2014 KIA SORENTO NAMED TO “TOP 10 CARS OF THE YEAR” LIST BY HISPANIC MOTOR PRESS AWARDS

• Kia BUZZ Editorial Team

Kia Motors is on a roll, winning another award at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the K900 (Qurois), the Kia Sorento also caught the attention of many people, especially among the Hispanic community.

Kia Motors top-selling crossover utility vehicle, the 2014 Sorento, was recently named one of the “Top 10 Cars of the Year” by the Hispanic Motor Press Awards. The Sorento took top honors in the competitive crossover segment of the annual survey of influential Hispanic journalists by virtue of its sleek styling, improved ride and handling and outstanding value proposition.

“Quality and value have universal appeal among car buyers, and the Kia Sorento offers both,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “With its multiple trim levels and wide array of standard features – all at an affordable price – the Sorento has earned many accolades, and we’re honored to count the Hispanic Motor Press Awards recognition among them.”

“The crossover segment is gaining popularity among consumers, and the size and attributes of these vehicles fit the needs of the family. The all-new Kia Sorento shows that this automaker is paying attention to what consumers want today. It won not because of its price, but because it is the best overall value in its class,” said the HMPA jury director, Ricardo Rodriguez-Long.

The Hispanic Motor Press Awards, which began in 2010, honor the Top 10 Cars of the Year annually at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Hispanic Motor Press Awards jury evaluates vehicles in 10 categories and in search of offerings that represent the best value, design, comfort, safety and functionality for Hispanic families

Sorento Continues to Drive Quality

• Kia BUZZ Editorial Team

For the second year in a row, Kia Sorento was spotlighted for the Best SUV over $40,000 in the 2013 Car of the Year awards presented by Drive, Australia’s leading automotive magazine.

The Sorento SLi diesel triumphed over its competitors and received praise from the judges, comprised of experienced individuals in the automotive industry. The family-friendly SUV was applauded for its slick six-speed autotransmission, composed road manners, comfortable ride and stylish looks, inside and out. It also won points for its five-year warranty and five-year (15,000km intervals) capped price servicing plan.

Kia is dedicated to offering customers in Australia a premium in driving experience, safety and value. According to Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow, “The validation of these efforts comes in the growing brand acceptance and value and the recognition of media experts like the Drive team.”

“Winning awards and the recognition it brings for the brand is very satisfying, but the ultimate reward is the knowledge that all our efforts on the Kia journey are bearing fruit,” added Mr. Barlow.

In a country as vast in area as Australia, the upgraded Sorento provides the ultimate driving experience, combining loads of space and stacks of creature comforts.

Read more about one fan who went on a transcontinental road adventure in his Kia Sorento. If you have gone on an interesting road trip in your Sorento and would like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments section and we will contact you.

Learn more about the Sorento:

-      2014 KIA SORENTO NAMED TO “TOP 10 CARS OF THE YEAR” LIST BY HISPANIC MOTOR PRESS AWARDS

-      Kia Carens and Sorento Earn Top Government Safety Ratings

-      Completely New Platform for Upgraded Sorento

-      Big Improvements and Upgrades for the Kia Sorento

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP NAMES KIA MOTORS AMERICA TO LIST OF MOST RECOMMENDED BRANDS

Kia Motors Tops the Automotive Segment and Outpaces the Industry Average

• Kia heads the list with 63 percent of respondents serving as brand advocates
• Positive recommendations are predictor of top-line growth for the brand

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 5, 2013 – Kia Motors America (KMA) was named one of 2013's Most Recommended Brands by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), validating the automaker’s ability to attract positive word-of-mouth recommendation. BCG unveiled its list of most recommended brands in five diverse product categories across five countries in its December report.

“At Kia, we understand the value of brand advocacy, enabling customer retention and acquisition through a combination of great product, positive ownership experience and brand reputation,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Just like measured media or experiential marketing, word-of-mouth recommendation is a powerful marketing communications channel, and it is one of the best ways for our world-class products to reach new consumers as awareness for the Kia brand continues to grow.”  

BCG surveyed 32,000 people to compile its list of 55 brands spread across five industries and five countries. Each organization achieved its position by placing among the top three brands in its respective product category and country, as measured by BCG's new strategic metric, which measures word-of-mouth recommendations known as the Brand Advocacy Index (BAI). This index demonstrates a strong correlation with top-line growth and helps identify concrete actions to improve advocacy.

“Consumers are positively endorsing the most recommended brands to their friends, family, and coworkers – often spontaneously and even when they are not even customers of the brand,” said Pedro Esquivias, a BCG partner and coauthor of the report. “As a result, these brands see strong financial gains that demonstrate the power of advocacy to drive top-line growth.” 

Kia:  One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive BrandsKia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and one of the lowest costs of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently moved up in the exclusive ranking of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands” after joining the list for the first time last year, and the company is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade, Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, Forte5, and Forte Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors AmericaKia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

About The Boston Consulting GroupThe Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 78 offices in 43 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.

About bcgperspectives.comBcgperspectives.com features the latest thinking from BCG experts as well as from CEOs, academics, and other leaders. It covers issues at the top of senior management’s agenda. It also provides unprecedented access to BCG’s extensive archive of thought leadership stretching back almost 50 years to the days of Bruce Henderson, the firm’s founder and one of the architects of modern management consulting. All of our content—including videos, podcasts, commentaries, and reports—can be accessed via PC, mobile, iPad, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

Press Release Information Accuracy Disclaimer

Information posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.

Kia of Abilene - About Us

About Our Kia Dealership in Abilene, TX

Kia of Abilene in Abilene, TX, also serving San Angelo, TX and BROWNWOOD, TX is proud to be an automotive leader in our area. Since opening our doors, Kia of Abilene has kept a firm commitment to our customers. We offer a wide selection of vehicles and hope to make the car buying process as quick and hassle free as possible.

If you would like financing options and you are in the market to purchase a new Kia or used car or truck, we will provide assistance to help you find financing options that fit your needs! Whether you have bad credit, no credit, or are a first time car buyer, you can trust that Kia of Abilene will get you into the car or truck you choose with professionalism and attention to your needs.

Kia of Abilene has an experienced and reliable Service and Parts departments that are open extra hours to help fit our customers' hectic schedules, and as always, Kia of Abilene offers competitive pricing for your automotive maintenance needs. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and our staff is committed to achieving this goal in every aspect of our business. Please feel free to reach us at (800) 741-5874 if you have any questions or comments.

Kia of Abilene offers a full selection of service areas including:

• New Vehicle Sales
• Pre-Owned Vehicle Sales
• Car Loans and Financing
• Certified Service Department
• Full Selection of Kia Parts and Accessories

- See more at: http://www.kiaofabilene.com/section/car-dealer/about-us/Abilene-TX-Kia-Dealer#sthash.RRsYEyi9.dpuf

Our hope is you will use this blog as a resource for shopping for a vehicle as well as new car reviews, auto industry news, and much moreOur hope is you will use this blog as a resource for shopping for a vehicle as well as new car reviews, auto industry news, and much more

Kia Motors America has announced the Sedona minivan is now on sale at your local dealership.

Kia Motors America has announced the Sedona minivan is now on sale at your local dealership. For the 2014 Model Year, the 7-seat Sedona MPV received a subtle styling makeover and several trim upgrades. Styling-wise, the 2014 Kia Sedona adopts a slightly updated signature grille, revised bumper, as well as new lighting (including standard fog lamps) and 17-inch alloy wheels. Starting at $26,750, the seven-passenger minivan is available in LX and EX trim levels. Base 2014 Kia Sedona LX hosts a plethora of standard features including LED lights, fog lights, air conditioning, cruise control, second-row captain’s chairs, and 16-inch steel wheels. Furthermore, the LX model also offers keyless entry, satellite radio compatibility, Bluetooth hands-free and streaming-audio connectivity. All Sedonas also get a storage console for iPads and smart tablets. The Sedona EX gets standard leather-trimmed seats, front seat heaters, automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, heated driver’s seat, roof rack, and a rearview camera display. The 2014 Kia Sedona EX starts at $31,750 (shipping included). Kia Sedona is powered by the 3,5L V6 engine rated at 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. The unit is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which sends the power to the front wheels.

2014 Kia Sedona News, Rumors, Release Date

Kia owners and enthusiasts in the United States and elswhere around the world are sure to have mixed feelings about the latest news concerning the 2014 Kia Sedona. As many of you know, Kia have decided to remove the aging 7-seat minivan model from its US lineup, which means there will be no 2013 model. That might very well come as a blow for those folks looking for a spacious 7-seat minivan that is truly affordable, but it really should be viewed as a breather as Kia skips a year in order to prepare a radically redesigned model in 2014. The latest news in the industry so far is that the all new Kia Sedona will be based on the KV7 concept that was put on display during the 2011 North American Auto Show. If that’s the case, expect the 2014 Kia Sedona MPV to be the most stylish minivan on the market. Kia is saying very little about the next-generation Sedona MPV. Most of their attention has been on the upcoming Forte sedan and their other newer vehicles that have been recently showcased at various auto shows across the US. That should not be viewed as a sign that a new Sedona isn’t in their plans, especially since Kia has already said they are committed to the minivan segment. It’s for that reason that many believe that the new Sedona might very well be based on the 2-year old KV7 concept. Kia has built something of a reputation for bringing stunning concept cars to market, so it stands to reason that the KV7 will have at least some influence on the 2014 Sedona. Since this will be a new generation, we can expect that Kia will add a whole new list of premium features and safety systems to the Sedona. One of the most common features found on modern Kia cars is the UVO infotainment system, which allows drivers access to music streaming, handsfree calling, and can also come with navigation technology. 2014 Sedona = KV7 Concept? Kia KV7 concept vehicle was roundly applauded for the way it rethought the minivan. The exterior displayed the tiger-nose grille that is now part of the Kia signature. The exterior shape of the KV7 concept somewhat echoes that of the super cool Kia Soul, thanks to a wide stance and a boxy profile that were deisgned to deliver headroom and cargo space. The KV7 also featured some really stylish touches, such as LED fog lights and turn signals, lights in the rear that span the entire vehicle, and killer 20-inch alloy wheels. Fingers are crossed that those features will make their way to a production model. Kia Sedona Engines, Release Date There is a ton of power under the hood of the Kia KV7, with a Theta II 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that cranks out up to 274 horsepower. This is another feature that many folks would love to see carried over the the next generation Kia Sedona. Kia has yet to release the official launch date of the 2014 Sedona minivan, while latest rumors suggest that the redesigned model is set to be unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Parallel Park Kia’s All-New cee’d? No Problem

Let’s admit it –parallel parking isn’t exactly the best part of driving, and it can be both tricky and stressful, especially in some tight European city spaces. That’s why Kia came up with the ‘parallel park assist system’ for our All-New cee’d, so you can just sit back, relax and let 10 parking sensors do the rest.

Don’t believe us? Check out the video from Kia UK below to see the cee’d’s parallel park assist system in action:

2014 Kia Cadenza goes on sale this month

2014 Kia Cadenza goes on sale this month priced from $35,100* - http://aol.it/11MbhEc



Kia's sedan lineup is about to get much more luxurious with the addition of the new Cadenza and range-topping Quoris models, but the Amanti-replacing 2014 Cadenza will be the first to hit dealers this month with a starting price of $35,100 (*not including $800 for destination). For those keeping record, that's more expensive than Hyundai's version of this car, the Azera, and about $1,000 more than the Genesis, but it sounds like the new front-wheel-drive Kia will be getting a few more advanced features than its Hyundai counterpart.

In base form, the Cadenza comes standard with leather seating, navigation and a premium Infinity 12-speaker audio system, and the $3,000 Luxury Package adds nappa leather seats with a ventilated driver's seat, a seven-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) display, heated rear seats, power tilt and telescoping steering column, adaptive HID headlights and a panoramic sunroof. On models already equipped with the Luxury Package, buyers can also add on the Technology Package, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane departure warning and hydrophobic glass on the front doors – previously, Kia stated that the Cadenza would be getting this water-repelling technology on the windshield, but this press release specifies that it will be applied to the front side windows. And if these two packages aren't enough luxury for you, Kia's cherry on top is a no-cost White Package that adds white nappa leather seats, woodgrain trim and a premium headliner.

All in, the 2014 Cadenza will run $41,100 with every option box checked, so we can only imagine how much the Qurois is going to cost when it makes its debut. Scroll down for the press release detailing the pricing for the new Cadenza.

Kia unveils all-new Soul at New York Auto Show - http://bit.ly/14SuLuE