Kia: Rising from Asia, Driving the Future – A Legacy of Innovation and a Logo That Inspires

Kia Corporation, a South Korean multinational automotive company, is the second-largest after Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea, with sales exceeding 2.8 million units in 2019. This article provides a brief overview of Kia's history from 1944 to the present, highlighting its significant growth and development from the Kyungsung Precision Industry to the Kia we know today.

History of KIA Motor Corporation

Kia's origins can be traced back to Kyungsung Precision Industry, a pioneer in bicycle parts and steel tubing production in South Korea, which introduced the Samchully in 1951. Kia Industries renamed Kyungsung Precision Industry in 1952, began producing small Honda motorcycles and Mazda trucks under license in 1962. It introduced its first integrated assembly line in 1973 at its Sohari Plant. Production halted due to a military dictator's consolidation, shifting Kia's focus to light trucks. Before 1981's forced closure, Kia had a well-developed passenger car lineup in alliance with Peugeot and Fiat, allowing them to assemble the Peugeot 604 and Fiat 132 under license. Kia had to export five cars for each local Fiat or Peugeot sold.

In 1986, Kia revived small car production, initially producing 26 cars. By 1987, they produced over 95,000 cars. Kia partnered with Ford to produce small Mazda models for the local South Korean market and export. These models, such as the Kia Avella and Kia Pride, were rebadged as Ford Aspire and Ford Festiva in North America and Australasia markets. Kia expanded, forming Kia Motors America in 1992. By 1995, Kia had over a hundred thirty dealerships in over 130 states. The Sephia was the only available Kia brand in the USA, followed by the Sportage. By 1995, Kia sold a record 24,740 cars in the US. In 1997, Kia faced a financial crisis in Asia, leading to bankruptcy. In 1998, Kia and Hyundai Motor Company partnered to diversify ownership, resulting in Hyundai acquiring 51% of Kia, outbidding Ford Motor Company. After subsequent divestments, Hyundai became a one-third owner of Kia Motor Corporation and Kia's largest shareholder, while Kia retained possession of 22 Hyundai Motor Company divisions.

In 2005, Kia aimed to capture a share of the European market by focusing on design as its "core future growth engine." Peter Schreyer was appointed as chief design officer, leading to the creation of the 'Tiger Nose' grille. Kia's fortunes continued to grow, leading to the construction of Kia Motors Manufacturing in West Point, Georgia, a $1 billion investment, which was inaugurated in February 2010, marking 15 consecutive years of record growth. In 2016, Kia Motors became the first non-luxury automotive company to achieve the highest reliability ranking in the United States, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Meaning of KIA

The word Kia originates from the Sino-Korean language, where the first syllable 'Ki' means 'emerge or rise from', and the second part with the letter 'a' refers to Asia, thus forming the word Kia.

Meaning of KIA Logo

The Kia logo, used from 1944 to 1964, symbolized the company's primary function of bicycle manufacturing, marking its beginnings as Kyungsung Precision Industry. In 1957, Kyungsung Precision Industry changed its name to Kia, and in 1962, Kia began assembling cars under license, necessitating a new logo featuring a green circle and diagonal line resembling the upside-down letter 'Q'. In 1980, a new logo featuring a stylized wordmark in bold lettering and a blue curved line replaced the upper bar of the letter 'K'.

In the mid-1990s, Kia introduced a new logo featuring a Kia wordmark in a horizontal oval, a mix of red and white colors, symbolizing energy, passion, loyalty, and purity. The logo's unique feature was the absence of a horizontal line on the letter A. In 2012, the logo underwent a minor redesign, enhancing its clarity and boldness, and enhancing its color palette. In 2020, the Kia logo underwent a redesign, introducing a youthful, futuristic style while maintaining the brand's distinctiveness and identity. The new logo features a red inscription with three interconnected letters forming the name KIA.

Finally

Kia, established in 1944, has grown into an international brand with models like K5, Sorento, Sportage, Cerato, and Telluride, known for their reliability, durability, comfort, driveability, and safety. You can now check the KIA stocklist for more available and affordable models.