Officially official: Production of the all-new Kia Sorento begins today…

The first U.S.-built Kia vehicle, a white all-new Sorento, rolled off the production line today at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), officially opening the first U.S. Kia Motors plant.  KMMG is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles at full capacity and employ 2,500 people, with on-site and nearby suppliers creating 7,500 additional jobs in the region.

“The start of production for our first manufacturing facility in the United States further demonstrates our commitment to growth in North America and we are proud to be adding 2,500 jobs to the local economy,” said B.M. Ahn, President and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG.

Representing an investment of US$1 billion by Kia Motors, KMMG will establish new benchmarks for vehicle quality and productivity by utilizing some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing techniques.  KMMG’s general assembly area is outfitted with more than a half mile (0.8 km) of height-adjustable conveyors to achieve the most favorable installation position for each team member and reduce physical fatigue.  Also in general assembly, KMMG is the only plant in North America outfitted with wood flooring, which provides a more comfortable and forgiving work environment for team members.

Built on 2,200 acres (8.9 km2), the complex includes a body stamping facility, a transmission shop where the All-new Sorento’s six-speed automatic transmission is produced, and a two mile (3.2 km) test track in addition to the main assembly plant.  The plant’s 186-foot-long (57 m) stamping press delivers 5,400 tons of pressure to stamp steel into 17 different types of vehicle panels for the 2010 Sorento, operating at a speed of seven to 15 strokes per minute.  The massive stamping equipment spans from almost 20 feet (6 m) below the floor to 39.4 feet (12 m) high.

KMMG continues Kia Motors’ aggressive investment in the U.S. market.  Since 2002, more than US$1.3 billion has been invested in various facilities throughout the country, including a dedicated corporate campus and design center in Irvine, Calif., a state-of-the-art research and development center in Ann Arbor, Mich. and custom-built vehicle proving grounds in Mojave, Calif.

Since coming to market in the United States, Kia Motors, through its US-based marketing and distribution arm, KMA, has expanded to a full product line of vehicles and enjoyed 14 years of consecutive market share increases, including a 50 percent increase through October 2009.  Most recently, KMA posted its best sales quarter in company history and is one of only three automakers whose sales are up over their 2008 U.S. sales pace. [Source: Kia]

Visit your local Kia dealer to see the 2010 Kia Soul Special Edition Package 2.

When Kia first unveiled the Soul crossover to the US consumers earlier this year, the company also hinted it will release more “special edition” models over the vehicle’s lifespan.

Kia unveiled the very first of several limited editions of the compact hatchback only a couple of months after the Soul was first launched in February. Dubbed Soul Denim, the vehicle featured a very unique Denim exterior color, white painted alloy-wheels and white mirror caps, plus white racing stripe.

Following the Soul Denim SE #1 is a 2010 Kia Soul Special Edition Package 2, which features an exclusive painting scheme, accented with plenty of exterior and interior add-ons. The Soul SE #2 is built upon the standard “Soul +” model and includes all of the standard features of “+” model.

Setting the Kia Soul Special Edition Package 2 apart from other Souls is a special Ignition Orange body color, which has previously been un-available with any of the Souls sold in the US market. The body of the Soul SE #2 is covered with a striking off-centre, black coloured, racing stripe that runs the length of the car.

Also exclusive to the Soul Special Edition Package2 is a set of nicely stylized 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as aluminium fuel door and fender vents with mounted side marker repeaters. The Soul Special Edition #2 also features a sport-tuned suspension and is equipped with accessories such as rear sport spoiler, sport body kit and fog-lights.

Inside, the Soul SE #2 features black-painted dashboard, black seats, with white Soul logo inserts as well as upgraded audio system, iPod connector cable, steering-wheel controls, carpeted floor-mats and moonroof.

Although Kia has not yet officially announced, Kia Soul Special Edition Package 2 sales have already commenced. Pricing for the Soul SE #2 starts at $18,550.

The number two Soul Special Edition has been officially named the 2010 Kia Soul Ignition.

Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs), and commercial vehicles for October 2009, recording a total of 148,583 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 34.6%.

By region, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in China (24,896 units sold, a 119.3% year-on-year increase), North America (26,093 units sold, a 41.7% year-on-year increase), general markets (29,621 units sold, a 31.7% year-on-year increase), Europe (31,956 units, a 30.1% year-on-year increase) and Korea (39,017 units, a 7.2% year-on-year increase).

Cumulatively, through the first ten months of 2009, Kia’s global sales increased by 13.9% year-on-year and reached 1,336,378 units. The Chinese market experienced the highest gain with 191,765 units sold to date, representing a 54.8% increase. Korea, general markets, and North America showed cumulative year-on-year sales increases of 24.6% (327,542 units sold), 12.6% (243,530 units sold) and 8.8% (301,069 units sold), respectively.

To date in 2009, Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets has been the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Spectra’ or ‘Forte’ in some markets) with 237,402 units sold. Kia’s B-segment Rio and Sportage compact SUV compete closely for second with 141,929 and 141,564 units sold, respectively. The C-segment cee’d comes in fourth with 102,963 units sold, and the Picanto rounds up the top five with 84,761 units sold.

In terms of vehicle category sold overseas, Kia’s passenger and recreational vehicles achieved year-on-year increases in October of 53.2% (73,037 units) and 40.9% (36,621 units), respectively.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “We are thrilled to see that October proved to be another successful month for Kia. We will continue to build on this momentum by providing customers with vehicles for the young-at-heart, which are both stylish and fuel efficient.” [Source: Kia]

Kia sets ambitious goal to increase its sales in the US market by 17 percent in 2010!

According to Thomas Oh ( Executive Vice President), Kia Motors America is targeting 350.000 sales of new cars in the U.S. on a preliminary basis, compared with a projection of about 300.000 for 2009. Kia’s mmbitious sales target for 2010 is based on a prediction that the US car market is likely going to grow by about 8 percent next year, while global demand for new cars is expected to gain about 6 percent.

“Kia far outpaced the auto industry in terms of sales this year ans we we managed to turn the economic recession into an opportunity to sell more cars. We are very much prepared to grow and expand not only in the local market, but also overseas”, said Thomas Oh.

To lift its sales, Kia plans to roll out new models and increase the number of dealerships on the US soil. Reportedly, the Korean second largest carmaker will increase the number of dealerships by as much as 15 percent from last year for a total of 715 in 2010. The company expects to win many former sellers of U.S. automakers.

With the hot-selling Soul crossover, just recently launched Forte sedan and Forte Koup, and forth-coming Sorento crossover, Kia has built one of the most attractive vehicle line-ups in the automotive industry. But the automaker will not be resting and there are plans to expand the range with new, attractive models.

During the next 12 months, Kia will introduce at least three new models in the US market. Kia already announced it plans to debut a premium four-door vehicle, which will replace the outgoing Amanti sedan. Called Cadenza (K7 in Korea), the all-new premium sedan is expected to go on sale in the US early next year with a choice of a four-cylinder 2.4L Theta II engine or 3.5L V6 Lambda engine.

Later in the year, Cadenza will be joined by completely redesigned Sportage crossover and Optima sedan, while latest rumours indicate a 5-door version of the Forte compact car is also likely to make its debut in 2010.

The motto of the all-new 2010 Kia Forte Koup – “One Hot Ride” – took on a new meaning today as Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled its U.S. motorsports program at the 2009 SEMA Show.  KMA has teamed with the Kinetic Group to build and campaign two Forte Koups in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class.

“The Forte Koup is the latest chapter in the dramatic Kia brand transformation story, and the decision to enter into the motorsports arena was an easy one to make,” said Michael Sprague, Vice President of Marketing, KMA.  “The Forte Koup’s performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics make it a natural fit for road racing, and competing in GRAND-AM’s KONI Challenge Series enables us to reach an entirely new and passionate base of automotive enthusiasts.”

The GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Street Tuner (ST) class utilizes production-based race cars and has a wide variety of vehicles from the U.S., Europe and Asia, using weight and intake restrictions to maintain a level playing field for all entrants.

“We researched every form of auto racing in the U.S. to find a fan base that was aligned with our target demographics, and found GRAND-AM to be the perfect fit,” said Sprague.  “In addition to working with the Kinetic Group, we are also proud that Infinity Audio, whose high-end audio systems are offered in several Kia vehicles, will join us as the Official Sponsor of the #10 Infinity Kia Forte Koup Race Car during our inaugural motorsports season.”

As part of its motorsports team development, KMA identified and partnered with the Kinetic Group to develop, build and campaign two Forte Koup KONI Challenge spec cars.  Based outside of Atlanta, Kinetic provides a comprehensive array of in-house services, including fabrication, composites, paint and body, engine and electronics departments.  Kinetic’s staff of engineers, mechanics and crew have extensive race experience in many series, including NASCAR, Indy Racing League, the American Le Mans Series and the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series.

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Kia sales in the US market soar 45 percent compared to the same month last year…

October 2009 car sales statistics revealed that Korean car brands, including Kia and Hyundai, increased their new sales by nearly 50 percent compared to the same month last year. Hyundai announced its sales jumped 49 percent, while Kia reported it has experienced a 47 percent increase in October 2009.

Sales of both Korean carmakers have been boosted by rising demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, newly launched models and aggressive marketing campaigns. Combined sales of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group in the US market last month rose to 53.495 units and represents a 47 percent increase over the last year’s sales figures.

According to Kia Motors America, the company sold 22.490 units, while year-to-date sales totaled 261.060 units. As evident from the sales chart published below, Kia’s October sales got a boost from new launches, but older models, such as Optima sedan and sub-compact Rio, also performed very well last month.

The best selling Kia vehicle in the US in October was, once again, Forte compact sedan, which has just recently been accompanied with a sportier two-door Forte Koup model. Combined, Kia sold 4.984 Forte & Forte Koups last month.

Forte was followed by B-segment Rio and Borrego SUV with 4.005 and 3.919 units sold, respectively. October has been Borrego’s best sales month this year and probably its best month ever since its introduction two years ago! To date, Kia sold 8.685 units of Borrego in the US market.

Initial high demand for the Soul has cooled down a bit. Sales have fallen from record-high 5.751 units in August to an average of 2.000+ units in the last two months. October also marks the very first month when Nissan Cube outsold the Soul. Nissan dealers sold 2.097 Cubes, while Kia sold 2.063 units of its funky crossover.

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Kia introduces Soul Tempest limited edition in the UK…

Kia launched the funky new Soul earlier this year to include a range of ‘Originals’ – limited edition versions of the car – and with the change in season comes a change to the Originals collection. These ‘character’ models are designed to showcase equipment features and styles available on Soul which customers can match to their lifestyles and personalities.

The beginning of the month saw the launch of the all-new ‘Tempest’ Original, which replaces the outgoing ‘Samba’ model. The Tempest features standard metallic paintwork in Titanium Silver with black high-gloss bumper inserts and door mirrors, and is fitted with unique black 18-inch alloy wheels. Completing the look inside is the modern ‘Soul-Shine’ black seat trim with metallic centre fascia and chrome accents on the dashboard and instrument clusters.

Other key features include Kia’s Advanced Reversing Camera system with Electrochromic Rearview Mirror, as available on its sister model Shaker, and an upgraded audio system which features a dash-top centre speaker, rear sub-woofer and external amplifier.

Tempest is available in 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines with a four-speed automatic transmission available on the latter – the first time automatic has been offered on any Original model. And with the price of Tempest starting from just £12,845, it’s certainly a tempting offer.

There are other minor model year changes to the rest of the Soul range being introduced as running changes. The entry grade ’1′ trim now gains driver’s seat height adjust as standard.

Metallic centre fascia highlights and chrome accents have been improved and made brighter and are now offered as standard on the Soul 2 grade as well as all Originals. Also, the lidded storage tray in the upper dash has been redesigned for improved functionality and usage.

Colour availability has been revised on the Soul ’2′ mid-grade. With the deletion of Samba from the line-up, the vivid Tornado Red paintwork is now made available on all ’2′ models, while the vibrant metallic Cocktail Orange is no longer offered. This quickly changing line-up ensures that all Soul customers feel special knowing theirs is one of a limited number.

We are bringing you a few close-up shots of the all-new Kia Venga mini-MPV…

Our friends at ceedclub.hu informed us about the images that they posted at their website a few days ago. They have taken some great close-up shots of the upcoming Kia Venga, which is expected to go on sale shortly.

Here are some shots, to see more, head over to ceedclub.hu website, by clicking this link.

Kia Venga gallery:

Kia’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia is open for business and starts production of the 2011 Sorento.

It’s no longer months or weeks until Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia starts production of the 2011 Sorento. It’s now days. Cars have been rolling off the assembly lines for weeks now, but the official start of production is still mid-November, said Randy Jackson, KMMG director of human resources and administration.

That’s what Kia officials have said since the Korean auto manufacturer announced its plans to locate its first American manufacturing facility in West Point back in March 2006.

KMMG opened its doors this week to introduce the national media to the plant and the 2011 Sorento. On Thursday, press representatives from various Web sites and magazines viewed the training center, which is down Kia Parkway from the plant, and the plant itself. The public has not been allowed to tour the plant yet, but officials say they will be offered the chance in the future.

The one part of the plant that was completely off-limits to the group was the paint shop. Danny Gordon, who works in stamping, said the environment of the paint shop is so delicate, even the employees that work there can’t wear certain deodorants or colognes because it could adversely affect the paint process. They must wear lint-free suits and caps, he added… continue your read here.

Local dealership Loughborough Kia recently hosted a visit from a very rare guest – a unique Kia Soul designed exclusively by Jeff Banks for fashion retailer Matalan. The one-of-a-kind car was styled by the celebrated designer for an in-store competition that Matalan will be launching to its customers in the winter.

The ‘Unwrap a car for Christmas’ promotion will run from November 16^th to 24^th December within all 200+ Matalan stores around the country. The promotion with Kia is exclusively available to Matalan Reward Card holders who swipe their card when they purchase in store or online. Reward Cards are free and available in all stores so you can pick one up next time you visit your local Matalan.

Remodelled from the stylish Kia Soul Samba – already a head-turning vision in bright Tornado Red – international designer Jeff Banks was inspired by its bold personality and wanted to adapt the model one step further. He added red alloy wheels, racing seats and an in-car cinema system, complementing its existing sound system with red LED mood lighting. Jeff Banks’ crest features on the roof of the car, plus his autograph on the tailgate.

“The car looks absolutely amazing – very inspiring,” commented Cliff Johnson, Dealer Principal, Loughborough Kia. “One of Soul’s main benefits is the fact that it can be customised to suit its owner. There are many packages available from Kia with all sorts of design options so that anyone can customise their Soul to reflect their personality.”

Starting at only £10.775, Soul’s appeal is more than just its looks. And, with a host of options and accessory packs available, customers can tailor their Soul exactly as they wish. Individual options vary from interior and exterior items, including leather seats, body styling kits, a selection of decals and carpet mats.

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New spy shots of the 2011 Kia Sportage surface to the web…

Spy photographers have caught another prototype of the third generation Kia Sportage crossover. This time, the new-look Sportage has not been spotted in Korea, but near Kia’s R&D centre in Germany, which is responsible to take on Sportage’s design, powertrain and handling development.

Even though the exterior is covered with heavy camouflage, it is evident that new exterior design is a huge step up from the current model. Details that stand out on the 2011 Sportage are a roof line slightly lower than with the current model, short front and rear overhangs, sleeker side profile, stretched headlamps, as well as interestingly shaped windshield!

Codenamed SL, the 2011 Kia Sportage will share its engines with the all-new Hyundai ix35/Tucson, so you can expect to see the power coming from a wide range of four cylinder diesel and gasoline engines.

Gasoline power will come from 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II engines that will generate 166 and 175 horsepower, respectively, while diesel engine line up will include a 2.0L R-diesel engine with class-leading 184 horsepower rating and 15.4 kilometers per liter fuel economy. Smaller, 115-hp 1.7L four-cylinder diesel engine, as well as 1.6L GDI gasoline powerplant with 140 horsepower are also rumoured to find a place under the hood of next generation Sportage.

Latest reports from Kia also reveal, it is very unlikely we will see a gas-guzzling V6 engine in the new Sportage. What will be available in the 2011 Sportage for the very first time is Kia’s all-new six-speed automatic tranny, which will be available in addition to standard six-speed manual gearbox. Just like other new-coming Kia models, the 2011 Sportage will also feature an ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system.

Although the Sportage looks like it was ready for production it’s still some months away from its official introduction. The model will make its official premiere at the forth-coming Geneva Motor Show in 2010 and will go on sale in Europe sometime in the summer next year. US sales are projected to begin towards the end of 2010. [Source: Autoweek.nl]

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While major global automakers struggle, Korean automakers are on a roll! Kia posts record-high Q3 earnings.!

Both South Korean carmakers, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. continue to outperform its main international rivals by posting stronger sales results and higher earnings!

Recently, Kia reported that its net profit swelled to a record $339 million in the third quarter! Kia’s earnings were boosted by weaker South Korean won and higher sales achieved in the most important international markets such as China, US and Europe.

According to Pamela Munoz, a company representative, the Q3 net profit was Kia’s highest ever on a quarterly basis! Just a few days ago, Hyundai also announced its net profit hit a new record of $832 million for the three months that ended in September. Together with Hyundai, Kia now challenges Germany’s Volkswagen to become the most profitable automaker in the world!

Kia posted the largest sales gain in China, where the automaker saw its sales rising  48 percent to 166.869 units sold to date. The automaker has also been successful at its home, Korean market where sales increased to 291.525 units (+ 27 percent compared to last year’s figures) in the first nine months.

In the US, where sales have recently been boosted by introduction of “scrappage programs”, Kia increased both, its sales and market share. So far this year, Kia dealers across the nation moved 274.976 new vehicles from their showrooms (+ 6.5 percent). Cumulatively, through the first nine months of the fiscal year, Kia’s global sales increased to 1.187.795 units (+11 percent).

With a slew of new, exciting products just around the corner, Kia executives expect the growth to continue into next year and beyond. The automaker will soon launch its long-anticipated premium sedan, called K7 in Korea (and Cadenza in other markets), while Kia also has high hopes for the all-new Venga mini-MPV, which goes on sale in Europe within the next two months.

For the 2010, Kia plans to launch other new models including the next generation Sportage SUV and Optima sedan. The automaker will also increase its international marketing spendings and open its first-ever US manufacturing plant! Kia plans to hold a ceremonial first car (new Sorento) roll-out on November 16th.

We have yet another exclusive report on the all-new Kia K7! This time we are binging you the very first set of K7′s interior shots. Once again, pics have been sent to us by members of Korean Kia K7 clubs. Thanks for the pics! [Source: club-vg.net & vgclub.net]

We are bringing you a couple of more images of the all-new 2011 Kia Cadenza / K7 together with some pricing and engine details, provided to us by friends over at Korean Kia K7 club.

Engines: 290-hp 3.5V6, 2.7L V6 with 200-hp and 2.4L Theta II with 180-hp will be available at launch, while 201-hp Theta II GDI (gasoline direct injection) will be available from October 2010.

Estimated pricing: Korean K7 will start at 28 million Korean Won (US$23.800), while the top of the range K7 will go for 40 million Korean Won ($34.000). [Source: K7club.net]

Update: Follow the link to see the very first Kia K7 interior images!

Kia Cadenza / K7 gallery: