Kia Motors, the country’s second-largest carmaker, reported today that it will hold a survey until October 25th to select the name for it’s new sport utility vehicle, which is to debut at North American International Auto Show on January 2008.

Kia had chosen three different names and gave an opportunitiy to anyone who wants to vote. Candidate names are: “Mohave”, “Windriver” and “Opelia”. The name will be defined on a popularity poll of the firm’s Internet homepage (Kia Motors).

Kia Motors, an affiliate of Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, plans to introduce the new, large SUV internationally at the gegining of the next year, as it looks at ways to grab a bigger slice of the North American market.

Codenamed the “HM”, the new model is aimed at competing with Toyota’s Lexus 350, BMW AG’s X5 and Mercedes Benz’s M-Class models in the United States, according to the automaker.

Kia Motors has spent three years developing the new SUV, which employs a 250-horsepower, 3-liter, V6 diesel engine. HM is the first Kia Motors vehicle designed by Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, who joined the company last year. [Korea times]