Kia Motors Corporation Company History

Kia Corporation (Korean: 기아; .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced [ki.a]) is a South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer, after its parent company, Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 2.8 million vehicles in 2019. Kia is owned by Hyundai, which holds a 33.88% stake valued at just over US$6 billion. Kia in turn is a minority owner of more than twenty Hyundai subsidiaries ranging from 4.9% up to 45.37%, totaling more than US$8.3 billion. According to the company, "Kia" derives from the Hanja 起 (ki, 'to arise') and 亞 (a, which stands for 亞細亞, meaning 'Asia'); it is roughly translated as "Rising from (East) Asia".[8][9][10] Kia was founded in May 1944, as Kyungsung Precision Industry (경성정밀공업; 京城精密工業), a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts, eventually producing Korea's first domestic bicycle, the Samchuly, in 1951.

In 1952, Kyungsung Precision Industry changed its name to Kia Industries,[1] and later it built Honda-licensed small motorcycles (starting in 1957) and Mazda-licensed trucks (1962) and cars (1974). The company opened its first integrated automotive assembly plant in 1973, the Sohari Plant.[11] Kia built the small Mazda-based Brisa range of cars until 1981, when production came to an end after the new... This forced Kia to give up passenger cars and focus entirely on light trucks.[12] Kia assembled a few hundred more cars in 1982 and 1983, after the ban had taken effect, but no passenger... Prior to the forced 1981 shutdown, Kia had rounded out its passenger car lineup with two other foreign models assembled under license: the Fiat 132[13][14] and the Peugeot 604.[15][16] The import of these knock-down... Starting in 1986 (when only 26 cars were manufactured, followed by over 95,000 the next year), 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.

These models included the Kia Pride, based on the Mazda 121 and the Avella, which were sold in North America and Australasia as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire. Kia Industries was renamed as Kia Motors Corporation in 1990.[2] learn how over 7,000 companies got started! Until its merger with Hyundai in 1998, Kia Motors Corporation was the second largest manufacturer of automobiles and trucks in South Korea. In addition to the core Korea market, Kia exports vehicles to Europe, North America, and several Asian countries. The company started out as one of Korea's giant chaebols (groups of companies), but was operating as an independent, publicly traded company in the early 1990s.

It entered the world's largest potential market, the United States, in 1992 with the formation of subsidiary Kia Motors America. However, the Asian financial crisis forced Kia into receivership, until Hyundai bailed it out in 1998, obtaining 51 percent share of ownership. Kia (Korean for "arise from Asia") was formed in 1944, shortly before North Korea invaded the South. The company would eventually succeed, first as a diversified manufacturer of bicycles and industrial products, and later as a manufacturer of trucks and automobiles. However, during the late 1940s and 1950s commercial expansion was effectively thwarted by the Korean War. By the end of the war in 1953, in fact, South Korea's industrial base lay in ruins.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Korea's recovery was slow. The Rhee (Rhee Syngman) government resorted to favoritism and corruption to maintain power and became increasingly authoritative. Student revolts in the 1960s forced Rhee Syngman into exile, and the ruling party that finally emerged from the ensuing political fray was headed by military leader Park Chung-hee. Park ruled Korea in characteristic military style. His regime during the 1960s and 1970s was marked by increasing centralization of power, both political and industrial. Importantly, though, his government was obsessed with economic growth and development.

So while Park was widely criticized for his authoritarian style, his government is credited with laying the foundation for South Korea's economic renaissance. Between 1960 and 1980, in fact, South Korea's annual exports surged from a negligible $33 million to more than $17 billion. Kia Motors benefitted from the economic revolution, growing from a small bicycle manufacturer to a global supplier of automobiles. Kia started out producing steel tubing and bicycle parts before building its own line of bicycles in the 1950s. It eventually parlayed that know-how into its own line of motorcycles, and later turned to truck production. The history of Kia Motors is a remarkable story of growth and innovation.

What started in 1944 as a small manufacturer of bicycle parts in Korea has transformed into a global automotive powerhouse. Join us as we look at how Kia evolved over the years, which has been marked by strategic decisions, technological advancements, and a commitment to excellence. Whether you are a car enthusiast or just curious about Kia’s rise to prominence, this story has something for everyone. Kia’s story began in 1944 as Kyungsung Precision Industry. Nestled in the heart of Korea, what started as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts laid the foundation for a future global automotive leader. On June 9, 1944, Kim Cheol-Ho founded Kyungsung Precision Industry, a manufacturer of bicycle parts and steel tubing.

Born in 1905, Kim Cheol-Ho was a determined man. He moved to Japan as a teenager, honed his skills in a steel mill, and later established his own business in Osaka, producing small bicycle parts. He established Kyungsung Precision Industry when he returned to Korea. It was here, amidst the backdrop of the Korean War, that the first Korean domestic bicycle, the Samchully, was born in 1951. The war brought about material shortages, but Kim’s resourcefulness turned this challenge into an opportunity. He crafted bicycles using leftover materials from the US military, such as oil drums and wire ropes.

Kia Motors Corp. is a South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer specializing in passenger cars, recreational vehicles, and commercial vehicles. The company produces a diverse range of models including compact cars like Picanto and Rio, SUVs such as Sportage and Sorento, and commercial trucks serving domestic and international markets. Founded in 1944 as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts, Kia evolved into South Korea’s oldest automobile company. The name “Kia” derives from Sino-Korean words meaning “arise or come up out of Asia,” reflecting the company’s ambition to emerge as a global automotive player from its Asian origins. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Kia operates as part of the Hyundai Motor Group following its 1998 acquisition.

The company has transformed from a bicycle parts manufacturer through motorcycles and trucks to become a significant global automotive brand recognized for innovative design, particularly after hiring Peter Schreyer as Chief Design Officer in... Kia was founded on December 11th as South Korea’s oldest car company, initially operating as Kyungsung Precision Industry. The company manufactured steel tubing and bicycle parts by hand, establishing the foundation for what would become a major automotive manufacturer. Kia began building complete bicycles, expanding beyond component manufacturing to produce finished products and establishing expertise in mechanical assembly that would support future automotive production. Quality is our life. More than a slogan it has become a way of life at Kia, a company which has been quick to embrace the need for quality improvement as a matter of corporate survival.

Under the old school of thinking, providing good after-sales service was understood as the best remedy for compromised quality. Today, product quality comes first above all else: It reaches all levels of the corporation. Even achieving the highest standards of after-sales service requires systematic quality management activities at all levels, whether at the product or personal service level. Until its merger with Hyundai in 1998, Kia Motors Corporation was the second largest manufacturer of automobiles and trucks in South Korea. In addition to the core Korea market, Kia exports vehicles to Europe, North America, and several Asian countries. The company started out as one of Korea's giant chaebols (groups of companies), but was operating as an independent, publicly traded company in the early 1990s.

It entered the world's largest potential market, the United States, in 1992 with the formation of subsidiary Kia Motors America. However, the Asian financial crisis forced Kia into receivership, until Hyundai bailed it out in 1998, obtaining 51 percent share of ownership. Kia (Korean for "arise from Asia") was formed in 1944, shortly before North Korea invaded the South. The company would eventually succeed, first as a diversified manufacturer of bicycles and industrial products, and later as a manufacturer of trucks and automobiles. However, during the late 1940s and 1950s commercial expansion was effectively thwarted by the Korean War. By the end of the war in 1953, in fact, South Korea's industrial base lay in ruins.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Korea's recovery was slow. The Rhee (Rhee Syngman) government resorted to favoritism and corruption to maintain power and became increasingly authoritative. Student revolts in the 1960s forced Rhee Syngman into exile, and the ruling party that finally emerged from the ensuing political fray was headed by military leader Park Chung-hee. Park ruled Korea in characteristic military style. His regime during the 1960s and 1970s was marked by increasing centralization of power, both political and industrial. Importantly, though, his government was obsessed with economic growth and development.

So while Park was widely criticized for his authoritarian style, his government is credited with laying the foundation for South Korea's economic renaissance. Between 1960 and 1980, in fact, South Korea's annual exports surged from a negligible $33 million to more than $17 billion. Kia Motors benefitted from the economic revolution, growing from a small bicycle manufacturer to a global supplier of automobiles. Kia started out producing steel tubing and bicycle parts before building its own line of bicycles in the 1950s. It eventually parlayed that know-how into its own line of motorcycles, and later turned to truck production. Our commitment to innovation never stops

* Capacity is based on official designed capacity. Kia Motors was initially founded as Kyungsung Precision Industry in December 1944. Gradually, the name was changed to Kia Industries. Presently, Kia Motors is headquartered in Seoul in South Korea and is the second largest manufacturer of automobiles there. Kia Motors owns over twenty subsidiaries of Hyundai which amounts to $8.3 billion USD. Originally, Kia Motors was known as Kyungsung Precision Industry that produced steel tubing and parts of bicycle.

The company progressed to manufacturing its very first domestic bicycle in 1951. It then changed its name to Kia Industries in 1952 and ventured into making cars, motorcycles, and trucks from 1957. Kia Motors had to shut down manufacturing passenger cars in 1981 due to the dictatorship of Chun Doo-Hwan who enforced industry consolidation. Kia entered the automobile arena again in 1986 through a partnership with Ford. It then went on producing Mazda-derived automobiles which were sold in South Korea as well as were exported to countries like America and Australia. Beginning 1992, Kia started expanding one region at a time in America and by 1995, it had over one hundred dealerships across thirty states and it set a record by selling 24,740 automobiles.

The same fate didn’t last long and Kia became bankrupt in 1997 following the Asian Financial Crisis. Kia was forced to diversify and came to an agreement with Hyundai Motor to exchange ownership between both the companies. As a result, Hyundai acquired 51% stake in Kia, Kia became an owner of 22 Hyundai Motor subsidiaries. August 2014 brought Kia Motors in the limelight when Pope Francis from the Catholic Church chose to ride in one of Kia’s cars during his 5 days visit to South Korea. Kia Corporation, originally known as Kyungsung Precision Industry, was founded on June 9, 1944, in Seoul, South Korea. The company began as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts, eventually producing Korea’s first domestic bicycle, the Samchully, in 1951.

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