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HISTORY
70 years of progress and innovation

History of kia

  • 2010
    • 3 Mar

      Kia's new midsize sedan Optima is unveiled along with several key new technologies.

      The Venga receives the red dot Design Award.

      The Sportage R, a progressive urban CUV, is launched.

    • 2 Feb

      Kia's Georgia Plant opens.

  • 2009
    • 12 Dec

      The Venga, a strategic model for Europe, receives the iF Design Award.

    • 11 Nov

      The sub full-size luxury Cadenza sedan is launched.

    • 10 Oct

      Kia Tigers become champions of the Korea Baseball League.

    • 4 Apr

      The Sorento R, a premium sub full size SUV, is launched.

    • 3 Mar

      The Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design Award.

      Kia Soul and Kia Borrego make Kelly Blue Book's weekly '5 Great Deals' list at KBB.com in the U.S.

  • 2008
    • 11 Nov

      Kia Motors is named Car Company of the Year by Autocar.

      Kia receives the Presidential Award for exceptional design management.

    • 9 Sep

      The Soul, a new concept CUV, is launched.

    • 8 Aug

      The Forte, a luxury midsize sedan, is launched.

    • 6 Jun

      Kia Motors America opens its new corporate HQ and design center.

      The Lotze Innovation is launched.

    • 4 Apr

      The cee'd becomes Korea's first car to receive international environmental validation.

    • 3 Mar

      Car Book recommends Kia cars as Best Bets.

    • 1 Jan

      The premium SUV Borrego is launched.

  • 2007
    • 12 Dec

      Kia's second China Plant opens.

    • 4 Apr

      Kia's Slovakia Plant opens.

  • 2006
    • 11 Nov

      Kia is named the winner of Environmental Management Award.

    • 10 Oct

      Construction commences at Kia's Georgia Plant.

    • 9 Sep

      The cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris Motor Show.

      Design-led management is declared.

    • 6 Jun

      The Rio takes first place in J.D. Power's quality ranking in the sub-compact category.

    • 1 Jan

      The New Sedona is launched.

  • 2005
    • 7 Jul

      The Grand Sedona is launched.

    • 4 Apr

      The New Rio is launched.

    • 3 Mar

      Kia's cumulative exports exceed 5 million units.

  • 2004
    • 12 Dec

      The Sportage receives the Korea Color Design Award.

    • 11 Nov

      Kia receives the 7 Billion Export Tower Award.

    • 10 Oct

      The Hwaseong Plant becomes the first local plant producing passenger cars to receive OHSMS certification.

    • 8 Aug

      Kia ranks first in the Korea Service Quality Index.

      The New Sportage is launched.

    • 5 May

      Kia signs investment agreement for its second plant in China.

    • 4 Apr

      Construction on Kia's Slovakia Plant commences.

  • 2003
    • 12 Dec

      Annual exports of assembled cars exceed 500,000 units.

    • 11 Nov

      The Cerato is launched.

    • 6 Jun

      An initiative to pursue environment-friendly operations globally is declared.

    • 5 May

      Kia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute (Namyang R&D Center) opens.

    • 3 Mar

      Cumulative U.S. sales exceed 1 million units.

      The full size Amanti sedan is launched.

  • 2002
    • 4 Apr

      Total Cumulative production exceeds 10 million units.

    • 3 Mar

      The Sorento is launched.

  • 2001
    • 11 Nov

      Kia receives the Korea Quality Award.

    • 8 Aug

      Kia Tigers professional baseball team is founded.

    • 5 May

      The Sedona sets foot in the U.S. market for the first time.