Do you have a short attention span? Are you trying to work when you get a text, an email pings, a kid tugs at your shirt demanding dinner? If you think it’s hard to focus on anything for long periods of time, this is what companies around the globe are dealing with as they promote their products. They have to find new ways to grab your attention and keep it. As you know, that is no easy feat. This kind of disposable focus and 24 hour news cycle forces companies to be clever and unique or so outrageous, that they basically hit you over the head with their marketing. Somewhere in between all of this, Kia has found its stride in the American public, and they are becoming a company you won’t recognize, in a good way. Ten years ago, they were only known for their affordable, economical cars. They didn’t stand out or rank high on any top seller lists, but in the years since, they’ve managed to do a complete 180.
What was once the wallflower of the auto industry has reinvented themselves and stepped out as a sexy, modern head turner that has done the near impossible…Keep all eyes on them. From their number 1 spot on the 2016 U.S. J.D. Power Initial Quality Study to the introduction of the new Kia Stinger, this company has had a makeover from the inside out, and 2017 is ramping up to be another stellar year. Here are just a few highlights thus far.
At the beginning of May, the Kia Sorento hit a major milestone with the production of its one millionth Sorento CUV at the West Point facility in Georgia. Overall, this US based manufacturing plant has made almost 2.4 million vehicles, and has created more than 15,000 jobs in West Point and the neighboring areas. Integrating themselves into the American economy, Kia is producing cars for the American people, by the American people.
With their rise in the automotive ranks, Kia has attracted yet another industry veteran. Saad Chehab has been announced as the Vice President of Marketing Communications, and his impressive career in the auto world makes him a strong choice for continued Kia growth. Chehab previously served as the global chief marketing officer of Maserati, president and CEO of the Chrysler Brands, as well as the director of creative services at Ford Motor Company. His years of expertise will further Kia’s never ending quest to create affordable cars that make the demands of everyday driving easier, and dare I say, fun.
During the first quarter of 2017, Kia has sold almost 20,000 units of certified pre-owned vehicles making it the largest quarterly certified pre-owned sales total in company history. The Kia Sedona, their award winning minivan, boasts a 170.2 percent sales increase over the same period last year. Their continual outpacing of the industry is likely due to the rigorous Certified Pre-Owned program run in which they only accept vehicles 5 years or newer, and with less than 60,000 miles. Each vehicle then goes through a 150 point Quality Assurance inspection done by certified Kia technicians and comes backed by a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty and 12 month/12,000 mile Platinum coverage. In case your eyes glossed over on that last bit, the main takeaway is that Kia offers their customers the very best, even in their pre-owned cars, giving buyers an affordable, reliable option even when they don’t buy new.
To add on to the lengthy list of awards, the 2017 Kia Cadenza has just earned a major honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. When equipped with the optional front crash prevention and specific headlights, it performed well in five crashworthiness tests earning the 2017 Kia Cadenza the Top Safety Pick Plus joining many other Kia vehicles that have also earned this, the highest safety rating. The 2017 Cadenza is built with more than half Advanced High Strength Steel which is more than twice the amount used in the older model, and it increases durability while decreasing the noise, vibration and harshness during driving. Like the other Kia models, buyers can also choose from a variety of driver assistance systems available that aid in safety, furthering the point that Kia is striving to make driving safer for you and those around you.
Continuing down the list, Autotrader has named the 2017 Kia Sportage one of the must test drive vehicles of the year. As Kia’s longest running nameplate, Brian Moody, an executive editor at Autotrader said,
“The Sportage has a wide range of prices and options, has a unique look and comfortable interior. The 240 horsepower Sportage SX turbo is simply a blast to drive, something we were not expecting from a small SUV.”
Its athletic drivability and carefully sculpted design gives drivers space, safety (another Kia IIHS Top Safety Pick when equipped with optional front crash prevention) and an interior you won’t want to leave. Choose from a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline four on the FWD SX Turbo with 240 horsepower or the LX and EX trims with a 2.4 liter engine that has 181 horsepower. Even their longest running nameplate still surprises drivers with its modern updates.
I am a #KiaMom who drives a #KiaSorento. All opinions remain my own.