The History of Kia

Kia Motors Corporation is South Korea’s 2nd largest car manufacturer after its parent company Hyundai.

The name Kia comes from the Sino-Korean Word Ki which means “to come out” and a which stands for “Asia.” Translated it means to “Arise or Come Up Out of Asia.”

Kia was founded on 9th June 1944 but didn’t start producing cars until 1974, it opened its first automobile assembly palnt in Sohari Plant, in 1973. Production of cars took a break from 1981 to 1986 due to the then Military Dicator, Chun Doo-hwan, but when it resumed over 90,000 vehicles were built in partnership with Ford.

Kia declared bankruptcy in 1997, and 51% of this was acquired by Hyundai Motor Company.

Over the years, Kia’s range of cars has grown and the quality of their products is more or less now on par with European manufacturers.

For more information on the Kia range, please visit their website: Kia Car Range