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• The well known and loved auto brand Kia has been producing vehicles since the 1950s, most of their focus on motorcycles and the Fiat 132 and Peugeot 604.
• Filing for bankruptcy in the 1990s, Kia partnered with auto brand Hyundai, switching their focus to the European market, then back on the U.S. market in the 2000s.
• In celebration of Kia selling 10 million vehicles JUST in the U.S., $10,000 will be donated to non-profits including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association, and Freedom Service Dogs of America.

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Kia started selling their vehicles in the United States in 1992. Now, they have one of the greatest auto industry success stories. The South Korean company recently celebrated its sale of their 10 millionth vehicle in the United States. Kia’s accomplishments are the result of delivering world-class quality, design and technology in every SUV, sedan, and electric vehicle. The 10 millionth vehicle, a “Runway Red” all-electric EV6 purchased by Monti Charoenphong at Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, California. This in itself underlines Kia’s commitment to sustainable mobility leadership going forward. Who isn’t going green?

Kia’s Origin Story

According to the company, the name “Kia” derives from the Sino-Korean characters 起 (ki, ‘to arise’) and 亞 (a, which stands for 亞細亞아세아, meaning ‘Asia’); it means “Rising from Asia.”

Kia was founded on June 9, 1944, as Kyungsung Precision Industry. Originally a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts, eventually producing Korea’s first domestic bicycle, the Samchully, in 1951. Soon in 1952, the company changed their name to the Kia Industries we know today. Kia had a rocky start due to military dictators’ consolidating the automotive industry. The focus being on motorcycles and passenger vehicles, then solely focusing on light trucks. 

Before the Shutdown

Prior to the forced 1981 shutdown, Kia had rounded out its passenger car lineup with two other foreign models. Those models being the Fiat 132 and the Peugeot 604. The import of these knock-down kits were permitted as long as Kia exported five cars for every single Fiat/Peugeot brought in.

Starting in 1986, only 26 cars were manufactured. However, the next year, the production was over 95,000. Kia rejoined the automobile industry in partnership with Ford. Kia produced several Mazda-derived vehicles for both domestic sales in South Korea and for export into other countries  where they were positioned at the budget end of the market. In 1992, Kia Motors America goes to the United States. The first Kia-brand vehicles in the United States were available at four dealerships in Portland, Oregon, in 1992. Since then, Kia methodically expanded one region at a time. Dealers in 1994 sold the Sephia and a few years later the United States segment expanded their line with the Sportage. 

Kia Goes Bankrupt

Kia declared bankruptcy in 1997 during the Asian financial crisis. Next, in 1998 they reached an agreement with Hyundai Motor Company to diversify by exchanging ownership between the two companies. Hyundai Motor Company acquired 51% of the company, outbidding Ford Motor Company. Since 2005, Kia has focused on the European market and has identified design as its “core future growth engine”. However, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in West Point opened in February 2010 after Kia recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. In August 2014, the company received international attention. Pope Francis of the Catholic Church rode in one of their compact cars, the Kia Soul, during a five-day visit to South Korea. In 2016, Kia Motors model reliability came in first in the United States by J.D. Power and Associates, becoming the first non-luxury automaker since 1989 to top that list. 

10 Millionth Vehicle?!?!

“Selling 10 million vehicles is a significant achievement and we at Kia are proud not only how far we’ve come, but also what the future has in store as we continue our push for sustainable mobility leadership,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO of Kia North America and Kia America. “To thank our customers for their support, Kia wants to give back in meaningful ways by helping those in need. We hope the positive impact of these donations will resonate for years to come.”

As part of Kia’s “Accelerate The Good” charitable initiatives, Kia will commemorate the 10 millionth Kia sold milestone through multiple acts of giving. Including $10,000 donations to non-profit organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association, and Freedom Service Dogs of America.

“We are a ‘Kia Family’, but once we saw the EV6, there was no question this would be our next car,” new owner Monti Charoenphong. “The day we took delivery was already very exciting, but to learn that we were also Kia’s 10 millionth customer in the U.S. was unbelievable and confirmed our love of this company and to electrified driving.”

Join The Hype and Buy a Kia Today!

Lawton Kia meets the standard of excellence that Kia has been setting for decades by providing Kia cars for sale. They serve multiple cities in OK like Chickasaw, Ardmore, Paul Valley and still expand as far as Wichita Falls, Texas. Visit Lawton Kia to talk with a specialist at 4455 NW Cache Rd conveniently placed in Lawton, Oklahoma! They’ll find the right Kia for you, no matter your budget or lifestyle. Lawton Kia has used cars too! Or, conveniently call (580) 713-0555!

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