Kia is Georgia's Large Manufacturer Of The Year

Last week, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal named Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) as the state of Georgia's large manufacturer of the year at the annual Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week awards luncheon. The award was presented to Mr. Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and KMMG, Inc., on behalf of the plant's more than 3,000 team members.

 

Ahn thanked Deal for the prestigious award and noted the importance of the state of Georgia's role in Kia's success during his speech to the 1,200 attendees at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta.

"I want to thank you, Governor Deal, and also Quick Start and the Technical College System of Georgia for this great honor," said Ahn. "We would not be in this position for achievement without the unyielding support of the State of Georgia, the Department of Economic Development, and in particular, Georgia Quick Start, which has been our partner in workforce training from the very beginning."

Ahn also credited the outstanding team members who "work enthusiastically each and every day to build world-class, high quality vehicles."

"We have developed the 'Kia Way' to define the workplace culture and establish a 'one system/one team' approach at our facility," said Ahn. "The Kia Way is built on trust, mutual respect and open communication among all team members to ensure continuous improvement, and in our view, is a key element of the market success of Kia and KMMG."

Deal congratulated KMMG for being the 2012 large manufacturer of the year and said the state looks forward to many more years working together as successful partners.

"Kia's West Point, Ga., plant is a shining example of Georgia's commitment to supporting new industries in our state and how that continued commitment allows companies like Kia to prosper and grow," Deal said after the award presentation. "Kia has continued to invest in our state and has delivered a tremendously positive impact in this region. I am so proud to be presenting this outstanding company with the large manufacturer of the year award today."

Deal was joined by Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson at the luncheon, which marks the culmination of Manufacturing Appreciation Week. The event was co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Visit Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey for the best pricing on a new Kia or used car. Our state of the art Kia certified service department is well equipped to handle all your auto repair and maintenance needs.

2012 KIA RIO NAMED TO BEST CARS FOR TEENS LIST BY VROOBGIRLS.COM

Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey is please to inform it's readers that the award-winning Kia Rio has been honored once again, this time as one of the "Six Best New Cars for your Teenager" by Vroomgirls.com – the first comprehensive automotive website created by and for women. The site hailed the Rio for its modern styling, high fuel economy and exceptional overall value. Also highlighted was the subcompact's abundance of standard amenities, including USB connectivity and steering-wheel controls, while Rio's impressive warranty and available navigation system received nods as well.

 

"Rio being recognized as one of the 'Six Best New Cars for your Teenager' by Vroomgirls.com further validates all of the virtues which have made it popular with both parents and young drivers," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "Excelling in design, fuel economy, value and driving enjoyment makes the Rio a truly well-rounded choice in the competitive subcompact segment."

 

Editors from Vroomgirls.com evaluated a number of vehicles based on several main parental-focused criteria, including safety, reliability and value, but also considered factors important to teenage drivers such as user-content, fun-to-drive character and styling. Vroomgirls.com selected the vehicles that offer the best combination of all these characteristics keeping in mind the demand of today's youth.

 

"Parents want a safe, reliable car for their kids, but teens only care about what's cool," said Tara Weingarten, Vroomgirls.com editor-in-chief. "The 2012 Kia Rio checks both of those boxes."

 

To read Vroomgirl.com's "Six Best New Cars For Your Teenager," please visit http://www.vroomgirls.com/6-best-new-cars-for-your-teenager/ .

Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey is ideally located to serve all major areas in the tricounty. Visit the dealership for the best pricing on new Kia cars & SUVs in the region. Our full service dealership is equipped to efficiently handle all your automotive needs.

2012 KIA SORENTO NAMED TO "10 BEST FAMILY CARS OF 2012"

Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey is pleased to announce that the award-winning Kia Sorento is again in the limelight, this time being named to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com coveted "10 Best Family Cars of 2012" list. The ultra-popular CUV enjoys this accolade for a second year in a row. Lauded for its outstanding drivability, functionality, refinement and comfort, the Sorento has defined a number of milestones for Kia, including becoming the first model in the product line to surpass 100,000 sales in a single year as well as being Kia's first U.S.-built1 vehicle at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Ga.

 

"Sorento's achievement of being recognized as one of the '10 Best Family Cars of 2012' by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is a testament to its exceptional safety, comfort and feature content," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. "As Kia's best-selling vehicle, Sorento's low cost of ownership has resulted in strong consumer ratings, making it a favorite among family buyers."

Editors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com evaluated vehicles based on several main criteria important to family car buyers, including safety, child-friendliness, comfort, economy of operation – which factors fuel consumption, insurance premiums and repair costs – and resale value. The kbb.com editors selected the vehicles that offer the best combination of these characteristics and the highest overall value for everyday families.

 

Kbb.com editors underscored the Sorento's available three row seating capacity and highway fuel economy of 32 miles-per-gallon2 . "Good fuel economy is only part of the story," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "The Sorento starts under $24,000 and offers a voice-controlled infotainment system plus a great big panoramic moonroof."

For more information about kbb.com's "10 Best Family Cars of 2012," visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-best-family-cars-of-2012/ .

Kia Track'ster Concept

What happens when a dream becomes reality? In the case of the Kia Track'ster concept unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, car enthusiasts begin to salivate. Amid the driving rhythm of heavy-metal music, smoke and blinding lights, Kia Motors America (KMA) took the wraps off a performance-oriented three-door Soul coupe concept that hints at what could possibly be the future of Kia's wildly successful Soul.

"The idea was to make the Track'ster tough looking, like a bulldog," said Tom Kearns, chief designer for KMA. "But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people's conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be."

 

Mission accomplished

 

The bold attitude Kearns refers to starts with the eye-catching Whiteout and Inferno Orange paint scheme . While the white portrays complex layers and shades that contribute to dramatic depth, the orange is perfectly suited for racing. Kia's signature grille features an air intake slit and is trimmed in lightweight carbon fiber. Smoothly integrated head lights sweep back suggestively over the sculpted front-wheel arches. The deeply recessed lenses echo the trapezoid themes found throughout the Kia Track'ster concept and are accented with compelling LEDs. 

Most striking up front is the Kia Track'ster concept's lower intake grille. Flanked by immense LED driving lights with billet aluminum surrounds, the Track'ster is capable of swallowing prodigious amounts of air to keep the engine running cool even under the most grueling conditions . The lower valance, trimmed in carbon fiber and accented with Inferno Orange, rides just inches off the ground and lends to the car's menacing stance. 

The Kia Track'ster concept is not just another pretty face; it has a body to match. Sculpted surfaces seem to flow into each other naturally. The flanks are smooth but accented with well-defined wheel enclosures. 

Tucked beneath the Track'ster's hips are custom HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels that were a joint effort of Kia's California design team and HRE. The wheels are wrapped in 245/40-19-inch front and massive 285/35-19-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tires. The wheelbase on the concept is stretched to 101.2 inches, almost an inch longer than the production Soul. As expected on a car with the Track'ster's performance intentions, large 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes are embraced by six-piston calipers in front and 13.6-inch discs are paired with four-piston calipers at the rear.

 

2012 Kia Soul fans will instantly recognize the Kia Track'ster's angled roof, accented with Inferno Orange. Closer inspection reveals this concept, while Soul inspired, is missing the production car's rear doors. The front doors have been lengthened and adorned with smooth billet push-style handles which echo the racing-inspired billet fuel filler door. Carbon fiber lower side valances are also accented in Inferno Orange and incorporate functional rear-brake cooling ducts. The back hatch incorporates a horizontal Inferno Orange "backpack" panel that accentuates the Track'ster's 75.5-inch width, which is more than 5-inches wider than a production Soul.

With performance as the top priority, the Kia Track'ster rolls into Chicago with a concept drivetrain sure to kick start any driving enthusiast's heart. KMA's design team dreamed big, but also kept their vision firmly rooted in reality . A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine pumps 250 horsepower to the pavement, a 66 percent increase over that of the production Soul. Power is routed to all four wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The short-throw six-speed manual transmission is capped with a stubby spherical shift lever. The Track'ster rides on a lowered sport suspension tuned for track performance.

 

Opening the driver's door reveals a light and airy interior highlighted with deeply bolstered Inferno Orange suede-covered racing seats. Granite Gray leather envelopes the interior landscape and imparts a feeling of strength and stability. Granite Gray suede wraps the sport steering wheel and door panels. Located deep within red-glowing nacelles, the primary instruments are large and easily readable. Auxiliary vehicle information such as oil temperature and battery voltage is found atop the dash panel while navigation, entertainment and HVAC controls are accessed through a large touch-screen panel located just above the engine Start/Stop push-button.

Behind the front seats is where the Kia Track'ster concept takes a significant step away from its Soul stable mate. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well. "We saw the Track'ster as a performance-inspired concept that could spend time on the road and racetrack," said Kearns. "The idea was to make the tools and equipment necessary to keep the car performing in top condition easily accessible." Large paneled bins stow racing gear such as helmets, suits, gloves and tools while emergency supplies are housed within a separate and highly visible Inferno Orange container. A custom rear strut brace incorporates a quick-release handle to allow for fast wheel changes.

While there are no current plans to produce the Track'ster, Kia's California design center team enthusiastically took on the project. "Concept cars are icing on the cake," said Kearns. "They allow KMA's design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question."

About Motion Kia -

Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey maintains a large inventory of all the popular Kia models including the Kia Soul, Kia Optima, Kia Rio & Kia Sorento. Visits our website to schedule a test drive or request a service appointment online.

2012 KIA RIO 5-DOOR-"SUBCOMPACT CAR OF THE YEAR"

Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey is please to announce that adding another feather to its cap, Kia Motors America's (KMA) all-new 2012 Kia Rio 5-door has been named one of the top five cars of the year by FAMA's "Mujeres Al Volante." FAMA is a leading modern lifestyle magazine in Spanish, and the Mujeres Al Volante awards honor vehicles that meet the priorities of U.S. Hispanic women when considering a new vehicle. The 2012 Kia Rio 5-door was recognized for its long list of standard safety features, modern amenities, outstanding fuel economy, strong family appeal and world-class design.

 

"The 'Subcompact of the Year' award for the all-new 2012 Kia Rio 5-door from Mujeres Al Volante is the latest example of the impact the Kia brand is having in the U.S. market with unprecedented growth and an exciting lineup of vehicles that deliver cutting-edge technology, eye-catching design and class-leading fuel economy," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia is one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.3 , and vehicles such as the Rio 5-door continue to raise awareness, perception and consideration for the brand by attracting new, style-conscious consumers to our showrooms."

 

The Kia Rio 5-door's innovative green technology and features also impressed the Mujeres Al Volante editors. In addition to being the first in the segment to offer the fuel-saving Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology (available later this year), the Rio 5-door's seat foam material is made from 100-percent biodegradable and non-toxic castor oil, which reduces the use of petroleum-based products. At the end of its lifespan, 85 percent of the all-new Rio's materials are recyclable.

 

"The Rio 5-door has exceeded our expectations, and we think it's in the top of its class when it comes to appealing to Hispanic women," said Ileana Muniz, editor-in-chief of FAMA's Autos Mujeres Al Volante. "On top of its outstanding design, the Rio 5-door handles well and is environmentally friendly with 40 MPG and ISG technology."

 

About the 2012 Kia Rio in Hackettstown, New Jersey

 

Before setting out to design the Rio, designers did their research. Months of market research and passenger preference tests were done in Europe and North America, targeted toward young drivers in their 20s and 30s. The results showed that this segment of drivers is attracted to economy, fuel efficiency, dynamic style and sporty design.

 

The final three exterior colors for 2012 Kia Rio, Wendy Brown, Signal Red and Electronic Blue, were Kia’s answers to their quest. Brown was targeted toward fashion-forward drivers who were stylish and chic. Other colors accentuated Rio’s individualism and dynamic sportiness.

 

Nowadays, a state-of-the-art infotainment system in a car is not just an added extra, it’s a prerequisite. So, an Arkamys Virtual Sound System delivers deep bass, consistent mid-range and detailed treble, letting you lose yourself in the rich sound. This being the talented Rio, however, the experience goes further than that. There are three connection ports so that you can plug in any type of external music device, and even a space on the dashboard where you can fit a photograph, for a customized, individual touch.

 

Drive the 2012 Kia Rio and along with power, efficiency and performance come low emissions and reduced fuel consumption, not to mention safety specifications of the highest order. From a structural framework that absorbs impact forces in both frontal and side-on collisions to a range of active and passive safety measures, the Rio is built to protect those that matter.

 

Available in three trims – LX, EX and SX – the eco-friendly 2012 Kia Rio is available with a 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) four-cylinder with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission (LX only) or efficient six-speed automatic. One of only two vehicles in the segment to offer a GDI engine, the 2012 Kia Rio provides an inviting combination of power and fuel efficiency, achieving standard class-leading 138 horsepower4 while maintaining a standard class-leading5 fuel economy rating of 30/40 mpg (city/highway).

 

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

 

Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. 

In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality6 and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking7 . Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan8 . Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

Motion Kia is a one-stop-shop for all your automotive needs in and around Hackettstown, New Jersey. Visit us in person or our website to take advantage of our No Bull Pricing!

Kia Optima is the 2012 Sedan of the Year

Motion Kia in Hackettstown, New Jersey is please to announce that f ollowing a year in which Kia Motors America (KMA) received more vehicle awards and accolades than ever before, the brand's stylish Optima mid-size sedan kicked the New Year off in high gear by being named "2012 Sedan of the Year" by Autobytel. Recognized by the automotive research website's editors as "setting the bar" in the sedan category, the Optima took top honors against tough competition with its head-turning design, roomy interior and outstanding fuel economy. 

"Since its introduction, the Kia Optima has been attracting new customers to the brand with the right balance of performance, modern amenities and fuel economy that consumers are looking for," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing and communications, KMA. "The mid-size sedan segment is more competitive than ever, and Autobytel's recognition of the Optima continues to keep Kia's momentum going into 2012."

Autobytel is an automotive research website providing consumers with the information they need to purchase new and used cars. Over their 75 years of combined experience, Autobytel editors have driven hundreds of vehicles and have chosen the 2012 Sedan of the Year based on the Kia Optima's game-changing market potential, advances in design and overall performance and efficiency options.

About the 2012 Kia Optima

 

The 2012 Kia Optima stands apart from the crowd with its head-turning design, fun-to-drive performance, modern amenities and long list of standard safety features. Kia's second U.S.-built1 vehicle offers drivers cutting-edge technologies, including a standard eight-speaker Infinity®2 audio system, HD Radio™3 , and Kia's UVO powered by Microsoft®4 voice-activated infotainment and communications system with a starting MSRP of $19,5005 .

 

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

 

Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality6 and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking7 . Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Kia Sorento CUV and Kia Optima midsize sedan8 . Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Kia Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

 

About Kia Motors America

 

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

 

Motion Kia serves all major areas in New Jersey specializing in car sales, service & genuine auto parts. Visits us online to request a internet price quote or schedule a service appointment. You can also like us on Facebook for regular updates and special offers.

THE BOSTON GLOBE NAMES THE KIA OPTIMA ONE OF THE TOP DRIVES FOR 2012

Motion Kia one of the leading Kia dealers in Hackettstown, New Jersey is pleased to announce that t he critically acclaimed, U.S.-built, Kia Optima added another accolade to its trophy recently when it was named to The Boston Globe's annual Top Ten Drives List for 2012, beating out more than 100 cars and trucks. Optima's world-class design and technology features impressed editors who dubbed the Kia Optima a "first-class, five-passenger, mid-sized sedan" with a "surprisingly spacious interior," and appreciated the available heated steering wheel during the cold New England winter months.

 

"With its powerful combination of world-class design, advanced technology, turbocharged performance and outstanding value, the Kia Optima has been turning heads since arriving in showrooms in January and demand has outpaced supply all year," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing and communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "Kia is the fastest growing car company in the U.S.1 and earning a spot on The Boston Globe's Top Ten Drives List adds to our unprecedented momentum heading into 2012."

 

The Boston Globe 2012 Top Ten Drives List spans a wide range of vehicles and prices in all segments, but they all feature key core traits such as excellent performance, quality construction, fine details and solid value.

 

Kia Motors has undergone a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and brand growth through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology. Kia's commitment to the U.S. market is represented by its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – which is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and added the critically-acclaimed Optima midsize sedan7 to its production line in September. Kia's model year 2012 vehicle line includes the Kia Sorento CUV, Kia Sportage compact CUV, Kia Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

 

Visit Motion Kia to schedule a test drive and experience the 2012 Kia Optima.