Kia Motors History: Founding, Timeline, And Milestones - Zippia

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Kia Motors company history timeline

2 Kia Motors jobs1992

One development was its 1992 introduction of the Sephia, a compact four-door sedan, to the domestic market.

In 1992, Kia opened its first car dealership in the United States of America.

In 1992, Kia Motors America was incorporated in the United States.

In 1992, Kia Motors America found a niche in the US. Initially, Kia Motors America sold vehicles through four dealerships in Portland.

In addition to the core Korea market, Kia exports vehicles to Europe, North America, and several Asian countries. It entered the world's largest potential market, the United States, in 1992 with the formation of subsidiary Kia Motors America.

1993

By the time Kia entered the United States with its own nameplate in 1993, it was already selling its cars in about 80 foreign countries and building a total of more than 500,000 cars annually.

1994

The introduction was well-timed because car sales in many regions were booming in 1994.

In 1994 Kia's diversified operations generated about $6.8 billion in revenues.

Dealers in 1994 sold the Sephia, and a few years later the United States line expanded with the addition of the Sportage.

The first Kia vehicles to bear the Kia nameplate began selling in the United States, originally just in the Pacific Northwest, in 1994.

1995

By 1995, the manufacturer had built over 100 dealerships all across the United States, selling over 24,000 vehicles in the meantime.

By the end of 1995, there were 100-plus Kia dealerships in the country that sold almost 25,000 cars.

1997

By July 1997, Kia was $5.7 billion in debt and had experienced negative net income for three years in a row.

The same fate didn’t last long and Kia became bankrupt in 1997 following the Asian Financial Crisis.

1998

In 1998, the manufacturer reached an agreement with Hyundai Motor Company to exchange ownership between both companies.

1999

By July 1999 Kia reported rebounding sales with an expected net profit of $655 million by the end of the year.

South Korea's domestic auto market declined by 50 percent and exports were growing by only two percent in 1999.

Yet, by 1999 Hyundai had actually eliminated only four subsidiaries and had sold eight.

2003

Since 2003, Kia’s product range in Europe has expanded from covering just 35% of market segments to more than 80% today.

2006

In October 2006, Kia Motors America broke ground for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in West Point, Georgia, representing a $1 billion USD investment for the company.

However, in 2006, Kia Motors decided to focus on core design which is the hardcore future of growth engine.

The facility, which produced its first car – the cee’d – at the end of 2006, is capable of manufacturing more than 300,000 cars annually.

In 2006, the company hired Peter Schreyer as a chief design officer.

2009

In November 2009, the very first Kia Motors plant of America was set up in West Point.

2010

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia opened in February 2010, after Kia recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased United States market share.”

2012

2012 year 10month Kia Motors ranks 87th in Interbrand's list of 100 Best Global Brands

2013

After the restyling and redesigning, Kia Motors have won the International Car of the Year award every year since 2013.

2013 year 12month Kia's social contribution website opens.

2014

Received 2014 Korea Color Award for the all new Sedona and all new Sorento.

9month Officially sponsored the 2014 Busan International Film Festival.

2015

2month Received 2015 iF Award for Sorento.

1month Became the official sponsor of the Australia Open Tennis Championships 2015.

2016

Kia at the 2016 Paris Motor Show Kia Unveils its Biggest European Dealership – in London Kia Officially Opens Mexico Production Facility

In 2016, Kia Motor's reliability was ranked number one in the United States by JD Power.

2017

4month Kia Motors and Total renew partnership 2017 Kia Sportage Receives Top Safety Pick Plus Rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Kia Motors returns to Mom 2.0 Summit for second straight year

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Kia Motors competitors

Company name	Founded date	Revenue	Employee size	Job openings
Allen Samuels Holdings	1982	$11.0M	25	4
Mitsubishi Motors	1981	$1.5B	2,000	16
Don Davis Auto Group	1979	$370.0M	865	16
Subaru	1968	$4.1B	5,900	155
Clay Cooley Motors	-	$30.0M	262	69
Mac Haik Enterprises	1974	$200.0M	720	17
Mazda	1920	$10.0B	20,000	73
Mahar	1947	$8.5M	300	-
Midway Auto Center	-	-	-	4
Carolina Auto Auction	1990	$7.4M	20	14

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Kia Motors highest paying jobs

• Senior Software Engineer
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Updated July 21, 2023

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Kia Motors may also be known as or be related to Kia Motors, Kia Motors America, Kia Motors America Inc, Kia Motors America, Inc. and Kia Motors Corporation,.