History

HISTORY
70 years of progress and innovation
History of Kia
-
2010
year collapsed3monthKia's new midsize Saloon Optima is unveiled along with several key new technologies.
2monthKia's Georgia Plant opens in the United States of America.
1monthThe 7 year warranty is extended to all Kia cars in Europe.
-
2009
year collapsed12monthThe Venga, a strategic model for Europe, receives the iF Design Award.
11monthThe sub full-size luxury Cadenza Saloon is launched.
10monthKia Tigers become champions of the Korea Baseball League.
4monthThe Sorento R, a premium sub full size SUV, is launched.
3monthThe Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design Award.
Kia Soul and Kia Borrego make Kelly Blue Book's weekly '5 Great Deals' list at KBB.com in the U.S.
-
2008
year collapsed11monthKia is named Car Company of the Year by Autocar. Kia receives the Presidential Award for exceptional design management.
9monthThe Soul, a new concept CUV, is launched.
8monthThe Forte, a luxury midsize sedan, is launched.
6monthKia America opens its new corporate HQ and design center. The Lotze Innovation is launched.
4monthThe cee'd becomes Korea's first car to receive international environmental validation.
3monthCar Book recommends Kia cars as Best Bets.
1monthThe premium SUV Borrego is launched.
-
2007
year collapsed12monthKia's second China Plant opens.
4monthKia's first-ever European factory opens in Zilina, Slovakia.
-
2006
year collapsed11monthKia is named the winner of Environmental Management Award.
10monthConstruction commences at Kia's Georgia Plant.
9monthThe cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris Motor Show.
6monthThe Rio takes first place in J.D. Power's quality ranking in the sub-compact category.
1monthThe Sedona is launched.
-
2005
year collapsed7monthThe Grand Sedona is launched.
4monthThe Rio is launched.
3monthKia's cumulative exports exceed 5 million units.
-
2004
year collapsed12monthThe Sportage receives the Korea Color Design Award.
11monthKia receives the $7 billion USD Export Tower Award.
10monthThe Hwaseong Plant becomes the first local plant producing passenger cars to receive OHSMS certification.
8monthKia ranks first in the Korea Service Quality Index. The Sportage is launched.
5monthKia signs investment agreement for its second plant in China.
4monthConstruction on Kia's Slovakia Plant commences.
-
2003
year collapsed12monthAnnual exports of assembled cars exceed 500,000 units.
11monthThe Cerato is launched.
6monthAn initiative to pursue environment-friendly operations globally is declared.
5monthKia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute (Namyang R&D Center) opens.
3monthCumulative U.S. sales exceed 1 million units. The full size Amanti Saloon is launched.
-
2002
year collapsed4monthTotal Cumulative production exceeds 10 million units.
3monthThe Sorento is launched.
-
2001
year collapsed11monthKia receives the Korea Quality Award.
8monthKia Tigers professional baseball team is founded.
5monthThe Sedona sets foot in the U.S. market for the first time.