According to Kia Motors, the name "Kia" derives from the Sino-Korean words ki ("to come out") and a (which stands for Asia), it is roughly translated as "arise or come up out of Asia" or "rising out of Asia".
South Korea's oldest car company, Kia was founded on June 9, 1944 as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts by hand — and has operated as one of the country's conglomerates since. In 1952, Kia changed its name from Kyungsung Precision Industry, and later built motorcycles (starting in 1957), trucks (1962) and cars (1974). The company opened its first integrated automotive assembly plant in 1973, the Sohari Plant. Starting in 1986, in partnership with Ford, Kia produced several Mazda derived vehicles for both domestic sales in South Korea into other countries. These models include the Pride (based on the Mazda 121) and Avella, which were sold in North America and Australasia as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire.
In 1992, Kia Motors America was incorporated in the United States. The first Kia-branded vehicles in the United States were sold from four dealerships in Portland, Oregon in February 1994. Since then, Kia expanded methodically one region at a time. Dealers in 1994 sold the Kia Sephia, and a few years later the United States line expanded with the addition of the Kia Sportage.
However, Kia's bankruptcy in 1997, part of the Asian financial crisis, resulted in 51% of the company being acquired in 1998 by South Korean rival Hyundai Motor Company, outbidding Ford Motor Company which had owned an interest in Kia Motors since 1986. Subsequently, however, Hyundai has divested some of its ownership of Kia Motors, and currently Hyundai Motor Company owns less than 40% of the company.
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. Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia opened in February, 2010. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share.
Robert's Auto Repair is a KIA maintenance and repair destination.
Look, we talk an awful lot about how we are like a Car Spa, but we don't just service luxury vehicles. In fact, we maintain KIAs all the time here at Robert's Auto Repair.
Let's take the Car Spa concept a little further. EVERY vehicle deserves the royal treatment if you're going to rely on it to safely and dependably drive you around town. Doesn't your KIA deserve the same exemplary care often provided to luxury models?
Robert's Auto Repair is the premier auto repair center on the Monterey Peninsula that offers full service for your vehicle. We love working on the Kia Sephia and Kia Sportage, just to name a few.
Treat yourself and your KIA today by taking it in for maintenance at Robert's Auto Repair. Contact us at 831-373-1534 for an appointment.
Serving Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Castroville, Moss Landing, Prunedale and Salinas, make Robert's Auto Repair your first choice for auto repair.