Superman joining Kia's Justice League-themed fleet of vehicles

Kia is teaming up with the Justice League once again to create another show car that will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show. At the 2012 SEMA Show, Kia showed off various models inspired by DC Entertainment characters Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Cyborg, but a Superman-themed Kia Optima Hybrid will roll into the Windy City for next week's show.

In the above drawing, we only get to see a small portion of this car inspired by the Man of Steel, but it will have the requisite red-and-blue paint scheme with Superman's shield on the hood (subtle, it is not).

The previous cars include the Batman Optima, Aquaman Rio, Flash Forte Koup, Green Lantern Soul and Cyborg Forte. All six cars were created to raise awareness for the "We Can Be Heroes" campaign, which helps families in eastern Africa affected by drought and famine. 

Courtesy of: MSN Autos

Check out today's pre-owned special - An incredible '12 Kia Soul!

 

Looking for that perfect car that's lots of fun? Here is it! Come in for a test drive or click here for details.

Capturing the Driving Experience via Science and Media Arts

Kia Motors creates a visual symphony of art and science.

The best driving experience comes from the perfect connection between car and driver – a give-and-take relationship that dates back to when the wheel was first invented. Car owners often describe their vehicles as an extension of themselves. So it comes as no surprise that people can develop passionate and emotional bonds with their cars. We all know someone out there who loves their car with more than just sentimental value. You know who we’re talking about, and it might even be you – the three-hour double coat waxing devotee who probably even nicknamed their ride like a sea boat captain. It’s OK, we’re car people and totally get it.

There is definitely something going on between people and cars, so what if we could capture and turn these emotional connections into images? Kia Motors set out to do exactly that in a never before attempted project to visualize real-time emotions of driving through digital art. Our lab researchers teamed up with media artists to setup a special ‘Vehicle Research & Testing Lab.’ We put a set of drivers in the all-new Kia Cerato, hooked them up to physiological monitoring equipment, and let them hit the road while factoring in multiple variables into the driving equation such as speed and track conditions.

 Cerato Digital Croquis Art is Born

 So what were the results? Honestly, we got a bunch of squiggly lines, tons of zeroes and ones, and a lot of technical ‘mumbo-jumbo.’ Although all of this made plenty of sense to our lab researchers, it’s our team of media artists who transformed this output into a visual symphony they called “Cerato Digital Croquis Art” – a 3D digital art visualization that demonstrates how the driving experience and emotions stirred by the all-new Cerato can be brought to life.

Courtesy of: Kia Buzz

2013 Kia Optima named International Car of the Year

 

 

Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce that Road & Travel Magazine has named the 2013 Kia Optima as the International Car of the Year at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.  Completely redesigned for the 2011 model year, the Optima’s stunning design combined with modern amenities and impressive value propelled the mid-size sedan to becoming the top-selling Kia vehicle in 2012. 

“We are thrilled that our best-selling Optima has earned the distinction of being named International Car of the Year by Road & Travel Magazine, further elevating its status in the midsize segment," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications, KMA.  "The Optima continues to attract new customers to the Kia brand by offering an impressive combination of design, performance, comfort and technology.  All of this while still maintaining Kia’s unmatched value proposition."

Road & Travel Magazine gives ten ICOTY awards to new or existing model year vehicles with significant and/or impressive improvements.  These awards are based on the emotional connection between the consumer and vehicle.  The winners are chosen by the ICOTY jury, which consists of nationally renowned automotive journalists from respected publications such as MSN Autos, Car and Driver and Consumer Guide^® Automotive.

“The Kia Optima rose to the top of the list as the most emotionally compelling vehicle above all others,” said Courtney Caldwell, Road and Travel Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief.  “Its functional yet sleek design as well as advanced features intertwines effortlessly with consumer lifestyles on many levels, qualities we look for when considering contenders for the ICOTY awards.”

In addition to this prestigious accolade, the Optima has earned a number of awards including being named the 2012 "Best New Car Value" award from Kiplinger's Personal Finance, "Sedan of the Year" by Autobytel.com, one of the "Top Drives for 2012" by the Boston Globe and a "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest.

Courtesy of: Kia Motors America

Kia Motors Extends Major Sponsorship of Australian Open

 

Kia Motors announced at its Australian Open 2013 vehicle handover ceremony that it will extend its agreement as the major sponsor of the Australian Open for an additional five years through to 2018. The new deal cements Kia as the longest running major sponsor of the event, with 17 continuous years of commitment to the first tennis Grand Slam^® tournament of the year.

The sponsorship rights of the renewed agreement will remain largely the same, with a host of new marketing programs to be introduced by Kia at the Australian Open over the next five years. Kia will continue to supply more than 100 official tournament vehicles each year for the safe transportation of players, officials and visitors.

In addition, branded and integrated on- and offline experiences, such as the interactive Grand Slam Oval fan area at Melbourne Park, the live site at Fed Square in Melbourne, ‘Kia Fan of the Day’ and

‘Kia Fan of the Tournament’ contests will continue to boost fan engagement and excitement.

Courtesy of: Kia Buzz

Thanks for the fabulous review, Pat! Way to go, team!

 

"I found the Pomona dealership on the internet. I called for a price on a Forte and was given and excellent price. We came in and bought a 2012 Kia Forte. Our sales person was excellent." - Pat T.

To read more outstanding reviews, click here.

The Open Drive interview with Tommy Haas in Kia Sorento Will he tell us about his secret weapon for the Australian Open?

Kia Motors America Announces North American Debut Of The 2014 Cadenza At North American International Auto Show

 

Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2014 Cadenza premium sedan, the most technologically-advanced vehicle Kia has ever introduced in North America. The long-anticipated announcement today at Cobo Hall during the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) confirmed Kia’s intentions to enter into the premium-sedan segment. 

 The Cadenza expands KMA’s lineup of inspiring and award-winning vehicles while moving the brand up-market with an impressive list of premium standard and optional equipment, including Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD)¹ and Lane-Departure Warning System (LDWS).  The Cadenza is expected to arrive in Kia retail showrooms in the second quarter of this year, and pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date.

“Since the introduction of the range-topping Optima SXL last year, we have seen an increasing number of customers in our retail outlets looking for a sedan with even more upscale amenities and technology,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA.  “The Cadenza is the new flagship for Kia in the U.S. market, and when it goes on sale later this year, it will introduce a number of advanced systems that promise to set a new standard in the premium segment.”

With its distinctive front fascia and swept C-pillars, the Cadenza’s taut European design language is evident.  That it’s propelled by Kia’s most powerful V6 engine further announces its intentions to provide an invigorating driving experience.  Inside, unparalleled premium appointments for five occupants strike the ideal balance between sport and luxury.  Combining these elements with technology that, until now, has never been offered on any Kia vehicle in the market, the Cadenza quickly rises to the lofty elevation of being the brand’s most advanced U.S. product.

Courtesy of: KMA Newsroom

Monday's driving tip - Remember to use your headrest!

 

Before you hit the road, sit up straight, raise your head as high as you can, and press it into the headrest. Hold it there for five seconds, then relax and repeat five times. This will improve your posture and put muscles like your multifidus to work to keep your spine erect. This, in turn, will reduce the strain on your neck.

Courtesy of: Men's Health

The 2014 Kia Sorento has an answer for everything. So when a family finds itself having to squeeze into a narrow bay in a packed parking lot, it's the Sorento's power-folding mirrors and programmable power liftgate that help save the day.

Kia Motors America Launches Three-Part Marketing Campaign For Significantly Redesigned 2014 Sorento

 

Parenting can present challenging moments that require quick thinking and expedient solutions, and Kia Motors America (KMA) has launched a new three-part ad series that demonstrates how the brand’s redesigned 2014 Sorento CUV¹ can help Mom and Dad take on the day.  In the first 30-second spot, titled “Tight Space,” parental creativity is in high gear when two of the Sorento’s available features – power-folding mirrors and power liftgate – help a determined father make the slimmest parking garage space manageable while his skeptical wife and children look on.  Kia has been one of America’s fastest-growing car companies over the last five years², and the U.S.-built* 2014 Sorento is one of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms this year.
“The Sorento has been one of our best-selling vehicles each of the last three years and the ‘It Has an Answer for Everything™’ campaign offers a fun, lighthearted look at the human truths parents face every day while showcasing features and technologies that can provide assistance in even the most challenging situations,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA.  “‘Tight Space’ serves as the introduction to the redesigned Sorento, and when the next spot airs in the Super Bowl it will present an answer to an age-old question that has left generations of parents stuttering and searching carefully for words to help them escape an awkward yet truthful situation.”

Courtesy of: Kia Motors America newsroom

Car cleaning tip - Pay attention to the dirtiest spots in your car.

 

The dirtiest spots in a car's interior are the locations you touch, meaning the steering wheel, seat belt, the shifting knob and the driver's side door panel. The "V" between your legs, where your Egg McMuffin and coffee winds up, can also be very dirty. Locate these components and plan to spend a few extra minutes cleaning them. 

Courtesy of: Cartalk

Folks, take a look at this sweet pre-owned '12 Kia Soul!

 

This is one of the hottest cars on the road right now. Click here to find out more information or come in for a test drive today!

Kia Motors Announces Google Maps Integration to Enhance In-Car Connectivity

 

Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced it will work with Google to provide content and search-based solutions enabled by Application Program Interfaces (APIs) for the second-generation of the automaker's innovative UVO eServices telematics system.  These new solutions will initially be introduced on the new 2014 Sorento CUV.  The immediate integration of Google solutions will utilize Google Maps and Google Places to acquire driving directions and locate Points of Interest (POIs) in a seamless and organic manner.  KMA and Google look forward to continuing to work together to bring innovative navigation solutions to enhance the connected car experience.

Available with the 2014 Sorento CUV, the new Google-powered UVO system will serve Kia owners whether they are in their cars or away from them.  Enabled by the Send2Car feature, Kia owners can send a POI or destination to their car directly from the Google Maps via their smartphone¹ UVO app.  From within the car, Kia owners will benefit from Google Places, which will provide POI and destination resources such as a dealership location, and Google Maps, which will provide directions to virtually anywhere and everywhere a car can travel.

"The newest iteration of the UVO platform is a breakthrough as one of the industry’s first mobile pure app-based telematics systems, and now with the Google solutions and APIs, we take the platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer,” said Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist, KMA.  “Due to the popularity and ease-of-use of Google Maps, owners can remain confident in the technology and information being delivered to them.”

UVO continues to offer drivers hands-free mobile phone management capabilities and hands-free control of music from a variety of media sources, including CD, radio, USB, media player, and the Digital Jukebox.  With UVO eServices, users will now be able to control the 2014 Sorento’s on-board navigation system through voice commands when the vehicle is outfitted with the UVO eServices/navigation package.  Also new with UVO eServices is an enhanced telematics suite that offers a number of maintenance and infotainment functions, including 911 Connect, enhanced Roadside Assist², Automatic Diagnostics, Manual Diagnostics, Scheduled Diagnostics, vehicle maintenance, and eServices Guide, many of which are run through the owner’s Smartphone equipped with the UVO eServices app available at no charge³.

Advanced Voice Recognition makes it simple to operate many of UVO eServices functions, including the Sorento’s voice activated navigation system.  USB connectivity allows users to download music files from a memory stick into the Digital Jukebox.  The large eight-inch touch screen is easy to operate and incorporates Sorento’s rear camera display⁴, Infinity^®5 Premium Sound System and My POIs (personal Points of Interest via online maps), a feature that makes it easy to customize the owner’s most visited locations.  UVO eServices is compatible with iPhone^®6 at launch and Android^® phones are expected to be compatible in the second quarter of 2013.

Courtesy of: Kia Motors America Newsroom