Straightline
Kia
August 22, 2008


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The new Kia Forte appears to have success written all over it, that's assuming the car performs as good as it looks.
The car will be powered by two 1.6L engines, one gas the other diesel. The oil-burner is the more powerful in that it puts out 128 horsepower, and the gas model offers up 121 horsepower. A 2.0 engine will be offered later.
Full story here and here.
Here's Inside Line's take: Kia Unveils 2009 Forte in Korea
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 22, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Kia, Sedans
August 8, 2008
The Asian "Davids" of the auto industry are showing their stuff as the "Goliaths" stumble in this new automotive world.
Hyundai, Kia, Subaru and Suzuki are all showing gains in sales (and market share) in these tough times. A lot of it is luck (as in timing), but also in having the right products at the right time--and they are are not saddled with a large percentage of huge profit-sucking vehicles in their product portfolio.
Yeah, Subaru has the Tribeca, which is still hurting them despite the refresh from a year ago. Even so, their market share is up from about 1 percent or so to about 1.52 percent. Still not huge by any means, but it is certainly heading in the right direction. Their all-new Impreza and Forester models are selling at a record rate. Hyundai's market share is now up to 4.22 percent, Kia is at 2.39 percent, and Suzuki is at 0.83 percent; all records for each of these brands.
Here's AutoObserver's take: Down Market Equals New Records for Second-Tier Asian Automakers
More good news is expected for Subaru in future months as the much-needed refresh of the '09 WRX is getting good initial reviews on the Subaru fan sites (unlike last year when the car debuted). Better news still is the '09 WRX price will begin close to that of the '08 model.
Here's Inside Line's take: 2009 Subaru WRX Priced Below $25,000
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 8, 2008, 7:11 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Suzuki, Trends
July 7, 2008

More evidence of the world-wide popularity of the Korean auto giant Hyundai-Kia, as they passed Honda in global sales in 2007. Hyundai-Kia is now ranked fifth in terms, which is previously the rank Honda held.
The Korean automaker was ranked 11th place in 1999, but moved up to 5th place in 2007 by out-selling rivals such as Honda, Nissan, PSA / Peugeot, Chrysler and Fiat.
Now Hyundai-Kia's global sales for 2007 were 3,961,629, whereas Honda sold 3,831,000 vehicles. Hyundai-Kia has shot up six places in just eight years, according to Automotive News' 2008 Global Data Book.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 7, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Chrysler, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Peugeot, Trends
May 8, 2008
Bad news for Kia and truck fans. Mike Levine of PickupTruck.com is reporting (via a conversation with Jalopnik editor, Ray Wert) that the Kia pickup is not going to happen.
Apparently this cancellation is a victim of the high gas prices, and the effect that is having upon the light truck market. The truck was to built in Georgia...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland May 8, 2008, 6:29 AM
- Categories: Kia
March 20, 2008

Lightly refreshed for the 2009 model year, the Kia Optima was the other Kia off to the side at this morning's unveiling of the Koup concept.
"If there's a poster child for the old school of Kia, it's got to be the Kia Optima," Communications Director Alex Fedorak admitted. "But as Edmunds.com put it, 'When it comes to design, the Optima looks like it was styled by the witness protection program.'" (Credit for this now famous turn of phrase goes to Edmunds Automotive Editor James Riswick.)
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- Posted by: Erin Riches March 20, 2008, 11:15 AM
- Categories: Kia, New York Auto Show, Sedans

Kia wants to be the sporty half of the Hyundai-Kia alliance, but that just hasn't come through in any of the brand's production cars. That might change if the Kia Koup concept goes into production, and it almost certainly will: "This is a production-ready design that could find its way into the Kia lineup and perhaps sooner than one might think," said Tom Kearns, chief designer for Kia Motors America (and owner of a '71 Porsche 911 S). When we do see it, expect "Spectra" to be part of its name, as the Koup is built on the company's front-drive, C-segment platform.

It comes straight out of Kia's new Irvine design studio, so it's no surprise to see styling cues borrowed from cars like the Honda Civic coupe and Scion tC. There's also some early '80s Lotus Esprit in there, as the lead designer, Kurt Kahl, bought one just before starting in on this 10-month project. The very angular look of the wedge-shaped coupe is quite intentional. As Hyundai goes for more organic designs (i.e., Genesis coupe), Kia will use harder lines to differentiate itself.
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- Posted by: Erin Riches March 20, 2008, 8:23 AM
- Categories: Coupes, Kia, New York Auto Show
March 18, 2008
A while back there were some rumblings about a possible Kia pickup. Now PickupTruck.com (here) has some more info on this vehicle.
Apparently it will be based on the next generation Kia Sorento, which will move to a FWD-based unibody. So it sounds like Kia is following the Honda Pilot/Ridgeline formula here...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 18, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Honda, Kia, Trucks
January 13, 2008

During the Detroit press conference for the 2009 Kia Borrego, Len Hunt, CEO of Kia Motors of America, noted, "The front end of the Borrego conveys strength and toughness -- like a fist in the wind." That gave rise to an odd mental image in our IL brain, but maybe it was a reference to Detroit's Joe Louis monument.
Like nearly every other vehicle introduced today in Detroit, the Borrego will be getting "clean diesel" in the near future. Hunt didn't give any details on timing but said that it would happen during the SUV's initial model cycle. Until then, the Kia Borrego will use a 3.8-liter V6 and a 4.6-liter V8.

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- Posted by: Erin Riches January 13, 2008, 4:54 PM
- Categories: Detroit Auto Show, Kia, SUVs
January 5, 2008

Kia has just introduced the Mohave SUV in Korea. We will see it here next week, but badged as the Borrego, at the Detroit Auto Show. Straightline did a blog entry a bit earlier on this vehicle (2009 Kia Mohave (Borrego) undressed). The general specs look to point this vehicle squarely at the Explorer and Pathfinder, as it will come Stateside as a 7-passenger model with either a 3.8L V6 or a 4.6L V8, hooked up to a 6-speed automatic...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland January 5, 2008, 5:00 AM
- Categories: Kia, SUVs
November 15, 2007

Something funny happened on the way to the auto show...well, not so funny if you're Kia.
En route to the LA show the Kia Kee concept smashed its face inside the car carrier, leaving the Kia KND-4 concept as the solo North American debut. The compact SUV concept made its worldwide debut at the Seoul auto show in April.

Newly promoted Kia president and CEO Len Hunt says the KND-4 is "a vital vehicle because it showcases dynamic and sophisticated styling cues that are strongly indicative of future Kia SUV models."
The KND-4 is powered by a 2.2-liter Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) diesel engine with Kia's Active Torque Transfer (ATT) system...
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- Posted by: Kelly Toepke November 15, 2007, 12:27 PM
- Categories: Kia, LA Auto Show, SUVs
November 9, 2007

Poor Kia has just given real meaning to the phrase "damage control," as their new Kee concept was damaged on the way to its North American debut at the LA auto show. The vehicle somehow worked its way loose of its cargo restraints inside the car transporter, and, well, was... damaged.
So, it's back to Italy to fix its broken nose, and thus will be M.I.A...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland November 9, 2007, 12:09 PM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Kia, LA Auto Show
November 7, 2007

The new Kia Borrego will debut at the Detroit auto show in January. Not much info has been released yet, other than it will be a body-on-frame 7-passenger SUV, and will be powered by either a V6 or a first-ever (for Kia) V8. With the V8, it should tow like a Peterbilt; well, maybe not quite like a "Big Pete," but pretty darn good, nonetheless. The Borrego is expected to go on sale early next summer as a 2009 model...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland November 7, 2007, 5:00 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Detroit Auto Show, Kia, SUVs
October 24, 2007

While it's several months out, and we still have Tokyo, SEMA and the LA shows to do, the folks running the Detroit show have let loose with some teaser info regarding this January event.
From the NAIAS October newsletter:
Ford will unveil a new small concept vehicle for the U.S. market that will share the underbody with a concept that Ford unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Ford Verve (rendering pictured above), revealed in Frankfurt, is a crossover vehicle carried on a small B-segment platform...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland October 24, 2007, 4:00 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Detroit Auto Show, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki
September 11, 2007

Kia unveiled a design concept here that will set the tone for future styling from the Korean automaker. The lime green Kia Kee sport coupe is marked by uncluttered body panels that exude a simplicity rarely seen in automotive design. The front is a bit busier with an LED strip that arches from the headlight to the lower fascia. In place of the overly used quarter-panel vent, Kia has left a small accent crease...
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September 4, 2007

Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) today launched its official global blog, Kia BUZZ (here), to bring it closer to its customers, industry opinion leaders and car enthusiasts through online dialogue with a wide range of Kia experts from across the organization.
With approximately 80% of Kia’s sales taking place in overseas markets, the blog will cater to an international audience by delivering all content in English, and it is the first of its kind by a Korean company. The site will carry the views of a broad range of Kia employees from departments including design production, environmental management, product planning, marketing, after sales service as well as contributions from top level management. It will feature discussions on a number of topics about the company – its products, industry trends and upcoming events.
“The Kia BUZZ blog will open up previously untapped direct lines of communication between our company, our customers and our partners throughout the world,” said Mr. Yong-Mo Ahn, Executive Vice-President, Overseas Marketing Division...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 4, 2007, 6:29 AM
- Categories: Kia, Trends
August 29, 2007

We bid a fond farewell to our long-term Kia Sedona EX after 25,000 miles and a year of hard labor.
Boy, did we use that car in all of its seating configurations. It helped us move, picked up furniture we were too cheap to have delivered, carted around kids, withstood cookie crumbs and soda spills.
The Sedona was a very practical vehicle and will be missed...
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa August 29, 2007, 12:27 PM
- Categories: Kia, Minivans
August 21, 2007

We knew it was coming, but these are the first spy photos of an actual prototype for the 2009 Kia Soul. Looking much like it did in concept form at last year's Detroit auto show, the production Soul should give the Kia lineup a much needed boost in the styling department. Small four-cylinder engines will provide the power, so don't expect any serious speed from this sleek looking hatchback. Expect to see the production model debut early next year with sales beginning in the fall of 2008...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig August 21, 2007, 11:03 AM
- Categories: Future Vehicles, Hatchbacks, Kia
August 15, 2007

Kia released a teaser image of their upcoming 2+2 Sport Coupe concept, which will debut at the Frankfurt auto show next month.
Designed in Europe, under the guidance of Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the all-new 2+2 Sports Coupe Concept, whose name remains a secret at present, will demonstrate an uncluttered, pure and timeless execution and represents a new design ethos for the Korean automotive company.
The new Sports Coupe Concept is a clear and emphatic statement that the future of the Kia brand is set to be one that will excite and surprise an entirely new audience of consumers, commented Peter Schreyer. In making this design departure for Kia it was essential to my thinking that we did not lose sight of the fact that the Kia brand must continue to appeal to customers in the mainstream. It would have been easy to present an extreme supercar at Frankfurt that would attract plenty of attention, but could have no place in Kia's future...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 15, 2007, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Kia
August 10, 2007

There have already been teaser shots of the 2009 Kia Mesa, but these latest spy photos from Death Valley reveal even more of the big SUV. There's nothing very dramatic about the styling, which is a shame as we really liked the Mesa concept from a couple years ago. One important piece of hardware worth noting is the independent rear suspension. It should open up plenty of space in the back of this three-row SUV giving it true seven- or even eight-passenger capacity...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig August 10, 2007, 11:30 AM
- Categories: Future Vehicles, Kia, SUVs, Spy Photos
August 8, 2007

You might accuse Kia of being overly cute with the "Pro-cee'd" name and its trick spelling, but I kinda like it. I also like what I see so far here of the car, which admittedly isn't much.
The 3-door hatch will be built in Slovakia, and sold in Europe. Hmmm....
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 8, 2007, 4:00 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Frankfurt Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Kia
July 24, 2007

Teaser images of the 2009 Kia Mesa can be found over at Carscoop. It appears to be very close to the concept (bottom image on Carscoop site) that was shown, and that was a handsome vehicle.
This is a vehicle to watch, as there are a number of unanswered questions, a couple of which are: Is this just another good looking full-size SUV, but with rather bad market timing? Do we really need another SUV like this?..
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 24, 2007, 6:21 AM
- Categories: Future Vehicles, Kia, SUVs
June 6, 2007

Finally some good news for Ford as the Mustang, Lincoln MKZ and the Mercury Milan all get top scores from the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. Other winners are the Porsche Boxster and Kia Rio.
Specifically the winners of those listed are:
Compact Premium Sportycar: The 2007 Porsche Boxster
Midsize Sporty Car: The 2007 Ford Mustang
Midsize Car: The 2007 Mercury Milan which beat out such competitors as the Honda Accord and Mitsubishi Galant
Entry Premium Car: The 2007 Lincoln MKZ, which was ahead of the Acura TSX and the Cadillac CTS
Subcompact Car: The Kia Rio
Power noted that 14 Ford models placed in the top three of the respective segments...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland June 6, 2007, 1:22 PM
- Categories: Ford, Kia, Lincoln, Mercury, Porsche, Trends
May 9, 2007
Interested in what Kia's up to?
If so stop by Edmunds tonight at 6-7 pm PT, 9-10 pm ET, and put your questions to Kia's Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer, Len Hunt.
As anyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows, Kia has been making huge strides forward here in the USA, and Hunt has played a big part in their success. So this is your chance to get the inside scoop as to what Kia may be planning for down the road...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland May 9, 2007, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Kia
April 9, 2007
Last week Inside Line and Straightline did stories on the rumored upcoming Hyundai pickup (Hyundai is considering a pickup for the American market). Now I've found another story on this truck over at PickupTruck.com. In addition, there's now news that Kia too, may also be planning a pickup.
Full story here on both trucks (Kia on page 1, and the Hyundai on page 2)...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland April 9, 2007, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Hyundai, Kia, Trends, Trucks
April 5, 2007

Big news from Kia today was limited to a production announcement for the 2009 Kia Soul crossover. Kia first unveiled the concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show in silver paint, and it showed up in New York dressed in Storm Trooper white.

Still no full spec list available, although Kia has confirmed it'll be front-wheel drive with a 2.0-liter inline-4 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Inside, the five-passenger Soul gets a standard list of amenities and flat-folding rear seats to maximize cargo volume...
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- Posted by: Kelly Toepke April 5, 2007, 10:30 AM
- Categories: Kia, New York Auto Show
February 8, 2007

At the last newsworthy press conference of the day, Kia breathed some life into the Chicago show with its light-hearted unveiling of the Kia Rondo SX concept car. The Rondo's new marketing campaign includes a rainbow of singers belting out "Let the Sun Shine In," and that same cheery group made a live appearance on stage this morning.

The Rondo SX concept is based on the all-new Kia Rondo which went on sale in December 2006. Compared to the standard Rondo, the SX gets more aggressive front and rear fascias, a dramatic new grille and 18-inch cast-alloy wheels with 235/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires...
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- Posted by: Kelly Toepke February 8, 2007, 10:54 AM
- Categories: Chicago Auto Show, Kia
January 21, 2007

Hard to tell if these recent spy photos are really the 2009 Kia Mesa or not, but now that the Hyundai Veracruz has been unveiled it's not much of a stretch to think Kia would want a three row SUV of its own. You can see a few styling cues from the Mesa concept in this prototype like its broad grille and boxy shape. Those six-spoke wheels also look straight out of the Kia/Hyundai parts bin. With the Veracruz scheduled to go on sale later this year, expect to see the Kia version hit the streets about a year later.
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig January 21, 2007, 12:24 PM
- Categories: Future Vehicles, Kia, SUVs, Spy Photos
January 8, 2007
Kia gets Soul
Improbably, Kia announced today at its press conference that it would produce the Soul, a boxy little sport-ute/people carrier. The Soul concept was unveiled at last year's Detroit auto show. The production model, which will remain faithful to the concept's style according to Kia, will go on sale in 2008. -- Daniel Pund
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund January 8, 2007, 3:08 PM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Detroit Auto Show, Kia

Und now is the time at Kia ven ve dance.
With a new design center nearing construction in Irvine, California, and a new global design chief in former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, Kia is feeling pretty designer-y. So it should come as no surprise that Kia is saying that unique design will be their way forward (if Ford will excuse the use of its catchphrase). Proof of this came in two forms:

1...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund January 8, 2007, 1:09 PM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Detroit Auto Show, Kia
November 30, 2006

Kia also showed us the 2007 Kia Amanti. The body has had a mild, and welcome face lift, but there is really much more going on than that.
The old, and heavy, 3.5-liter Mitsubishi-derived engine is gone, replaced by a 3.8-liter aluminum V6 that puts out 264 horsepower, a 32% increase over last year. New suspension and 17-inch tires and wheels - up from 16-inchers - reportedly help handling and ride...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds November 30, 2006, 4:47 PM
- Categories: Kia, LA Auto Show, Sedans

We saw the shortened Kia Sedona earlier this year in Paris, and so were not surprised to see it here on the Kia stand here at the LA Auto Show.
While the wheelbase is just over 5 inches shorter, overall length shrinks by over 12 inches due to additional trimming to the rear overhang.

Unlike the one we saw in Paris, the shorty Sedona shown in LA had center-row captain's chairs and 7-passenger seating capacity. Because of the all the shortening, the third-row seat no longer folds into the floor. It goes on sale in January, alongside the current Sedona, which we now have to refer to as the long wheelbase version. - Dan Edmunds
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds November 30, 2006, 4:33 PM
- Categories: Kia, LA Auto Show, Minivans
November 21, 2006
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2007 Top Safety Picks have been announced. Thirteen cars and trucks from foreign brands won "Top Safety Pick" honors for 2007 models from the IIHS, including seven varieties of SUVs. More info can be found here.
Top safety picks
Large car
Audi A6
Midsize cars
Audi A4 , Saab 9-3, Subaru Legacy
Minivans
Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona
Luxury SUVs
Mercedes M Class, Volvo XC90
Midsize SUVs
Acura RDX, Honda Pilot, Subaru B9 Tribeca
Small SUVs
Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester