Current Models
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- Vehicle Data
Carens
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- Vehicle Data
Magentis
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- Vehicle Data
Picanto
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- Vehicle Data
Pro ceed
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- Vehicle Data
Rio
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- Vehicle Data
Sedona
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- Vehicle Data
Sorento
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- Vehicle Data
Soul
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- Vehicle Data
Sportage
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- Vehicle Data
Venga
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- Vehicle Data
ceed
Discontinued Models
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- Vehicle Data
Cerato
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- Vehicle Data
Clarus
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- Vehicle Data
Mentor
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- Vehicle Data
Mentor II
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- Vehicle Data
Pride
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- Vehicle Data
Shuma
Kia
Most of South Korea’s major industrial companies grew from the most humble of beginnings, and Kia is no exception. Established in 1944 as bicycle manufacturer Kyungsung Precision Industry, it changed its name after the Korean war to the Kia Industrial Company.
In 1970, Kia started assembling 1.2-litre Fiat 124 four-door saloons before Kia turned to Mazda for a car design it could build on its own.
After some interference from the Korean Government in the early 1980s (where Kia were told they could only produce light commercial vehicles), Kia again turned to Mazda, and licensed the Mazda 121 three-door hatchback, a new, 1.1-litre front-wheel drive model that had only been launched at the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show. Production as the Kia Pride started in 1986.
As Kia entered the 1990s it had already started planning its first self-designed models, and was also eyeing up other export markets – including the UK and from August 1992 started to make the first true Kia model – the Sephia four-door saloon, sold in the UK as the Kia Mentor. This still used tried-and-tested Mazda platforms, but the 1.5-litre engine was Kia’s own.
The UK designed Sportage compact SUV was launched in 1993.
Following the collapse of the Asian ‘Tiger Economies’ in the late 1990’s, Kia went into receivership before being rescued by Hyundai, becoming part of the Hyundai Group in 1998.
Kia is positioned as a more youthful and sporty brand, with Hyundai more up-market and conservative. Kia has continued to diversify its range since the Hyundai merger, adding SUVs (Sorento, second-generation Sportage); MPVs (Sedona and Carens); and small cars (Rio and Picanto). The most recent additions to the Kia range, Cee’d and ProCee’d have been well received by the motoring press and a strong future is forecast.
In 1970, Kia started assembling 1.2-litre Fiat 124 four-door saloons before Kia turned to Mazda for a car design it could build on its own.
After some interference from the Korean Government in the early 1980s (where Kia were told they could only produce light commercial vehicles), Kia again turned to Mazda, and licensed the Mazda 121 three-door hatchback, a new, 1.1-litre front-wheel drive model that had only been launched at the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show. Production as the Kia Pride started in 1986.
As Kia entered the 1990s it had already started planning its first self-designed models, and was also eyeing up other export markets – including the UK and from August 1992 started to make the first true Kia model – the Sephia four-door saloon, sold in the UK as the Kia Mentor. This still used tried-and-tested Mazda platforms, but the 1.5-litre engine was Kia’s own.
The UK designed Sportage compact SUV was launched in 1993.
Following the collapse of the Asian ‘Tiger Economies’ in the late 1990’s, Kia went into receivership before being rescued by Hyundai, becoming part of the Hyundai Group in 1998.
Kia is positioned as a more youthful and sporty brand, with Hyundai more up-market and conservative. Kia has continued to diversify its range since the Hyundai merger, adding SUVs (Sorento, second-generation Sportage); MPVs (Sedona and Carens); and small cars (Rio and Picanto). The most recent additions to the Kia range, Cee’d and ProCee’d have been well received by the motoring press and a strong future is forecast.
