South Korea's oldest car company, Kia was founded in 1944. It later produced several Mazda models under licence, including the Pride (based on the 121) and Avella, which were sold in North America and Australasia as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire. The name "Kia" (기아, 起亞) roughly translates as "Arising from Asia" in Korean and Chinese characters.

In 1993, it began operating in the United States, with initial efforts focused in California. Dealers in 1994 sold the Sephia, and a few years later the United States line expanded with the addition of the Sportage. Kia vehicles were considerably less reliable than those from competitors, and relied largely on ten-year powertrain warranties for sales. (Also see Hyundai) Kia has consistently ranked last on J.D. Power and Associates durability index. In recent years however, Kia has worked to improve the reliabilty of their vehicles and it now rates higher than many other car companies. ( In 2004, it was no longer last on JD Powers durability index, but 2nd last. Last place went to Land Rover). In 2005 it regained its title as the least durable.

Kia's troubles in 1997 helped to push South Korea into the Asian financial crisis, and it was acquired in 1998 by the Hyundai Motor Company.

Due to the success that came to Kia after Hyundai took over, Kia sales have improved dramatically 1998-2005. On September 6, 2005, Kia announced that it would be building a new plant in Mississippi in the US to keep up with the US demand for Kia vehicles, which has risen steadily and is expected to reach 290,000 vehicles sold in the US for 2005.

Kia also manufactures bicycles, some of which are sold in the United States.

Affiliations and subsidiaries

Kia is one of the companies of the Hyundai Motor Group and has four subsidiaries:

Kia Motors Europe
Doongpung Ywieda Kia
Kia Motors America
Asia Motors, Ltd

Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company is a joint venture in China with Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

Model Lineup

Passenger Car

Kia Motors Group

Avella (based on the Ford Aspire)
Brisa (based on the Mazda Familia)
Capital
Concord (based on the Mazda Capella)
Potentia (based on the Mazda Luce)
Sephia/Mentor
Pride (based on the Ford Festiva/Mazda 121)

Subsidary of Hyundai Motor Group

Visto (based on the Hyundai Atos/Santro)
Amanti/Opirus
Clarus/Credos
Clarus/Credos II
Elan/Vigato/Kia Roadster (based on the Lotus Elan)
Enterprise (based on the Mazda Sentia)
Magentis/Optima
Morning/Picanto
Magentis/Optima/Optima-Regal
Potentia(New)
Rio/Pride
Rio(Cinco/RX-V)
Rio SF/Rio
Sephia/Mentor(New)
Sephia/Spectra/Shuma
Spectra
Spectra/Cerato
Lotze/Optima/Magentis