The 2010 Kia Forte is Top Safety Pick According to IIHS – Insurance Institute for Highway Safety!

One of the most important features that car buyers are looking for in an automobile is safety. This is why the Top Safety Pick award is an important accolade for the wining car, the 2010 Kia Forte.

Recently, the US-based research firm, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just given the important Top Safety Pick honors to the 2010 Kia Forte, one of the highest rated small cars according to Thecarconnection.

Originally, the 2010 Kia Forte did not “wow” its testers. The result of its safety tests was a simple “acceptable” and not exemplary. It received an “acceptable” overall rating for side impact and driver torso protection, with just a “marginal” ranking for passenger torso protection and driver head protection.

In October 2009, Kia decided to improve its rating and implemented some design changes to the Forte’s B-pillar and roof structure so that passengers and driver are better protected when the car rolls over or is hit from the sides.

The 2010 Kia Forte went through a retest, and true enough it earned an overall “good” score and received the Top Safety Pick designation. This recognition guarantees that the car stood stern and protected from the frontal, side and rear impact tests. The new roof was also declared strong and electronic stability secure.

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Kia Motors announced its global sales figures for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for March 2010, recording a total of 177,351 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 41.0%.

In March, Kia posted impressive double digit year-on-year sales increases in all sales regions: 98.0% in China (28,792 units sold), 55.7% in general markets (35,114 units sold), 33.4% in Europe* (40,471 units sold), 26.5% in Korea (38,015 units sold) and 23.6% in North America (34,959 units sold).

Cumulatively, through the first three months of 2010, Kia’s global sales increased by 46.9% year-on-year and reached 471,010 units. China experienced the highest gain of 147.8% based on sales of 90,131 units to date in 2010.

The remaining regions have all showed cumulative strong year-on-year sales increases: 56.3% in general markets (98,419 units sold), 38.5% in Europe* (90,679 units sold), 32.5% in Korea (105,231 units sold) and 13.1% in North America (86,550 units sold).

Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets for the month of March was the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets) with 32,283 units sold. The B-segment Sportage compact SUV and Rio compete for second with 17,029 and 16,970 units sold, respectively. The European C-segment cee’d comes in fourth with 13,916 units sold, and the Sorento mid-size CUV rounds out the top five with 13,481 units sold.

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Kia will introduce Optima wagon, considering to build two-door Optima Coupe!

Autocar.co.uk recently reported that Kia is planning to expand its Optima line-up with at least one or two new variants of just recently launched mid-sized sedan.

The company is planning to bring wagon variant of new Optima to the European market and considering to build a two-door Optima coupe. When asked about the new Optima wagon, Peter Schreyer said: “I would love to do station wagon and coupe versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupe would work in the U.S.”

Kia is currently also debating what to call the upcoming mid-size sedan in Europe, where it has been sold under the Magentis nameplate. The Magentis hasn’t established itself in the European market, so it is very likely that Kia will replace it with another one. The automaker is considering two options, the K5 as it is known in South Korea and Optima, as it is known as in the U.S.

The 2011 Kia Optima is expected to go on sale in Europe in the first half of next year with a range of EURO5 diesel engines taken from Sportage. Those include the entry-level 1.7L and more potent 2.0L units. A 2.0L gasoline engine will also be available. [Source: Autocar.co.uk]

Kia says it will bring start-stop technology to North America within two years!

Kia is finally bringing some of its cutting-edge eco-friendly technology to North America. We are talking about the start-stop technolgy, which is already available on certain European models including Kia cee’d and new Kia Venga.

Called ISG (Idle Stop and Go), the innovative start-stop system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped or rolling forwards at less than 4 kilometers per hour.

According to the company, the fuel-saving ISG technology will be available on many North American vehicles within two years. “Start-stop will be a key part of our development activity in the next two product cycles (in 2012 and 2016)” said Timothy White, Hyundai-Kia’s senior powertrain manager during the SAE World Congress.

The new technology is expected to provide a 3 percent increase in fuel economy across entire Kia line-up and will help the automaker to achieve to meet tougher North American fuel economy requirements.

Kia has been one of the first automakers in Europe to offer start-stop technology on mass-market cars.

Kia Soul commercial wins the “Automotive TV Ad of the Year” award!

The awesome Kia Soul TV commercial was named “Automotive TV Ad of the Year” at the Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards during the New York International Audio Show.

The cute and creative Kia Soul commercial shows a city that is inhabited by hamsters in suburban streets who go about doing what hamsters do best – mindlessly running on their exercise wheels but never moving to another spot.

They are not getting anywhere. But their world suddenly changes as a flashing red Kia Soul crossover pulls up to a stoplight. The windows roll down and inside are tree hamsters tapping their paws to cool music. These cool hamsters running on the 2010 Kia Soul discovered “A New Way to Roll.”

The creative commercial creator, David&Goliath, depicts the Soul as a lounge on wheels as the hamsters bob their head to four different music tracks coming from the Kia’s audio system with speaker lights pulsing to the beat of the music.

As viewers look closely, on the cool hamsters’ iPod are information on the song tracks and artists. This was an intentional placement because each track is downloadable from kiasoul.com website.

The Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards chooses the best advertisements based on the votes of an online panel of TV viewers who watch TV programs not as a clinical research but an actual natural TV viewing experience.

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Meet Rob Woodward, the owner of a heavily customized Kia Soul crossover that features a plethora of aftermarket modifications, including a set of Eibach lowering springs, Takeda CAI and underbody lights.

The so-called Soul Reptile also features European Burner grille, door-mirrors, roof rails, eyeliners, led side repeaters, tail light bezels, rear spoiler, rear hatch handle and custom badges, all painted in green! And the list of aftermarket modifications continues…below!

1. How and when did you find out about the Kia Soul?

Well having the advantage of working for Kia since 2002 I was able to see the Soul as a concept when it was first released in 2006 when I worked the Auto show, since then I have followed it into production, and when it finally arrived as a production vehicle last year at the Auto show, I had to go take a look to see how it would look in person. After seeing it I decided to get rid of my 04 Maxima and get a Soul.

2. How long have you owned your Soul and what are your experiences so far?

I bought my Soul in April but had to wait 5 weeks for it to arrive as it was still early in the production of them and the 5 speeds were more difficult to get. I love my car although the first week I was missing the power of the Maxima (140 hp vs. 280 hp), until I filled up for the first time and instead of $85 it was only $36.68, since then I haven’t missed the power at all, I have just over 31,000 km on it and no problems or issues other than my door skins have yet to be fixed.

I find this to be a special car to me, as I have a tendency to get bored with a car. In the past 9 months I have had to bring in family and friends cars for service (ones that are much higher end), and find myself wanting to get back in my Soul by the time I am driving there car home.

3. If you had to pick one thing what was it that really sold you on the Kia Soul?

The uniqueness of it, I love to be different than everyone else, and it was one of the main reasons I had chosen the Soul, on top of that with all the toys you get for under $20,000 there way almost no way I could pass it up.

4. Can you tell us some interesting comments that you have heard about your ride from friends, family and other people?

Actually the one that stands out the most is a gentleman in his 40′s driving a 750i got out of his car and told me I love your car it’s totally unique. Most people either love it or hate it, black and bright green gets the attention both good and bad. I have had people stop to look at it and others laugh as they drive by. Either way it’s my car and I love it.

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Record-high March 2010 Kia sales boosted by new Kia Soul, Sorento and Forte / Forte Koup models.

Kia Motors America announced the brand’s all-time best March sales of 30.522 units sold, a 23 percent increase over the same period last year and 10 percent increase over the previous March sales record set in 2007.

The all-new Kia Sorento continues to post impressive sales numbers. For the third consecutive month the all-new Sorento was Kia’s best-selling vehicle. Last month, Kia delivered 9.158 units of Sorento crossover to the U.S. customers.

With 5.106 and 4.830 units sold, respectively, the funky Kia Soul crossover and Forte compact sedan were both another star performers in the Kia range.

“Kia Motors is achieving record sales in the middle of the most aggressive new product launch cycle in company history that is delivering vehicles like the all-new Sorento that combine world-class design with the latest technology and convenience features,” said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).

“Groundbreaking products like the Soul, Forte and new Sorento have rapidly changed Kia’s DNA and elevated the brand’s profile, and are the driving force behind our sales records. We expect this trend to continue as new models come on line later this year.” added B.M. Ahn.

Kia sales table: March 2009

The all-new 2011 Kia Forte 5 door hatchback joins Kia Forte sedan and two-door Kia Forte Koup.

Kia Motors America plans to expand its Forte range by introducing the 5-door Forte with hatchback body style.

The 2011 Kia Forte 5 door has been one of four exciting Kia cars that made their inaugural public premieres at the New York International Auto Show. It has been put on display alongside hot-looking Kia Sorento SX, new Optima sedan and completely redesigned Sportage crossover.

The all-new Forte 5-door follows the design lines of the Forte sedan and the two-door Koup. It incorporates similar front-end styling as the four-door sibling with minor changes made to the front grille. Major styling changes have been done to the car’s rear-end, which received the fifth-door for sportier look and added practicality.

The 5-door Kia Forte will ba available with three efficient four-cylinder engines coupled with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. According to Kia, North American customers will be able to choose from 2.0L and 2.4L engines, while consumers outside of the USA and Canada will be able to choose between 1.6L and 2.0L engines.

Kia revealed the 2011 Forte 5-door has been scheduled to go on sale in the NA market in October, so we will have to wait until then to hear more information about available trim levels and detailed pricing.

2011 Kia Forte 5-door images:

Kia Soul Ghost, the No. 4 Special Edition Soul model, is on its way to Kia dealerships!

After introducing three uniquely styled Souls in a span of past six months, Kia is now bringing its fourth Special Edition model to the market. Called Soul Ghost Special Edition, the model will be marketed exclusively on the U.S. soil and is expected to be the last Special Edition Soul to be brought to the market this year.

But, since all four Soul Special Models have been very-well accepted by consumers across the USA and were sold out pretty quickly, according to some Kia dealer reports, we are pretty confident to see more Soul SE editions coming from Kia soon.

Kia did not reveal how many Special Edition Souls it has build, but we have been told that the company brought about 2500 units of each SE model to the States.

The 2010 Kia Soul Ghost Special Edition model follows Soul Shadow, Soul Dragon and Soul Denim editions and differs from standard Kia Soul by its unique exterior colour and various add-ons exclusive to all Special Edition Souls from before.

As the name implies, the 2010 Soul Ghost is done up in a special gray-blue exterior color scheme. Besides the sport body kit and rear spoiler, the Ghost Blue Soul also sports a set of blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels with machined accents and fender vents with side marker repeaters, while a couple of gray side stripes make up the tweaks made outside.

Inside, the Soul Ghost gets black leather wrapped seats equipped with seat warmers.

Kia has yet to release official pricing information for the Soul Ghost Special Edition, but we were told consumers can expect the model to start at around $18,500.

2010 Kia Soul Ghost Special Edition images:

The long-anticipated 2011 Kia Optima sedan makes its official U.S. premiere!

Kia today unveiled the long-anticipated 2011 Optima midsize sedan at the New York auto show event. Arriving in showrooms in early fall, the next-gen Optima sedan continues Kia’s design-led transformation while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle.

Kia Optima’s groundbreaking spirit continues under the hood and inside the cabin with the introduction of three new powertrains – including the brand’s first-ever hybrid in the U.S. market (available from 2011) – which deliver class-leading power and fuel economy while the latest technology features and luxury amenities are available at the touch of a button or a simple voice command.

Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt and Irvine, Calif., the all-new 2011 Optima is longer, wider and lower than the vehicle it replaces and is based on an all-new midsize platform that allowed for distinctive dimensions and proportions in the segment1 while also providing a unique canvas for Kia’s global design team to pen a vehicle that stands apart from everything else in the segment.

The 2011 Kia Optima also employs engine management systems like direct injection and turbocharging to help bring performance to the brand without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

Its smooth-flowing lines speak of grace and style and offer a strong hint of European luxury.

2011 Kia Optima image gallery:

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Reviewing the 2010 Kia Rio – Introduction of the 2010 Kia Rio 5-door hatchback and Rio 4-door sedan.

The 2010 Rio is an improved version of Kia Motor’s well-known subcompact by revising its appearance and style, while improving its value, safety features and utility. The 2010 Kia Rio has been listed in the Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Car. It was also included in Edmunds.com’s list of “Editors” Most Wanted Sedan/Wagon Under $15,000″ and Forbes.com’s “Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for the Buck.”

Some of the car model’s modifications for 2010 are full body-color bumpers, a revised tabbed grille that matches Kia cars’ new look, black bezel headlamps, body-color side moldings and a stylish exposed exhaust outlet. One of the Rio and Rio5′s recent innovations is an EcoMinder indicator light for their automatic models that blinks when the vehicle has reached its peak fuel efficiency. This reminds drivers to always be fuel-efficient.

Based on 47 published reviews and test drives, the 2010 Kia Rio is ranked the 25th Most Affordable Small Cars. Topping the list of most affordable small cars are the 2010 Honda Fit, 2010 Honda Civic and 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The 2010 Kia Rio is just below 2010 Nissan Sentra and above 2010 Smart ForTwo and 2010 Toyota Yaris who are tied at 26th place.

Rio’s savvy style and affordability is very attractive to buyers and reviewers but its bare-bones cabin and uncomfortable seat arrangement are why it has not ranked any higher in the reviews.

Yet, it remains attractive to buyers who are planning to economize for its long warranty and excellent fuel economy ranking. The Most Affordable Small Cars survey gave the Rio an overall score of 7.5. The breakdown is as follows: performance – 7.0; Exterior – 8.4; Interior – 7.3; Safety – 8.4; and Reliability – 6.0.

Inside the 2010 Kia Rio:

The Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC, 4-cylinder CVVT engine that is capable of producing 110 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. This is a spunky, powerful engine that is also notably fuel efficient. The Rio and Rio5 (five-door) both come in LX and SX trims and are equipped either with a 5-speed manual transmission or an electric controlled 4-speed automatic transmission. Rio and Rio5 are more powerful than its closest competition the Toyota Yaris and Chevrolet Aveo.

To achieve driving comfort and enjoyment, its fully adjustable driver’s seat comes with a fold-down armrest. The 2010 Rio can also be equipped with a SIRIUS Satellite audio (AM/FM/CD/MP3) system. Its center console has USB and auxiliary input jacks. For passenger comfort, a stack tray is placed at the center and on the passenger seat is a mesh seatback pocket.

Meanwhile, the LX series provides air conditioning, Bluetooth with hands-free connectivity, adjustable rear seat headrests, and 60/40-split folding rear seats. On the other hand, the stylish SX features additional attractive sport seat and door trim, metal-finished trim, steering wheel wrapped in leather, and rubberized inserts for the shift knob and metal pedals.

Both the Value Package LX models and SX series have cruise control, power door locks with keyless remote, power windows, outside mirrors with turn signals, tweeter speakers and audio and cruise controls mounted on the steering wheel.

Outside the 2010 Kia Rio

The fun-looking 2010 Rio is fitted with standard 14-inch wheels and 185/65R14 tires. Another option are 15-inch wheels with 205/55R15 tires (LX models), and 16-inch alloys with 205/45R16-sized tires (SX models).

As for all other Kia cars, the 2010 Rio has tab-shaped grille, black bezel headlamps, full body-color bumpers, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, door handles and sleek side moldings. The SX series may be upgraded to include fog lamps, an exposed exhaust outlet and a rear spoiler.

Above all, the 2010 Kia Rio, as all other Kia vehicles, boasts of a number of safety technology measures, which include airbags, headrests, door beams, steering column, front and rear crumple zones, three-point seatbelts, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and an Antilock Brake System (ABS).