According to Kia Motors, the name "Kia" derives from the Hanja ki meaning arise or come up out of or rising up and the a stands for Asia. So Kia is roughly translated as arise or come up out of Asia or Rising out of Asia.

 South Korea's oldest car company, Kia was founded in 1944 as manufacturer of steel tubing. The company quickly evolved into a bicycle manufacturer, then moved into the manufacturing of motorcycles and trucks. Kia was both the first Korean company to produce internal combustion engines and the first to build passenger cars. In 1952, Kia changed its name from Kyungsung Precision Industry and later built motorcycles, trucks and cars. Starting in 1986, in partnership with Ford, Kia produced several Mazda derived vehicles for both domestic sales in Korea and imports into other countries. These models include the Pride (based on the Mazda 121) and the Avella, which were sold in North America and Australasia as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire.

 In addition to the design and manufacture of vehicles, Kia has always prided itself on customer service, and the company has been honored repeatedly for success in that area. In 1991, Kia became the first automaker to receive Korea's Total Quality Control (TQC) Grand 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. The following year, Kia was again honored as the first auto manufacturer to receive the Grand Prize for General Facilities Management at the 18th annual National Quality Management Competition.

 In 1992, Kia Motors America was incorporated in the United States. The first Kia-branded vehicles in the United States were sold from four dealerships in Portland, Oregon in February 1994. Since then, Kia expanded methodically one region at a time. Dealers in 1994 sold the Sephia, and a few years later the United States line expanded with the addition of the Sportage.

 Kia's bankruptcy in 1997, part of the Asian financial crisis, resulted in the company being acquired in 1998 by South Korean rival Hyundai Motor Company, outbidding Ford Motor Company which had owned an interest in Kia Motors since 1986. Kia is one of the most improved brands in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study although it continues to rank below the industry average.

 Kia's strategy of moving into the U.S. market region by region proved extremely successful and set a model for entering the U.S. market. In less than a decade, Kia surpassed even their most generous sales expectations to become a significant player in the U.S. auto market. Kia Motors Corp. is a highly successful automobile exporter. It sells vehicles in more than 120 countries and has recently engineered successful market launches in Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Kia Motors Corp. is committed to expansion, holding up as a symbol of this desire its Hwasung manufacturing plant. The Hwasung plant covers more than 3.3 million square meters and is located adjacent to a deep-water harbor. Equipped with state-of-the-art machine tools, manufacturing processes and a modern proving ground, the plant builds Kia's current American models as well as other models for domestic and export markets.

 Also crucial to the expansion process is the dedication to research and development. Recognizing the globalization of the auto industry, Kia operates technical and R&D centers in Seoul and Tokyo. In the development of its new vehicles, Kia maintains strategic alliances with key suppliers such as Rover, Bosch, Getrag, Lotus and other world-class technology and industry leaders.

 Testing of Kia vehicles is conducted at the Hwasung site. Facilities include a four-kilometer, four-lane, high-speed oval track with 40-degree banked turns and a wide variety of other test tracks with several different road surfaces. At the facility Kia vehicles are subjected to rigorous testing in real-world conditions to achieve the optimum in quality and reliability.

 With the support of its parent company and the company's dedication to producing high-quality vehicles at lower prices, Kia Motors America is enjoying continued success as a leader in affordable automotive transportation.

KIA CORPORATE HISTORY

1944
• Kia Motors Corporation of Seoul, South Korea, is founded as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts

1951
• Company is officially named ‘Kia Industries’
• Production of Korea’s first bicycle begins

1957
• Production of Korea’s first motor scooter, the C-100, begins
• Shihung factory is established

1961
• Production of Korea’s first motorcycle, the C-180, begins

1962
• Production of Korea’s first truck, the K-360, begins

1971
• The Titan, a 4-wheel cargo truck, is produced

1972
• Kia Service Co., Ltd. Is established

1973
• 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-1000 pick-up is produced

1974
• Kia begins manufacturing the Peugeot 604
• Kia makes the Fiat 132

1981
• The Bongo truck is produced

1984
• Kia Research and Development Center is established

1990
• The corporation name is changed to ‘Kia Motors, Inc.’

1991
• Kia Motors Corporation announces plans to enter U.S. marketplace and sell the Sephia compact sedan, followed by a sport-utility vehicle, the Sportage.
• Kia Motors Corporation becomes the first automaker to receive Korea's Total Quality Control (TQC) Grand 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
• 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 honored as the first auto manufacturer to receive the Grand Prize for General Facilities Management at the 18th annual National Quality Management Competition

1993
• Kia opens parts distribution center in Fullerton, Calif.
• Kia signs first 20 dealers to sell vehicles in the U.S.
• Sportage compact SUV is introduced

1994
• 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 Protégé in eight cities
• Kia moves into corporate offices at 2 Cromwell in Irvine, Calif.
• Annual sales: 12,163 vehicles

1995
• 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 What’s 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
• In July, Kia sells its 50,000th vehicle in the United States
• Sportage goes on sale 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 Buyer’s Guide
• Sephia wins the 1996 SCAA PRO Rally production class championship
• Annual sales: 36,274 vehicles

1997
• 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 mile of every race
• Annual sales: 55,325 vehicles

1998
• 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
• 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
• 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 of 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
• Sedona minivan and Rio5 sub-compact hatchback are launched in the U.S.
• Annual sales: 223,727 vehicles

2002
• 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 Rio5 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 grueling off-road racing division, at the San Felipe 250
• Annual sales: 237,345 vehicles

2003
• 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 magazine’s Driver’s 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 AutoPacific
• J.D. Power and Associates consumer survey names Kia.com as the highest-ranking manufacturer Web site in the automotive industry
• Annual sales: 237,471 vehicles

2004
• 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
• Kia breaks ground on its new U.S. Corporate Campus in Irvine, Calif.
• Amanti and Sportage are first Kia vehicles to win Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) award from J.D. Power & 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 Editor’s Choice Award for “Most Improved Car of 2005”
• Spectra5 is named one of the “Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000” by Kelley Blue Book’s 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 Consumer’s 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
• 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 Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal, side and rear 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 Rio5 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 Book’s kbb.com
• Sorento named “Best Midsize SUV” in Brandimensions’ Consumer Voice Awards