History of Kia. The history of the development of the KIA brand

One of the main parameters that buyers of a new car are trying to evaluate today is the place of assembly. It often turns out that a car of a German or Japanese brand is assembled in Russia or in another country with not too high build quality. This makes the credibility of the car limited, so it is important to know where the car was assembled before going to a car dealership to get acquainted with it. Sometimes potential buyers refuse to purchase a car after learning that the country of the brand and assembly are two different states. However, such news no longer frightens automotive market specialists, because manufacturers often look for ways to reduce the cost of manufacturing vehicles.

But for the buyer, the news that his expensive car was brought from a Chinese factory, for example, will not be too joyful. Today we will talk about where KIA is assembled, and also consider the modern range of this brand. The Korean company KIA has recently begun to actively develop in all world markets and provide customers with high quality vehicles. The last ten years have brought the brand to a very high level, today Korean cars ready to compete with any global manufacturer.

KIA assembly - the main plants of the company and cars of the Russian market

KIA Corporation is part of the Hyundai Group, but is a separate brand and an independent unit of the concern. However, in recent years, the cooperation of these companies in terms of the development of technology has been especially noticeable. For machines of the same class, one base, one engine and transmission are used. However, the KIA brand has managed to retain its design and lineup identity.

Today the company owns full-fledged automobile plants in Korea, India, China, Turkey and the USA. In almost all countries where the brand's cars are sold, there is a subassembly of cars, which reduces their cost in local markets. For example, in Russia the corporation's assembly partners are IZH-Avto and Avtotor. Today, almost the entire model range of the company is produced in Kaliningrad, and Russian-assembled KIA cars are distinguished by the following features:

• quite high-quality production with the necessary reliability checks and certifications;
• the absence of factory blunders, which are a tradition of Russian assembly plants for other brands;
• the use of Korean units, fully assembled and assembled at one of the company's five factories in South Korea;
• adaptation of almost the entire model range to the Russian conditions of transport operation;
• the presence of serious modifications for some models that were developed for Russia.

As a vivid example of a car designed for our operating conditions, we can cite a very successful project of the company - a new generation of KIA Rio. Great design and good technique no savings on important nodes made the car as attractive as possible in all respects. For these reasons, the company received almost 9% of the market of all foreign cars in Russia at the end of 2014.

But the competition in Koreans is quite big, because today the company has lost most of its developments. The popularity of models was especially negatively affected by a serious rise in prices associated with currency fluctuations in early 2015. From that moment on, the company's lineup practically ceased to develop, and the popularity of cars began to noticeably decline. However, some models remain popular today.

Lineup and brief description of KIA cars in Russia

The corporation's cars are presented in a fairly large assortment, despite the unfulfilled plan to update the lineup this year. The corporation offers solutions for both urban travel and off-road conquest. Among the general strengths The company should be called good design, high quality and ride comfort. But this is only the first impression of most of the manufacturer's machines.

Each model from the assortment of the Korean company has its own individual characteristics:

• Picanto - baby hatchback with bright design, a stylish interior for city trips, the car is regarded as a good offer for the fair sex;
• Rio is one of the most popular models companies, compact sedan and a hatchback with excellent individual external characteristics and hardy equipment for Russian conditions;
• Cee "d is a successful project of the company, present in hatchback, station wagon and coupe bodies, comfortable and spacious car with good technical characteristics;
• Cerato is a traditional C-class sedan with good handling and high level equipment, very reliable technology and decent performance for daily use;
• Optima is one of the inexpensive premium sedans with a bright appearance, a large interior and a very productive engine, attractive in all aspects, including the price;
• Quoris is truly a premium machine with great salon, high quality equipment and excellent finishing materials, a car for business and executive class;
• Venga - a small family minivan with an attractive price, but not too spacious interior, is popular in European countries due to its versatility;
• Soul - a small urban crossover with an unusual appearance, memorable design features and a good spacious interior, a car for smooth trips;
• Sportage - completely reborn in a new generation compact crossover with authentic design and outstanding engines, respect for their bold appearance;
• Sorento is a large crossover with good technology and impressive dimensions, in 2015 the next generation update is expected with complete change appearance details;
• Mohave is an SUV with very attractive characteristics, but not too affordable cost, which hinders its popularity in our country.

In general, the manufacturer's model range is quite wide, but some cars need updates. For this and the coming year, the company has planned a lot of changes in a number of models, but it is unlikely that they will be implemented all of them. Today, the company is experiencing a slight decline in popularity, because many models will be delayed, their entry into the market will be postponed indefinitely. We offer you to see a small test drive of a small and popular sedan KIA Rio:

Summing up

It is difficult to say what situation the Korean manufacturer is in today, and whether it is worth expecting certain new products from it in the near future. Nevertheless, salons KIA in Russia are full of offers, because the company continues to supply and assemble vehicles in our country. Despite a technical rapprochement with parent concern Hyundai, Kia cars have been able to retain their uniqueness and are in many ways superior to the products of the corporation-owner.

In today's market, the Korean company KIA is far from the last place in the ratings and offers very high quality and modern cars. Given the active expansion of the brand to the US market, we can assume that in the near future new models will appear in the model line, which will also be available for Russian market. How do you feel about cars from South Korea, including the KIA brand?

KIA: "FROM ASIA TO THE WORLD"

From time immemorial, the warrior and the builder have figured in the public mind as the two most masculine professions. However, memorial sculptures and honorary mentions in the annals, as a rule, were awarded to the former, and the latter were assigned a modest role as participants in the global labor crowd.
Biography of a South Korean corporation KIA Motors forces to reconsider the prioritization of the historical "arena" of the global automotive industry.
The company was founded in a difficult period for Korea during the liberation of the Japanese occupiers and, together with its country, went all the way from the devastation of the end of World War II to prosperity today, sharing with the people the joy of victories and the bitterness of defeats. Using the example of the history of the Kia brand, it becomes clear how South Korea has turned from a poor country into a powerful industrial power in half a century. Not due to military exploits, which practically did not exist, and not due to raw material reserves, which did not exist at all.
The main and, perhaps, the only wealth of this modest Asian country of "Morning Calm" is its hard-working and family-like people.
Like a plate of red-hot iron that a master blacksmith repeatedly dips into a vat of water before the metal acquires the strength of a steel blade, so, in the past, a handicraft bicycle workshop, having passed through years of severe trials, transformed into one of the largest automobile conglomerates on the planet.
Apparently the prophecy encoded in the melodious name came true Kia, which the company engaged as a trademark at the dawn of its industrial career. The first hieroglyph of this name - "Ki" is interpreted by corporate linguists as "Going out to the whole world", and the second syllable - "a" means "Asia". Thus, the meaning of the name Kia, of course, in an industrial context, can be briefly voiced by the motto: "From Asia to the World."

Corporation Kia Motors some experts consider the first Korean "automaker". This, of course, has a certain degree of conventionality, because at the time of its formation the company was not engaged in the production of cars, and it was not called at all KIA, a - KyungSung Precision Industry.
But since its foundation on May 15, 1944, individual vehicles have been a key activity of the enterprise. Back then, the KyungSung Precision Industry factory in southern Seoul made bicycle parts by hand. By the way, "precision industry" is translated into Russian as "precision engineering". One can imagine the level of development of technology in a country where handicraft production of bicycle parts is called precision engineering.
In those years, there was an acute shortage of individual vehicles in Korea, and most of the bicycles were purchased by local trading companies from abroad.
The management of Kyungsung Precision Industry decided to change the situation, and two years later, the first mass-produced Korean-made bike, the Samcholli-ho model, appeared.
True, it was not so easy to put it on the conveyor: On the one hand, the company's affairs did not go uphill too quickly, on the other, the war was approaching.
After the outbreak of hostilities, it was decided to evacuate the plant to a quieter place - so the enterprise ended up in Busan.
While Kim Il Sung and Mao Zedong were looking for ways to stop the onslaught of American troops, Kyungsung Precision Industry built warehouses and assembly shops.
At a time when thousands of soldiers were dying in minefields and under bombing attacks by enemy aircraft, far from shooting and explosions, hardworking Korean workers created their first bicycles.
In 1952, Korea was one of the poorest Asian countries, and its own production of bicycles was a real technological breakthrough.
But all wars end. And if winning battles is the work of the military, then the elimination of the consequences of war has always been the concern of industrialists. Terrible poverty reigned in the country. In those years, there were a total of 6,500 passenger cars mobiles. In other words, one car per 3200 inhabitants. A ration of rice was considered quite acceptable payment for labor after a hard day's work. But the industry continued to develop in these difficult conditions.
By that time, Kyungsung Precision Industry had already been renamed to KIA Industrial Company. Interestingly, the company borrowed the new name from one of the bikes of its own production.
To meet the growing demand for bicycles, in 1955 KIA built another factory in Shaikhung. But for a young and ambitious company, previous achievements were no longer enough. And the management decides to master the production of motor equipment.

In 1961, the company set up assembly production of S-100 motorcycles, which became the first Korean motor vehicle. The transition from two-wheeled to four-wheeled vehicles was gradual - the first truck that left the factory gates in 1962 was ... three-wheeled.

The production of three-wheeled trucks continued until 1973, and the production of motorcycles was discontinued in 1981.
Meanwhile, the situation in the country began to worsen again. The democratic form of government in Korea did not take root in those years. What is happening in the country has become more and more like anarchy. As history shows, in such a situation, reactionary trends intensify in military circles. And the country of "morning freshness" was no exception. In the political arena of Korea, General Park Chung-hee appears - the undisputed leader of the country for many years. He came to power in 1961 as a result of a military coup, and remained head of state until 1979, when he died from bullet wounds received as a result of an assassination attempt.
The history of this death is still hidden by a veil of secrecy. According to the newspapers at the time, the general was shot dead by Korean intelligence chief Kim Kyu during a private dinner. At the sound of gunshots, bodyguards came running, but Kim Kyu shot them all. This is where the conspiracy ended.
The harsh years of Park Chung-hee's reign turned out to be "healing" for the Korean economy. It was then that the country made a powerful economic breakthrough, which was later called the "miracle on the Hangang River."
Making the main bet on the only "natural" resource available in Korea, cheap labor sipu, the general sought to increase the share of exports in the economy, while severely limiting imports.
Abroad, Korea bought only the raw materials and technologies necessary for production. As a result of this policy, in 1980, equipment in Korea was assembled mainly from parts made domestically.
In 1965, KIA began selling bicycles in the United States. Six years later, the plant begins production of Titan and Boxer four-wheeled trucks. The popularity of these models was such that the word "Titan" for many years became a household word, meaning trucks in general.
In the same year, the company concludes a cooperation agreement with Japanese concern Mazda, subsequently, many KIA models were created using the developments of Japanese designers.
Park Chung Hee selected from all the companies that existed in the country a few dozen that seemed to him the most promising, and transferred to them "exclusive" rights to operate in the "segment" of heavy industry. The holdings formed as a result of this reform were called "chaebols". Four local firms, including Kia Industrial Company, received a "license" to produce cars in 1972, and a few months later the first Korean gasoline engine was designed.
This development gave the company a powerful impetus to further development. In 1974, the first Korean passenger car, Brisa, left the assembly line of the Sohari plant. In fairness, it should be noted that Mazda engineering solutions were used in the development of the model, after all, the Korean automotive industry was still too young. The car was in many ways similar to the Mazda 1300. A small economical engine eight hundred cubic centimeters. It was Brisa that became the first Korean car that was sold for export.
In 1975, the company sells several copies of its brainchild to the small Middle Eastern state of Qatar. The volume of delivery did not exceed two dozen cars, but, as they say, "the beginning of trouble is the beginning."
In the same seventies, the company creates several subsidiaries, Kia Service Corp. and Kia Machine Tool Ltd. But perhaps the most important achievement of Kia of those years was the acquisition in 1976 of Asia Motors, which produced heavy and medium trucks, as well as all-terrain vehicles for the needs of the army.
Before joining Kia the company collected army all-terrain vehicles M-38A1 licensed by Jeep, and then, along with the passenger models of their new sovereign, the production of Asia off-road vehicles was launched.
At the same time, the production of a new Kia passenger model, the K-303, was launched. Traditionally, many solutions were borrowed from Japanese colleagues. This time the donor was Mazda 818.
At the end of the decade, the situation in the country worsened again. The dictatorship of Pak Chung hn turned out to be so severe that even the former supporters of the general began to grumble. A wave of riots and strikes swept across the country, the air smelled of new revolution. In 1979, the ruler of the country was killed and another general, Chung Du Hwan, seized power.
The change of the head of state was accompanied by large-scale repressions. In addition, the country's economy was severely shaken by inflation that swept the world, caused by rising oil prices, which was caused by the Islamic revolution in Iran. In this truly difficult and terrible time, activities Kia, despite the crisis laws, continues to gain new momentum. The company begins production of cars equipped with diesel engines, which were developed in 1978. In addition, due to its growing reputation and high quality products, the company receives the rights to produce Peugeot 604 and Fiat 132 sedans for the domestic market.

The new ruler of the country was not as talented as his predecessor, but adhered to the old economic and political strategy. Chung Doo-hwan's period in power in recent Korean history is considered the most brutal. However, one should not exaggerate the atrocities of the military dictatorship; according to official data, about 50 people died in correctional camps in the first half of the 80s.
Immediately after the "inauguration" of the new "master" in Kia IndustrialCompany, a serious reorganization took place. The owners of the company moved away from the direct management of the affairs of the enterprise and recruited a staff of professional managers. That helped Kia make a new breakthrough in development and stand on a par with the world's largest car manufacturers. Realities of life forced the management to focus on the light and medium truck market. In 1981, the production of all four produced at that time was curtailed. car models. The company brings to market a family commercial vehicles Bongo mobiles: light truck, minibus and farm pickup. In 1983, the lineup was supplemented by another truck - Ceres. By the way, in the domestic market KIA still remains the leader in the production of cars of this class.
Soon KIA again returns to the market of "civilian" models. It began with the fact that in 1983 Mazda acquires an 8% stake in the company and then in KIA opens a new "front" of work to create its own research and development center.
The results of the center's activity allowed the company to come back to the market of "passenger cars" as a triumph. By that time, the number of passenger cars in Korea had grown 50 times, and now the car, if it has not become an ordinary means of transportation, then certainly has ceased to be an attribute of extreme luxury. Soon KIA creates several more research centers, one of which is located in Japan.
Three years later, an agreement was signed with Ford, according to which another 10 percent of the shares are transferred to the American corporation. The alliance with the world's largest automotive manufacturers immediately brings KIA success.
The Pride minicar, created in 1987 on the basis of the Mazda 121, became the company's first outstanding production achievement.
After all, there will always be buyers for a car worth just over $ 7,000. Pride was successfully sold in Australia and America. Thanks to the success of this "compact" KIA turns into a major exporter of cars. In total, about 2,000,000 of these little ones were produced, practical, reliable and accessible to the general population.
The company's business is starting to take off. KIA acquires its own metallurgical production and creates its own basketball team. The model range is replenished with Concord sedans, equipped with a two-liter gasoline engine, and Capita1, with a 1.5-liter engine.

In 1988, KIA produces its millionth car. At the same time, the company continues to actively develop another important area of ​​its activity - the production of commercial vehicles. The Rhino and Trade models, as well as the Besta minibus, will soon leave the assembly line of the plant.
In those years, the triumphal ascent of KIA to the Olympus of the global automotive industry begins. But the finest hour of the brand comes in 1990, when the company is transformed into KIA Motor Corporation. A new 1.5 DOHC engine is being developed, which can later be found on many Korean-made cars.
The political situation in South Korea is gradually beginning to change. The successor of the last "military" president, Ro De U, gradually abandoned the dictatorial methods of government. The welfare of the country continued to grow, as if paying dividends to the population for many years of starvation. Now one car accounts for an average of 12 people. At the same time, members of Ro De U's entourage are involved in a number of financial scandals, and in the elections in 1992, the former opposition comes to power for the first time.
At the same time, KIA opens its sales office in America, and a year later "cuts a window to Europe" with the Sephia model, which had been presented at the Seoul Motor Show a few months before.
At the same time, the Sportage compact SUV appears, the development of which the company spent almost ten years. The model turned out to be more than successful. Sportage showed itself perfectly on the East-West rally In the sands of the sultry Sahara.
The lineup is replenished by Avella, which continued the line of bestsellers Pride and Credos. From the category of "ugly ducklings" of the world automotive industry the company is confidently beginning to turn into a "white swan".

By May 1995, exports KIA exceeded 1,000,000 cars. The company was one of the three largest automakers in Korea, strengthening its position in the world market. It seemed better times just starting...
The monstrous economic crisis of 1997 swept Asia like a tsunami. There were a great many reasons for the disaster: errors in credit policy, reassessment by European financiers of the real growth of the eastern economy, which led to the so-called "soap bubble" effect, and many other factors. The first bell sounded already in 1996, when the shares of the Korean National Exchange fell by 30 points in one day. But the "full-scale" crisis did not begin until the following year; after Taiwan and Indonesia became its victims.
Almost all chaebols were on the verge of collapse. A common burden for all enterprises was the exorbitant debts that arose at a time when the Korean government pursued an ill-conceived protectionist policy against national oligarchic structures.
Under the new conditions, most local companies were unable to pay off their creditors. When KIA the situation was aggravated by not quite successful investment projects, increasing the already astronomical debt. The government tried in vain to prevent the bankruptcy of the company until 1998, that is, before the end of the elections. However, KIA recognizes its financial insolvency earlier, in 1997. The future of the company could have turned out differently, but another important factor played a role.
The financial crisis has radically changed the political situation in the country. Opposition leader Kim Tae-jung came to power. The life story of this man could become the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster. At one time, Jung Doo-hwan personally signed his death sentence, but then the Americans stood up for Kim Tae-jung. The future president of the country spent a long enough time in camps and emigration to hate any manifestations of military dictatorship, and chaebols were the only relic left from those times. It was from them that he began his reforms. First of all, the new lord was not satisfied with the versatility of most family holdings. After a historic "friendly" meeting with representatives of the largest chaebols, the Hyundai concern was forced to abandon a number of enterprises engaged in "non-core" activities for it.
After the bankruptcy of KIA, Korea Development Bank began collecting applications for the purchase of the company. Ford was among those who wanted to, but, in the end, KIA pulled Hyundai out of the debt hole. Beyond the $9 billion debt Hyundai Motors acquired a rich model range and the exclusive privilege of KIA to supply the national army with vehicles. The latter promised lucrative government orders and the opportunity to restructure the fabulous debts of both companies.
In addition, it became possible to reduce development costs by reducing the number of constructive platforms from 22 to 5, as is usually the case when auto giants merge. The firstborn of the new alliance was the city compact Visto, which has a counterpart in the Hyundai family named Amica.

In the first months after this extremely positive event for the Korean economy, the newspapers wrote: "Kia seems to be oblivious to its bankruptcy and the imminent complete loss of independence." The fact of bankruptcy could no longer be changed, but the “complete loss of independence” of KIA was avoided. The company's debt was repaid by 2000, although a significant part of it was simply written off.
After the stabilization of the financial situation in the country, the export orientation of the Korean automotive industry became even more clearly visible. On the one hand, the depreciation of the national currency during the crisis led to a noticeable decrease in prices, on the other hand, the "average" Korean gradually became richer, and the import bans established during the military dictatorships began to gradually weaken. The incomes of the population of South Korea have actually caught up with European ones, and many have the opportunity to choose a car brought from abroad.
In fairness, it should be noted that, mindful of the times of Japanese occupation, the Koreans until 1991 did not import a single car from the "Land of the Rising Sun".
In 2000, Chang Mung-Ko (MongKoo Chung), the son of the legendary founder of Hyundai - Chang Zhu Yung, was appointed to the post of head of the Hyundai-KIA group. Previously, the descendant of his famous parent led the service division of his father's company for more than 20 years, and during this time he became a professional in all matters of product quality.
As a result, after four years of Chang Mung-Ko's tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Korean cars were recognized in the USA as one of the most reliable, practically not inferior to Toyota products. This compliment has for KIA special meaning, after all, the notorious "Toyota level" has long been the main guideline for development for Korean industrialists. However, the quality of KIA was also appreciated by buyers - this year the company exported the five millionth car.
For achievements in business, the prestigious and influential magazine "Business Week" awarded Chang Mung-Ko the title of "Best Manager of 2004".
Currently, the model ranges of cars produced by Kia for different countries differ only in the names of models and the nuances of equipment. In the subcompact segment, the aforementioned Vista, the veteran Pride, and the new Rio, which replaced the obsolete Avella, perform. By the way, in 2003, a cute "baby"
Rio won the Ice Racing World Championship.
The most popular "segment" of the car market, the so-called "golf class", is represented by the Cerato sedan, which has taken over from the Sephia II and Shuma models. Last year, the Cerato model received an award from the Journalists' Association of Canada.
In the business class, Kia Motors offers the respectable Opirus and Magentis sedans, the latter in the US under the Optima brand.
Kia's SUV family includes the elegant Sorento and the 'phoenix from the ashes' reborn compact Sportage. "... It was as if the caterpillar became a cocoon and after a while fluttered out of it like a beautiful butterfly," - this is how the authoritative newspaper "Washington Times" voiced the miraculous metamorphosis of Sportage. The difference is all the more striking because the first and second generations of the model are separated by ten years, during which both the KIA corporation and the entire automotive world have changed a lot.
In addition, the modern KIA model palette includes comfortable Carnival family minivans and, of course, a wide range of commercial vehicles.
In the future, the management of the Hyundai-KIA group intends to separate the products of the two companies according to the azimuth of market positioning. Moreover, KIA cars are given the role of more emotional, stylish and memorable. In light of this project, just recently KIA Motors announced the creation of its own design center in Frankfurt, which will develop new models for the European market. This is a rather serious step, considering that the rest of the corporation's design structures work for Hyundai and Kia in parallel.
Three years ago, Kia Motors celebrated the release of the ten millionth car. Today, products with the KIA logo are sold in 170 countries around the world, and the total production exceeds 650,000 vehicles per year.
In our country, Kia products and branded services are represented through an extensive network of branded dealer centers official distributor companies. The Russian headquarters of Kia Motors is located in Moscow.

Despite the fact that KIA has been producing cars since the middle of the last century, in European countries, in America, its products began to be in demand not so long ago. There are also motorists who believe that Korean and Chinese cars are of the same type. In fact, the models of manufacturers from Korea in terms of their reliability and comfort are not inferior to the products of famous European and American brands. When deciding to buy a Korean car, consumers consider it necessary to ask which country the KIA manufacturer is, realizing that the build quality depends on it. Practice shows that machines manufactured in the company's branches practically do not differ from models made in Korea.

Historical milestones of KIA

The first KIA car was the Sibay. The name of the model was not chosen by chance, it is translated as “beginning” or “start”. He saw the light in the 50s of the last century. Designers developed cars using American army jeeps as an example.

Brisa became the debut model in a series of passenger cars. She was born in the early 70s. The prototype of this car is Mazda. Later, KIA designers also used licenses from large concerns to create own machines: Fiat, Peugeot.

In the 90s cars brand KIA began to be in demand in the USA, in Europe. But the crisis that began in Asia at the end of the century led to the bankruptcy of the company. It was acquired by Hyundai concern. However, this was not the end of the brand's history. On the contrary, her models have acquired their own “face”, gained well-deserved popularity, and are successfully sold in many countries. The head office of KIA is located in the capital of South Korea, a network of branches is open in Europe, the USA, and Russia.

Countries where KIA is assembled

For car enthusiasts who want to know which country is KIA manufacturer, it is worth deciding on the brand model, since each of them has its own branch.

• KIA RIO - in addition to the main plant located in Korea, this popular car is produced in several branches in: India, Thailand, Iran, Vietnam, Indonesia, China. In Russia, the assembly of KIA Rio is carried out in Kaliningrad. The issue is handled by Avtotor.
• KIA Cee`d is a popular golf class car. The car is produced at the main plant of the concern, as well as in Kazakhstan in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk, at the Avtotor enterprise in Kaliningrad.
• KIA Cerato is the sales leader in Russia. The model was previously assembled in Korea. Now the car is produced by a plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan), in the USA (a branch of KIA Forte), in Russia.
• KIA Clarus - is produced directly on the main conveyor of the concern in South Korea. A certain number of models were produced by the Avtotor plant.
• KIA Mohave - the car was developed for the American consumer. However, this model has become popular in other countries. It is produced not only in South Korea, the USA, but also in Ust-Kamenogorsk, at Avtotor.

Other KIA models are also assembled in Kaliningrad: Soul, Sorento, Sportage.

Full title:	Kia Motor Corporation
Other names:	KIA
Existence:	1944 - today
Location:	Republic of Korea: Seoul
Key Figures:	-
Products:	Passenger cars and SUVs
The lineup:	KIA Spectra ; Kia Shuma ; Kia Soul ; Kia Opirus ; Kia Cadenza ; Kia Sorento ;

The company for the production of vehicles "KiaMotors" dates back to 1944. Its headquarters settled in the capital of South Korea - Seoul.

What was at the very beginning?

Like many now well-known auto giants, the KIA concern that is functioning today was called differently, namely KyungSungPrecisionIndustry.

In those days, only a part of the population of a poor country could afford to travel even on two-wheeled non-motorized vehicles.

Bicycles were not cheap, as they were bought abroad. Like any other technique, sometimes bicycles break down. Troubleshooting required new parts. The production of such spare parts and the newly-minted company began to deal with. Moreover, at first, workers made parts and assembled individual units manually.

It seems that since its inception (05/15/1944) the company has been striving for new achievements. This is evidenced by the combination of words included in the name, “precision industry”. In Russian, it means the concept of "precision engineering".

The Korean population was in dire need of two-wheeled vehicles. Therefore, the leadership of KyungSungPrecisionIndustry set out to establish the production of not only bicycle parts, but finished products.

The first completely Korean bicycles appeared after 2 whole years. The model was called - "Samcholli-ho". Production did not develop as fast as we would like.

When hostilities began in Korea, there was a danger of losing production capacity. For this reason, it was decided to transfer the plant to a more stable area. So Kyungsung PrecisionIndustry moved to Busan.

Two, three, four wheels

A huge technological breakthrough can be considered a stable production of two-wheeled bicycles in South Korea. After all, then, in 1952, the war between neighboring states had not yet ended.

Despite the fact that the country in the middle of the last century was one of the poorest in Asia, the plant worked perfectly, several new models appeared. By the name of one of them, the company itself began to be called. Now the corporate name has become: "KIAIndustrialCompany".

2 years after the end of the war, more precisely in 1955, the company acquired another plant. This time the enterprise started working in Shaikhung.

The demand for cheap domestic bicycle equipment was huge. But the company's management did not want to be limited to small things, they decided to release a new one for themselves motor products. Motor scooters began to appear already in 1957. A little later, in 1961, the first Korean motorcycle of the S-100 brand came off the KIA conveyors. In addition, there were motorized carriages, and even trucks. However, unlike modern ones, Korean K-360 trucks, produced by KIA until 1973, had only three wheels.

The ambitious company was steadily moving forward. High-quality and inexpensive bicycles began to be delivered abroad, including in the USA. A few years later, four-wheeled vehicles appeared. This was the TitaniBoxer truck. For many years it has been synonymous with quality and reliability.

Cooperation of KIA Industrial Company with Japanese Mazda began with the signing in 1972 of the relevant agreement. The Land of the Rising Sun shared its design developments. The first Korean cars were made exclusively on a Japanese basis.

One of four

In 1972, the leadership of South Korea decided to license the production of cars. Since then, only four companies have been granted the right to assemble vehicles. Kia Industrial Company was one of these four lucky ones.

The government of the country was not mistaken in its choice. Inspired by high confidence, it took KIA specialists only a few months to design the very first Korean gasoline-powered car.

This victory was the impetus for further achievements. It took the KIA team two years to create the first passenger car. It doesn't matter that the Korean passenger car was created on the basis of Mazda. The main thing is that she left the Korean factory in Sohari.

Brisa, as the passenger car was called, was small in size. Its motor was just as small - with a volume of only 800 "cubes". An economical car was in demand not only in Korea. Didn't give up

Kia Brisa and foreign buyers.

These models were the first cars delivered abroad. And, although the volume of delivery was small (a little more than two dozen copies) and the country - the buyer was not very solid (Qatar), a start was made.

In the same period of time, the company expanded significantly, forming affiliated companies:
- KiaMachineToolLtd;
- Kia Service Corp.

The most significant event was the major acquisition of KIA. She took over the company for the production of trucks - AsiaMotors.

Since 1976, the list of manufactured vehicles has been replenished:
- heavy trucks;
-medium trucks;
- army all-terrain vehicles.

Since 1978, diesel engines have been installed on a number of KIA vehicles. It should be noted that such motors were developed by KiaIndustrialCompany specialists.

The high quality of its products and the growing popularity allowed the company to obtain the exclusive right to manufacture two types of sedans for Korean citizens:
- Fiat 132 and
- Peugeot 604.

By the 81st year, the company produced four brands of passenger cars. Since that time, their production has ceased. KIA took the direction of manufacturing commercial cars of the Bongo family, which included:
- minibus;
- farm pickup;
- light truck.

In 1983, the Ceres truck was added to the lineup.

Foreign co-owners of the company

For rapid development and gaining a "place in the sun" in the international auto arena own forces Koreans were clearly not enough. When part of the shares were transferred into the hands of foreigners, things went much faster.

Eight percent went to the Japanese corporation Mazda and ten to the American Ford. Since that time, the company has again "turned its face" to passenger cars.

Foreign partners helped to create and organize the work of a special center in which research and design of new models of motor vehicles were carried out. After the first center, the second and the third ones were opened… One of the similar KIA organizations settled in Japan.

An outstanding achievement of the corporation is the release on the basis of the Mazda 121 of the small car "Pride" in 1987. This model is known to some motorists under a different name - "Festiva".

The small car was so good, reliable, costing so little that even today its slightly modified copies roam the planet. The total number of small cars produced at KIA factories is about two million pieces.

The company developed not only car factories and design centers. She had her own metallurgical enterprise. In addition, as a mass of reputable concerns, KIA created its own sports team, which consisted of basketball players.

At the next stage, more powerful cars. For example, the Capita1 had a one and a half liter engine, and the Concord sedan had a full two liters.

In 1988, Kia celebrated the production of its first million passenger cars. The previously taken "commercial" direction is also not forgotten: trucks of the "Trade" and "Rhino" models are assembled at the factories. A small bus "Besta" appears.

The KiaIndustrialCompany outgrew itself and in 1990 became a corporation - KIA MotorsCorporation. At the same time, another novelty was developed 1.5 DOHC. This engine could be seen on many KIA passenger cars.

The American co-owners of the corporation helped open a KIA representative office in the United States in 1992.

KIA products appeared on European markets in about a year. Then, noticed by representatives of the "old world" at the motor show in Seoul "Sephia", was able to appear before sophisticated Europeans.

Good luck accompanied the new SUV. It took almost a decade to develop the compact "Sportage". But the result is worth the effort.

When Avella, the successor of the famous Credos and Pride models, entered the arena, the Korean corporation was accepted by the global community of automakers.

The spring of 1995 was marked by the fact that the millionth car of the company was sent for export. In its own country, KIA has become one of the three largest automakers and far from the last in the world car markets.

Crisis and new achievements

Nothing is stable in our world. The 1997 crisis that swept Asian countries led to the bankruptcy of a recently prosperous company. The company was put up for sale.

Those wishing to purchase finished production there were a lot. Among them stood out concern Ford. However, he was not destined to take possession of the property of KIA. Hyundai came to the aid of the “brother”.

KIA is widely known and thrives these days. Its products are in demand all over the world. The same models are sold in different countries under different names. The only difference is in the configuration.

The most popular brands in the class of subcompact cars are:
- Vista;
- Pride;
- Rio.

The latter in 2003 won the world ice racing championship.

Of the "more solid" cars, the Cerato sedan stands out. This model was awarded the Canadian Association of Journalists.

Luxury sedans: "Opirus" and "Magentis" represent the "business class". In the United States, Magentis is known to customers as Optima.

Among the SUVs, the most popular are: the Sorento, which is distinguished by the elegance of its lines, and the Sportage, whose merit is in amazing compactness.

The corporation has not abandoned the production of commercial vehicles either. Trucks, special vehicles and buses have a wide range. In addition, the so-called "family" minivans of the Carnival brand are leaving the KIA conveyors.

In 2002, the corporation produced the ten millionth car. This event was celebrated with a befitting solid firm scale.

Every year, more than 650,000 cars leave the KIA workshops. They are sold in one hundred and seventy countries of the world. Russia is no exception. Korean cars are especially popular among the middle class. If you prefer Japanese automotive manufacturers, we advise you to visit the salon

Tagline: The Power to Surprise

Some sources tend to consider that it was founded in 1944 KIA(at that time it was called Kyungsung Precision Industry) is the first ever South Korean car manufacturer. In principle, this is true, judging from the point of view of the date of foundation. But for a long time the company was engaged exclusively in bicycles and scooters, later on motorized carriages and three-wheeled vehicles, like those produced by the Japanese Daihatsu. The first four-wheeled vehicle, which could already be called a car, appeared only in the early 70s. The first cars appeared a little later (and even those were built under license from other manufacturers).

As for the very first Korean car, then they became Sibal(this name can be translated as "start" or "Start"), built in 1955 and to KIA had no relation. It is based on the legendary American army Jeep.

There are many criteria by which a company can be considered Kyungsung Precision Industry pioneer. She started with the production of bicycles under the brand Samcholly-ho. The assembly took place by hand, in a small factory that was located in the town of Yangdeungpo (Yougdeungpo), which is now located in the southern part of Seoul. Korea in those years was a very poor and backward country, and even a Japanese colony, so the emergence of even such a small company that managed to launch production, even if based on other people's developments, is a real event.

In 1950, the company began manufacturing bicycles of its own design. And when it turned out that this design is quite reliable and successful (moreover, it is possible to enter the international market with it), the leadership, inspired by success, in 1952 decides to change the name to a more euphonious one. So there was KIA. Which, with some imagination, can be translated as "coming from Asia" or "Asiatic". One feels unfounded confidence that it will be possible to become a major player in the global market. By the way, do not forget that in Korea at that moment there was a war, the result of which was the final division of the country into North and South.

Until 1961, there was a lull in the affairs of the company. The first achievement was the appearance of the first Korean motorcycle in history - the C-100 model. And here KIA suffered. A year later, the company's first three-wheeled truck appeared - the K360 model, which managed to hold out on the market for more than 10 years. In 1971, the first four-wheel truck called Titan appeared in the history of the company and South Korea. also successful and successful model, whose name for a long time was almost synonymous with the word "truck" for Koreans.

In 1973, the first passenger car produced KIA(which, due to the expansion of production, has become known as KIA Corporation). They became the model Brisa. In fairness, it should be noted that it had much more from Mazda than from KIA. And subsequent models were built under license from other manufacturers, such as Peugeot And FIAT. By that time, the production of motorcycles had been abandoned.

The 1980s were marked by a difficult financial situation and many problems. So no notable achievements were made during this period. However, it was in those years that the most complex restructuring of the company took place and the millionth car was produced.

Another thing is the 90s. It was then that the models developed by the company, which again changed its name, begin to appear. This time at KIA Motors Corporation. The rise of a new star began, the light of which was already noticed not only in Europe, but also in the USA.

But the crisis that erupted in Asia in 1997 led to the fact that the company was declared financially insolvent and absorbed Hyundai Motor. What led to education Hyundai Kia Automotive Group.

Cars KIA gradually gaining more and more popularity and gaining more and more respect. They are sold almost everywhere. Initially, only causing a smile among many consumers, adherents of high-profile brands, now they are already able to compete with the products of many famous manufacturers. Cars disperse KIA million copies.

The company's headquarters is located in Seoul. As for the factories, they are scattered across the continents, meeting already in Europe and Asia. Cars in Russia KIA releases JSC "IzhAvto".