Kia Wikiwand

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] 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] Kia at the 2016 Paris Motor Show Kia Unveils its Biggest European Dealership – in London Kia Officially Opens Mexico Production Facility Kia Expands Green Space Around Production Sites Mobile App for Optima – Awarded at Red Dot Design

Kia Optima And Sedona Earn Autopacific's 2016 Ideal Vehicle Awards Kia reduces environmental impact of vehicle production Kia returns as Official Sponsor of Telemundo's web series "El Maestro" Featuring Latin Grammy Winner Luis Enrique... Kia Ranked Number One in the Auto Industry for Initial Quality by J.D. Power Kia recognized as one of the highest quality brands in the US auto industry by Strategic Vision Kia brings fans closer to UEFA EURO 2016™ with five-a-side tournament and new social media campaign... Kia backs creation of community auto mechanic training centers in Ethiopia and Kenya Kia hands over vehicle fleet for UEFA EURO 2016 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. The South Korean automobile manufacturer Kia has produced various cars, SUVs, and buses.

Kia Corporation formerly known as Kia Motors, (Korean: 기아자동차, ki.a), (stylized as KИ or ΚΙΛ), is a car company. The headquarters are in Seoul, South Korea. It is the second-largest automobile manufacturer in that country, after Hyundai Motor Company. Kia sold of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010.[2] The company is partly owned by the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyoung-Keun (Hank) Lee has been president since August 2009.[3] The word Kia comes from Korean words meaning "to arise from Asia to the world".

1944 Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids. Our commitment to innovation never stops * Capacity is based on official designed capacity. Kia Corporation, one of the world’s leading automakers today, has a rich and inspiring history marked by resilience, innovation, and strategic growth.

From its humble origins in South Korea to its current status as a global powerhouse, Kia’s journey reflects its ability to adapt to changing markets and redefine its identity over time. Kia traces its roots back to 1944, when it was founded as Kyungsung Precision Industry in Seoul, South Korea. The company initially produced steel tubing and bicycle parts, vital industries in post-World War II Korea. By 1952, Kyungsung had made history as Korea’s first domestic manufacturer of bicycles, releasing the Samchully. It was at this point that the company adopted the name „Kia,“ derived from Chinese characters „起亞,“ meaning „to rise from Asia.“ Kia’s transition into automotive manufacturing began in the early 1960s, a time when South Korea was rapidly industrializing.

The company entered the automotive space by assembling motorcycles under license and later moved into light trucks. One of its early ventures was the creation of three-wheeled cargo vehicles, which played a critical role in modernizing South Korea’s transport sector. In 1973, Kia took a major leap by establishing South Korea’s first integrated automotive assembly plant in Sohari. This facility became the bedrock of Kia’s foray into passenger cars, producing its first vehicle, the Brisa, in 1974. The Brisa was a compact car that positioned Kia as a significant player in Korea’s emerging automotive industry. However, political instability and economic challenges during the late 1970s forced Kia to diversify its product lineup, temporarily halting passenger car production to focus on trucks.

The 1980s marked a turning point for Kia. The company resumed passenger car production and entered into strategic partnerships to expand its technological capabilities. In 1986, Kia partnered with Ford, producing vehicles like the Kia Pride (a rebadged version of the Ford Festiva) and the Kia Avella for international markets. These collaborations allowed Kia to refine its engineering processes and expand its footprint overseas. Kia, the automotive brand responsible for attractive, reliable, and affordable vehicles like the Sorento and Telluride SUVs, was started in 1944 in South Korea with a steel tube and bicycle parts plant. Originally named the Kyungsung Precision Industry, the Kia brand received its modern name in 1952, and it didn't begin to build automotive vehicles until 1974, when it introduced the Brisa.

Since then, the Seoul-based automotive brand joined the Hyundai Motor Group and has continued to push what drivers can expect from a South Korean vehicle. Since 1998, when the Kia brand merged with Hyundai, the South Korean automaker has continuously improved its vehicles. Kia vehicles have seen an increase in reliability in recent history and are now in the top 10 in terms of reliability from Consumer Reports. The brand has also been seen near the top of the list of J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study, which looks at customer reports that are made about their vehicles. While Kia may be a South Korean brand, it has vehicle assembly plants all over the world.

Kia makes all of its own vehicles at these plants. Kia produces a number of cars and SUVs, as well as one minivan. In the United States, Kia has a manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, that began production in 2009. Vehicles built at this site are intended for both U.S. customers and international customers. The Kia models built here include the Telluride, the Sorento (along with the Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid), the Sportage (along with the Sportage Hybrid and Sportage PHEV), the K5, the all-electric EV9,...

The brand also has a plant in Mexico, where the Kia Forte and Kia Rio are assembled. However, two major Kia vehicles can only be imported into the U.S. from South Korea: the Kia Soul and Kia Carnival. The Carnival is one of the brand's newest vehicles, a minivan with a starting price of just under $37,000. Kia is one of the most recognized car manufacturers in the world. But many people still wonder who owns Kia and how the brand fits into the global auto industry.

This article explores Kia’s history, ownership, shareholders, and brands in detail. Kia was founded in 1944 in South Korea. It started as Kyungsung Precision Industry, producing bicycle parts and steel tubing. In 1952, the company changed its name to Kia Industries and began making motorcycles and trucks. By the 1970s, it had entered the car manufacturing business. The 1990s were challenging for Kia.

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