones

In July, Kia sells its 50,000th vehicle in the United States
Sportage goes on sales in the U.S., featuring the industry's first knee airbag
Kia opens 30 more dealerships in Florida, bringing its dealer count to 170
Four Wheeler magazine names Sportage one of the Ten Best Buys in 4WD
1997 Sportage is rated The Best Buy among compact sport-utility vehicles according to the Men's Journal 1997 Buyers Guide
Sephia wins the 1996 SCAA PRO Rally production class championship
Annual sales: 36,274 vehicles

1997 Milestones

Kia sells its 100,000th vehicle in the United States
Kia.com is launched
Sephia completes a 200,000-mile test against Toyota Corolla. Engine teardown results show the Sephia with 81 percent of engine measurements within factory tolerance, while the Corolla has only 66 percent
Sportage is named a Best Overall Value of the Year by IntelliChoice
Four Wheeler magazine names Sportage one of the Ten Best Buys in 4WD
In its first attempt, Sportage wins Class 3 championship of SCORE Desert Championship Series, winning five of seven races and finishing every miles of every race.
Annual sales: 55,325 vehicles

1998 Milestones

In October, Hyundai Business Group receives winning bid for a controlling interest in Kia Motors Corporation
Kia revises Sportage and introduces a 2-door convertible model
Four Wheeler magazine names Sportage one of the Ten Best Buys in 4WD for the third year in a row
Sportage is named a Best Overall Value of the Year by IntelliChoice
Sportage wins Class 3 championship of SCORE Desert Championship Series for the second year in a row
in its first attempt, Sportage wins Class 3000 championship of the Silver State Series, a four-state series in the Nevada desert
Annual sales: 82,893 vehicles

1999 Milestones

Kia sells its 300,000th vehicle in the United States
In early 1999 Kia completed its nationwide rollout, with dealerships in all 50 states with the exception of North Dakota, making it the fifth largest import brand in dealer count
The purchase of Kia Motors Corporation is completed in March
Kia Motors Corporation (Korea) returns to profitability, and becomes one of the biggest business turnaround stories of recent years.
Sportage wins its class in the Baja 1000, clinching the Class 3 championship in the SCORE Desert Series
Annual sales: 134,594 vehicles a 62-percent increase over 1998

2000's

2000 Milestones

Kia sells its 500,000th vehicle in the United States
Kia expands its vehicle line-up by introducing the Spectra5 sport sedan hatchback, Rio sub-compact sedan and Optima mid-size sedan
Four Wheeler magazine names the Sportage one of the Ten Best Buys in 4WD for the fourth time in five years.
Sportage wins Class 3 for the Baja 2000, clinching its fourth straight Class 3 championship in the SCORE Desert Series
Annual sales: 160,606 vehicles a 19-percent increase over 1999

2001 Milestones

Sedona minivan and Rio 5-door sub-compact hatchback are launched in the U.S.
Annual sales: 223,727 vehicles

2002 Milestones

Kia sells its 750,000th vehicle in the United States
Sedona earns Kia's first five-star crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in frontal and side impact crash tests
All-new Sorento mid-size SUV is unveiled as a 2003 model
Redesigned 2003 model year Rio and Rio 5-door debut
Sedona receives a Vehicle Satisfaction award for customer satisfaction from AutoPacific
Sedona earns top honors for outstanding value by Strategic Vision
Sorento is voted Best SUV under $25,000 and Best Overall SUV Value by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA)
Sedona is named the Best Van by Sport Truck Connection at the Annual Light Truck and SUV Awards (ALTAS)
Kia is awarded the Gold Effie for Brand Campaign
Sportage makes its debut in the SCORE Trophy Truck competition, the most gruelling off-road racing division, at the San Felipe 250
Annual sales: 237,345 vehicles

2003 Milestones

Kia sells its one millionth vehicle in the United States
Kia, along with Hyundai Motors America, opens a new design center based in Irvine, Calif.
Sorento earns a five-star crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in side impact crash tests
Amanti premium large sedan introduced as a 2004 model at the New York Auto Show
Sorento is ranked highest in its segment in the Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) study
Sorento named Most Wanted SUV under $25,000 by Edmunds.com
Sorento named Best Midsize SUV in MotorWeek magazines Drivers Choice awards
Sorento named Best SUV under $25,000 by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA)
Sorento earns Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction Award from AutoPaficic
J.D. Power and Associations consumer survey names Kia.com as the highest-ranking manufacturer Web site in the automotive industry
Annual sales: 237,471 vehicles

2004 Milestones

Kia achieves 10th consecutive year of record sales
Optima earns a five-star rollover rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in rollover tests
Second generation Spectra makes its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit
Second generation Spectra5 makes its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show
Second generation Sportage unveiled
Sedona earns top honors in the minivan category in the Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) study
Amanti named The Most Significant New Entry Into the Luxury Segment by Car.com
Sorento named Best in Class by Truck Trend magazine
Sorento named Best SUV Value by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA)
Spectra named Best Economy Car and Amanti named Best Family Sedan by El Hispanic News
Annual sales: 270,055 vehicles

2005 Milestones

Amanti and Sportage are first Kia vehicles to win Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) award from J.D. Power and Associates. For J.D. Power and Associates award information, visit www.jdpower.com
Kia begins testing fuel cell vehicles
Kia launches its new global brand strategy The Power to Surprise, aimed at embodying Exciting and Enabling
Second generation Rio makes its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit
Second generation Sedona premieres at the Chicago Auto Show
Amanti ranked highest in its segment in the Strategic Vision Total Value Index (TVI) study
Amanti named Most Delightful Vehicle of 2004 by Strategic Vision
Rio receives Autobytel's Editors Choice Award for Most Improved Car of 2005
Spectra5 is named one of the top 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Books kbb.com
Sportage is named Best in Class Compact SUV under $25,000 by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA)
Spectra and Spectra5 are given the Best Buy Award by Consumers Digest
Sportage is named one of the Top 10 Cars for Graduates and one of the Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles by Edmunds.com
J.D. Power and Associates consumer survey names Kia.com as the highest-ranking manufacturer Web site in the automotive industry
Annual sales: 275,851 vehicles

2006 Milestones

In November, Kia sells its two millionth vehicle in United States
In March, Kia Motors Corporation announces plans to open its first U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Ga. Where production is planned to begin in 2009
In addition to earning a five-star crash rating from NHTSA, the second generation Sedona is the first minivan to earn the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for High Safety (IIHS) in frontal, side and read impact crash tests. IIHS calls Sedona the best minivan we've ever tested
Optima is awarded "Good" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal and rear impact crash tests
Rio and Rio 5-door are ranked highest in initial quality in the sub-compact car category (tie) by J.D. Power and Associates, becoming Kia's first IQS segment winner. For more J.D. Power and Associates award information, visit www.jdpower.com
Kia plans to launch the all-new Rondo CUV
Spectra and Sportage named Recommended Buys by Consumer Guide
Amanti and Spectra receive Most Delightful Vehicle award from Strategic Vision
Rio, Optima and Sedona named Best Bets by Car Book
Sportage named one of the Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Books kbb.com
Sorento named Best Midsize SUV in Brandimensions Consumer Voice Awards

2007 Milestones

In August, Kia Amanti Awarded "Good" Rating by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
In November, Kia Motors America Announce Certified Pre-Owned Program.
In November, Kia Sedona Awarded "Top Safety Pick" by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
In December, Kia Spectra5 Ranked #1 in U.S. News & World Report Auto Rankings.
In July, Sedona and Sorento are awarded "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in rear impact crash tests.
In June, Rio and Rio 5-door are ranked highest in initial quality in the sub-compact car category by J.D. Power and Associates for the second consecutive year. For more J.D. Power and Associates award information, visit www.jdpower.com
In June, Sorento and Sedona top their segments in the Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) study
In February, Sedona, Rio, Rio 5-door, Spectra, Spectra5, Optima, Sportage and Sorento awarded prestigious The Car Books 2007 "Best Bet" award.
In February, 2007 Kia Sedona honoured with MotorWeek's "Best Minivan" award
In January, 2007, U.S. Corporate Campus in Irvine, Calif. Opens.

2008 Milestones

In March, Kia globally unveiled the refreshed 2009 Optima midsize sedan at the New York International Auto Show that is set to go on sale in early fall.
In March, Kia debuted the KOUP concept at the 2009 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) during a press conference at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
In January, Kia introduces the all-new Borrego midsize SUV at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that is set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model.
In January, Kia achieved its 14th consecutive year of record sales in 2007 with 305,473 units sold, a 3.8 percent year-over-year increase.
In January, Kia announces multi-year partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and becomes the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA
In May, Kia celebrated its best sales month ever with record April sales of 30,066 units, a 15.6-percent increase over the same period in 2007
In June, Kia announced its best sales month ever for the second consecutive month with record May sales of 31,047 units
On June 24, Kia celebrated the official grand opening of its U.S. headquarters and state-of-the-art design center in Irvine, Calif.
In August, Kia announced its best July ever with record sales of 28,021 units
In December, Kia launched an update version of its award-winning Web site, Kia.com

2009 Milestones

In January, Kia achieved 14th consecutive year of increased market share
In August, Kia celebrated record July sales of 29,345 units, up 9.3 percent from June 2009
In August, Kia announced the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV will be first vehicle built at U.S. manufacturing plant
In September, Kia achieves all-time record monthly sales of 40,198 in August, up 38 percent over July and 60.4 percent year over year from August 2008
In September the all-new 2011 Sorento CUB is announced to officially go on sale in early 2010
In October, Kia announces best quarter ever with a September monthly total of 21,623 units sold, a 24.4-percent increase from September 2008

2010 Milestones

In January, Kia celebrates 15th consecutive year of increased market share
In January, Kia debuts advanced infotainment system, UVO powered by Microsoft during 2010 International CES
In February, Kia airs company's first-ever Super Bowl ad, nicknamed "Joyride Dream", during the big game on February 7
In February, Kia announces partnership with professional golfer Michelle Wie and becomes title sponsor of LPGA's inaugural Kia Classis
On February 26, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia celebrates its official Grand Opening
In March, Kia achieves all-time record February sales of 24,052, up 2.3-percent from previous sales record set in February 2007
In April 2010, Kia Motors announces its best quarter ever and all-time best March sales with a March monthly total of 30,522 units sold, a 23.5-percent increase over the same period last year and 10.7-percent increase over the previous March sales record set in 2007
In June, Kia Motors achieves all-time record May sales of 31,431 units, surpassing the previous May sales record of 31,047 set in 2008
In July, Kia Motors announces its best quarter ever and all-time best June sales with a June monthly total of 31,906 units sold, a 12.8-percent increase over the previous June best set in 2008
In August, Kia Motors announces record July sales of 35,419 units sold, a 20.7-percent increase from July 2009
In August, Kia Motors announces record July sales of 35,419 units sold, a 20.7-percent increase from July 2009
In October, Kia Motors announces its best quarter ever and all-time best September with a monthly total of 30,071 units sold, a 39-percent increase over September 2009
In October, Kia Motors announces the 2011 Sorento posts sales of more than 10,000 units in September, the first time since its debut
In November, Kia Motors achieves all-time best October sales with 31,199 units sold, a 38.7-percent increase over the same period last year
In December, Kia Motors announces record November sales with 26,601 units sold, bringing year to date sales to 325,824 and exceeding its previous full-year sales record set in 2007 of 305,473

2011 Milestones

In January, Kia Motors reports all-time record sales with 356,268 units sold for 2010, up 18.7-percent over 2009 and a 16.6-percent increase over the annual mark set in 2007
In January, Kia Motors announces the 2011 Sorento is the first nameplate to eclipse 100,000 units in the U.S. in one year with 108,202 units sold in 2010
In January, Kia Motors announces its 16th consecutive year of increased market share in the U.S.