Kia unveils new logo and brand philosophy – Movement that Inspires
Kia loses the word ‘Motors’, re-branding simply as Kia
Kia achieves highest ever European market share of 4.3%
Kia unveils its new Design Philosophy formed of five pillars: Bold for Nature, Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, and Tension for Serenity
Kia’s European factory in Žilina, Slovakia, passes 4 million-production milestone
Kia launches first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6 – based on the new Electric-Global Modular Platform
Kia launches its all-new Sportage SUV, for the first time exclusively design for Europe
Kia reveals the all-new Niro for its world debut at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show
Kia displays its next all-electric SUV, Concept EV9 – a manifestation of its vision as a sustainable mobility solution provider – at AutoMobility LA
2020
Kia reveals the fourth-generation Sorento
Kia electrifies the popular Ceed line-up for the first time, with Plug-in Hybrid variants of the XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon
Kia announces Plan S, signalling a shift towards prioritising clean mobility solutions
2019
Kia Motors is the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for the fifth consecutive year
Kia launches new ‘GT’ versions of the Ceed and ProCeed, as well as the new XCeed
The Imagine by Kia Concept is revealed
Kia launches the third-generation Soul – sold exclusively in Europe with a long-range, fully-electric powertrain
2018
Kia launches the Niro EV
Kia’s 3 millionth car is built at its facility in Žilina, Slovakia
Kia has its 10th year of consecutive sales growth in Europe – unrivalled by any other manufacturer
Kia Motors is the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for the fourth consecutive year
CES 2019: Kia prepares for post-autonomous driving era with AI-based real-time emotion recognition technology
2017
Kia unveils Proceed Concept
Kia launches the Stinger
New third-generation Picanto launched with GT-Line and X-Line
Kia launches the Rio, and the Stonic, the brand’s first car in the compact crossover segment
2016
Kia Motors tops J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for the first time
2017 Kia Niro Sets Guinness World Records™ Title for Lowest Fuel Consumption By A Hybrid Vehicle
Kia launches the Optima Sportswagon, exclusive to Europe
Kia launches its first dedicated hybrid model – the Niro
2015
Kia Motors earns best-ever ranking in 2015 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
Kia shows SPORTSPACE Concept at the Geneva International Motor Show
Kia launches the third-generation Optima and the fourth-generation Sportage
2014
The Soul EV is launched – Kia’s first electric vehicle to go on sale globally
Kia reveals GT4 Stinger concept
Kia showcases a mild hybrid concept car called the Optima T-Hybrid
2013
Kia wins four prestigious Red Dot Design Awards for the pro_cee’d, cee'd five-door, cee'd Sportswagon and Carens MPV
Kia Motors is named 37th in Interbrand's list of 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013
Kia's accumulated overseas sales exceed 50 million units
2012
Kia Motors enters Interbrand's list of 100 Best Global Brands
Kia reveals the Soul-based Track’ster Concept
Kia launches the second-generation Cee’d, as well as the Cee’d GT and Pro_cee’d GT – Kia’s first ‘GT’ cars
2011
GT Concept launched at Frankfurt Motor Show
Kia launches the second-generation Picanto and third-generation Rio
2010
The 7-year warranty is extended to all Kia cars in Europe
Kia's Georgia Plant opens in the United States of America
Kia's third-generation Optima sedan is unveiled along with several key new technologies
Kia launches the second generation of the Sorento and third generation of the Sportage
2009
The Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design Award
Kia launches the Venga, a strategic model for Europe and the third car to be built at Kia’s Žilina, Slovakia production plant
The Venga receives the iF Design Award
2008
The first-generation Soul is launched
Kia shows two new hybrid concept cars at the Paris Motor Show, based on the new Soul and cee'd, with a 1.6-litre gasoline engine paired with a 15 kW electric motor
2007
Kia’s second Chinese plant opens
Kia Motors Europe moves from Eschborn to a purpose-built facility in the centre of Frankfurt, Germany
Kia ‘Kee’ is displayed at Frankfurt motor show. Introduces Kia’s ‘Tiger nose’ grille
2006
The Rio takes first place in J.D. Power's quality ranking in the sub-compact category
The cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris Motor Show
Kia’s Žilina plant in Slovakia opens
Earlier highlights
2004 – Kia produces the first-generation Kia Picanto
2004 – Construction on Kia's Slovakia Plant commences
2003 – Kia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute opens in Namyang, South Korea
2002 – Total cumulative production exceeds 10 million units
2000 – Kia launches the Optima
1998 – Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors merge
1996 – The Elan, Korea's first authentic sport car, is launched
1993 – The Kia Sportage is launched and completes the Paris-Dakar rally
1992 – The Sephia, Kia's first independently-developed passenger car, starts production. Kia Motors America incorporated in the United States
1987 – The Pride is Kia’s first car to be sold in America. The value of Kia’s total exports exceeds $100 million for the first time
1974 – Kia’s first passenger car, the Brisa, is unveiled
1952 – The Samchully, Korea’s first bicycle, is unveiled. The company changes its name to Kia Industries
1944 – Kia founded as Kyungsung Precision Industry, making steel tubing and bicycle parts
