Kia Autosport's News to Use

It's Pyramid month at Kia Autosport!

2012-03-01T13:16:00.004-05:00

This month we are celebrating Pyramid Tallahassee. Pyramid is a center for developmentally and physically disabled adults.

Pyramid is best known for its unique arts program, which offers a full range of visual and performing arts, catering to each student’s level of ability and interest. The Pyramid Players perform across Florida and in Georgia and Alabama. Pyramid’s artists exhibit from St. Petersburg, Tampa and Orlando to the Panhandle. Their work is on display from south Florida to Chicago and beyond.

In addition to the arts, Pyramid offers therapeutic repositioning, physical/nutritional and behavioral assistance, peer counseling, sensory integration, social and life-management skills training and a variety of educational classes designed to increase their independence. Our staff-to-student ratios far surpass regulatory requirements.

Pyramid’s programs are supported by Medicaid and the Medicaid Waiver. That basic support is increasingly supplemented by grants, fund-raising and partnerships with universities and private businesses.

Pyramid’s programs are shaped by an innate belief in the abilities of the people we serve, by a commitment to individualized curricula and a holistic view of our students’ lives.

We will be celebrating this wonderful program on March 24th 10:00am- 3:00pm. There will be art, music and performances by Pyramid students! Please come out and show your support for such a great program in our community!

Six tips for better fuel economy

2012-02-02T13:14:00.002-05:00

Last week, we posted about the Kia Optima Hybrid being the Guinness Book of World Records holder for the lowest fuel consumption. One of the driver's of the winning Optima Hybrid, Wayne Gerdes, has shared his six driving tips for better fuel economy. No matter what kind of car you have you can use these tips to get better fuel economy.

1. Be Smooth
Accelerating quickly and breaking heavily can reduce fuel economy by as much as 33% on the highway, and 10% around town- so think ahead and anticipate the most appropriate speed and drive smoothly.

2. Don't idle
Consider shutting down your vehicle's engine if stopped in traffic for a lengthy period. A modern, fuel-injected engine consumes less than seven seconds worth of fuel on restart.

3. Cut down on gadgets
Running mechanical and electrical accessories decreases fuel economy. Roof racks and trailers spoil the aerodynamics. Operating the air-conditioner on its maximum setting can increase fuel consumption by up to 30%.

4. Maintain your vehicle
A poorly tuned engine burns more fuel, so fuel economy will suffer. Improperly aligned steering, under-inflated tires and poorly adjusted (binding) brakes can all contribute to lowering fuel economy.

5. Plan your trip
Frequent short trips and cold weather can really affect fuel economy. Don't leave your engine running to warm up before setting off. Drive to your furthest destination first and then stop at the closer destinations on your way back. This will ensure the car is warmed up for longer portions of your drive.

6. Don't speed
The faster you drive, the harder your vehicle has to work. Aerodynamic drag (wind resistance) increases significantly with speed and drag increases fuel consumption.

Kia Optima Hybrid is in the Guinness Book of World Records

2012-01-27T13:22:00.011-05:00

Great news from our plant in West Point, Georgia! The Kia Optima Hybrid has recently set a world record in the Guinness Book of World Records, for "Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous states in a gasoline hybrid car".

The trip consisted of two drivers, Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius and their luggage, as they travelled across all 48 states in the continental United States. The record breaking trip was over 7800 miles and took 14 days to complete. The Kia Optima Hybrid used only 5.5 tanks of gas during the trip. In order to break the World Record, the Optima Hybrid had to achieve and average fuel consumption of 52.27 mpg. The Optima Hybrid went above and beyond, getting over 64 mpg which beat the car's estimated mpg by over 61%.

Senior Executive Vice President and COO of KIA Motors Corporation, Thomas Oh, had this to say about the Optima Hybrid's amazing feat, "While travelling across the United States the Optima Hybrid experienced temperatures ranging from more than 118 degrees Fahrenheit to less than freezing point. The team climbed through the formidable Rocky mountain chain and negotiated rush hour traffic in Chicago, New York City and Las Vegas – which makes the Optima Hybrid’s fuel consumption figure all the more impressive"

One of the drivers, Wayne Gerdes, said this about the record-breaking car, “The remarkable economy figure we achieved included driving in all kinds of conditions, from straight open highway and deserts to gridlocked city traffic, so this really was the ultimate demonstration of the real-world fuel economy that any Optima Hybrid owner can achieve with attention to the details of their driving style.”

We are so excited to share this news with you and our community. We have a huge selection of Kia Optimas and some Optima Hybrids! We wanna see ya in a Guinness Book of World Records Kia! To schedule a test drive, give us a call at 850-576-2116, or stop by Kia Autosport of Tallahassee 2755 W Tennessee Street.

Kia Recall

2012-01-24T13:42:00.007-05:00

Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted a recall on certain 2007-08 Kia Optima’s and 2007-08 Rondos. The problem is with the clock spring assembly in the driver's side airbag, which may become damaged over time. If it is damage, it places high resistance on the electrical circuit, can prompt an airbag warning light on the instrument panel and compromise the airbag's ability to deploy. This could put drivers at risk for injury.

Although the recall has not been formally sent out to dealers and customers by KIA Motors, we are aware of the problem and are prepared to assist customers who are affected by this recall. KIA will provide a lifetime warranty for the driver's airbag clock spring contact assembly for vehicles covered under this recall, and Kia Autosport of Tallahassee will replace the vehicle's airbag clock spring as necessary, free of charge.

We haven't seen any vehicles in our dealership with this issue as of yet and not all vehicles in the 07-08 Optima and Rondo production are effected. To find out if your vehicle is included please contact our Service Manager, Jonathan Mullins, 850-576-2116. Jonathan and our staff are always available to answer any questions you may have about this recall or any other service related issues.

We appreciate your business.

We have the Hybrid!

2012-01-20T14:54:00.004-05:00

We just got the brand new Optima Hybrid! It gets an estimated 35/40mpg and has a 5 Star Crash Test Rating. It has the beautiful styling of the original Optima, and the gas mileage of a hybrid. We've got it open in our showroom, so come check it out!

10 Steps to Buying a New Car

2012-01-12T15:11:00.005-05:00

We found this great article from Edmunds about 10 steps you should take when buying a new car. The article discusses starting out, using incentives, pricing, how to find the exact car you want, trade-ins, negotiating price, closing and how to properly review your paperwork. We think its a great way to help you be as informed as possible before you make a big purchase, like a car.

Check it out here! http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/10-steps-to-buying-a-new-car.html

Happy New Year!

2012-01-10T14:18:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year from Kia Autosport! We had such a great year last year, added some great people to our family and to our staff. We cannot believe that it is already January! 2011 flew by so fast! We hope that you and your families had a great holiday and have a happy new year!

Kia Autosport Runs the Tallahassee Turkey Trot

2011-11-28T09:31:00.005-05:00

This year, Kia Autosport has been working towards a healthier lifestyle. We have been participating in a Biggest Loser competition, with prize money at stake, and have had over 5 people quit smoking. As part of our health initiative, we competed in the Tallahassee Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.

Again, there was prize money at stake. We dressed our Sales Manager, Bubba, in his turkey costume and set off on the 3.1 mile trek. Our new Finance Manager, Mark Sommers, won the overall prize, with a time of 26:36. Our intern, Kaitlyn, got second place and first female finisher within our competition with a time of 29:02. Brian, one of our service technicians brought in third place with a time of 29:10. As a team, Kia Autosport placed 8th. We have such a great time bonding and striving for a healthier lifestyle with each other's support!

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their families. We are so thankful to call you part of our family!

Join us on Saturday for a Breast Cancer Awareness Event!

2011-10-11T14:07:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, October 15, 2011 we are having a Breast Cancer Awareness Event at the Kia Autosport dealership. Representatives from the American Cancer Society and the Put on Your Pink Bra Campaign will be here answering your questions and handing out information about breast cancer.

Representatives from Cumulus and ClearChannel will be on site playing music and giving away prizes. There will sandwiches and sides from Julie's Place, provided by Cumulus Broadcasting.

Come on out to Kia Autosport on Saturday from 12:00 until 3:00 and help us raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Don't forget to wear pink!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2011-10-03T09:03:00.004-04:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are recognizing the month by helping to raise awareness and donating a portion of all of our sales this month to Breast Cancer research. Everyday we will be posting facts about breast cancer in hopes to increase conversation and decrease fear. Breast cancer can happen to anyone, even men, so doing monthly self exams is very important. Early dectection is key to a good outlook once cancer has been diagnosed. Here are some facts about breast cancer:

In the United States, about 230,480 new cases of invasion breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the year 2011.

About 57,650 women will be diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer in 2011

39,520 women will die from breast cancer in 2011.

You can increase your chances of survival with early detection. Self exams, regular clinical exams and mamograms starting at age 40 are so vital in early detection.

Introducing the 2012 Kia Rio Hatchback

2011-09-29T11:29:00.002-04:00

Consumer Reports just wrote a great article to introduce the new 2012 Kia Rio Hatchback! The Rio will start at $13,600. The Rio's fuel economy is estimated at 29 city/39 highway, which is aided by the new stop/start technology; if the car is stoped for more than a few seconds the engine is shut off. Take a look at the article and let us know what you think of the new Rio!!

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/09/pricing-2012-kia-rio-hatchback-starts-under-14000.html

ELC Month was a Success!

2011-09-07T08:43:00.006-04:00

ELC Month at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee has officially come to a close! We were so happy to have the local community's support and generosity throughout the month as we collected supplied for the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend. Without their support we would not have had the success with this event that we did! Just look at all the supplies we were able to Cram the Van with!!

We had hundreds of crayons and markers, colored pencils, construction paper, nap mats, scissors, glue and glue sticks, calculators, books, workbooks, learning flash cards and classroom cleaning supplies! Our General Manager, Melanie Lee, went to the ELC of the Big Bend to drop off the supplies on Thursday, September 1, 2011.

The ELC was overjoyed to see the amount of supplies we collected! Together, we are able to make a difference in the community by helping the ELC help kids get off to the right start in a brand new school year!

ELC Day at Kia Autosport

2011-08-23T13:29:00.002-04:00

On Saturday we had our big event here at the dealership, and it was so much fun! So many people came out and donated school supplies! We had 6 different radio stations broadcasting live from the delearship and gave away some AWESOME prizes! The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend was here and had fun activities for the kids. We had amazing bar-b-que from Smokin' Lo's too! If you missed it, you missed out on a great day!

We are still collecting school supplies for the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend until the end of the month, so if you have any extras please drop them off in our showroom! We'll register you to win a 2011 Kia Soul!! We want to send the kids back to school with the supplies they need for a successful school year!

Kia named car brand with lowest cost of ownership!

2011-08-16T13:21:00.005-04:00

Kelly Blue Book just released a report on the top 3 luxury and nonluxury brands with the lowest cost of ownership in the first five years. Kia was named the number one nonluxury brand! Another great reason to buy a Kia!

Check out the article!
http://www.eusedcarnews.com/newsletters/3166-audi-kia-earn-top-marks-by-kelley-blue-book?format=pdf

We are ready for some Florida State University Football!

2011-08-15T13:11:00.007-04:00

Yesterday we went to FSU Fan Day at the Leon County Civic Center. Over 7000 Florida State football fans came out to the civic center to meet the players and coaches, get their autographs and have their pictures taken with them.

Audrey at our booth at Fan Day

We had our own booth set up where we gave away over 500 reusable bags, coozies and t-shirts and had people sign up to a win a Kia Soul! We got a great opportunity to talk to thousands of people yesterday and had such a good time meeting them all! The kids loved to see our hamsters in the Kia Sorento and the sock monkey in the Kia Optima.

The FSU Cheerleaders couldn't get enough of the Sock Monkey and the new Kia Optima!

We are so excited for the kickoff of football season in just a few weeks! Be sure to come out to all ofthe Downtown Block Parties at Kleman Plaza every Friday evening before home games!! Make sure you and your family stop by our tailgate in front of the Unconquered Statue at the Oklahoma (9/17), NC State (10/29), and Miami (11/12) games! We are so excited to celebrate another Florida State football season! Go Noles!

Fans loved the new Optima and the Sock Monkey sporting his FSU football jersey!

August is ELC Month at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee

2011-08-01T13:48:00.004-04:00

The month of August is Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Month here at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee! We have a bunch of promotions and events going on throughout the month and are so excited to bring attention to this great organization!

The ELC is a non-profit organization that provides services for children, families and child care providers throughout the Big Bend. The ELC works with child care providers and families to help prepare children for success in school and support families' ability to work. Family support services include tuition assistance programs, child care information services, and community referrals support each families' individual success by connecting them to the information and resources they need in choosing a program that best meets their child's needs.

As summer draws to end and school supply shopping begins, we want to make sure that our youngest students have all of the supplies and materials they need. Did you know that thousands of local children will begin preschool this year? In partnership with the ELC, Kia Autosport of Tallahassee is helping our local preschools get ready for this school year by hosting a Pre-School Supply Drive!

All month long come help us Cram the Van with school supplies! With a donation you can register to win a Kia Soul all month long. Don't forget to mark your calendars on August 20th for a special event here at the Kia Autosport dealership. Representatives from the ELC will be here with play areas for the kids and information for parents! More details will be posted closer to the event date!

Supplies needed: books, paint, crayons, markers, paper, glue, scissors, nap mats, balls, cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes

Come help us Cram the Van with these items so that our local children can have a successful school year!

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

2011-07-27T14:19:00.006-04:00

Here at Kia Autosport we are getting really excited for football season!! We are planning the first Downtown Get Down Block Party and can't wait to see how many Seminoles fans come out! The first block party is going to be held on Friday, Septemeber 2nd. Country music star Justin Moore will have a free concert at Kleman Plaza. He's known for his current single "If Heaven Weren't So Far Away". There will be many more exciting block parties and tailgates to come as football season starts up! We will keep you posted on future block parties, tailgates and events here on our blog, on our Facebook and our Twitter!

Let's Go Noles!

What is everyone most looking forward to as the 2011 College Football Season approaches?

http://www.wctv.tv/sports/headlines/Justin_Moore_Headlines_Kickoff_Weekend_126225823.html

Getting Ready for the 4th of July!

2011-06-28T08:46:00.006-04:00

I hope everyone follows us on facebook. If for no other reason than to see the hillarious pictures we post of our sales managers in various costumes.

Here is an example:

I ordered the costumes for the 4th of July alittle early this year, so by doing so we had more time to put them to good use. What good use, you may ask?

A TV COMMERCIAL! Here is alittle preview:

We always get great feedback from our commercials, and we hope ya'll will love it! Of course, the most important part of our commercials are the deals and sales, so we are excited to announce some great specials and sales for the month of July. I can not believe how fast this summer is going, so we want to make sure all of our blog, facebook, and twitter followers are getting the most out of it as well!

Happy Summer & Let us know what you think about the July commercial!

Ps. for all of you Breanna lovers, there may be something in store for you as well in our new commercial!!

What Women Want

2011-06-24T08:35:00.002-04:00

We are so excited to be joining Cumulus Broadcasting in participating in What Women Want, an expo here in Tallahassee focusing entirely on women!

What Women Want is Tallahassee's premier women's expo. Since it's launch in 2010, over 2,000 women have attended to view a showcase of various fashion, finance, health and fitness products and services. The expo is hosted by Cumulus Radio Station's 96.1 Jamz and Star 98.9. For vendor information visit

2011 Kia Sportage Earns AutoPacific 2011 "Vehicle Satisfaction Award"

2011-05-23T02:13:00.000-04:00

Compact CUV Takes Top Honor in Compact Crossover SUV Category

- Kia CUV recognized by owners for delivering outstanding value and high levels of overall satisfaction

- 2011 Sportage pleases consumers with class-leading fuel economy (1), fun -to-drive performance, striking design, and comfort and convenience features

IRVINE, Calif., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2011 Kia Sportage has received numerous accolades since its launch and sales of the compact CUV have tripled since it hit showrooms last summer. Adding to its long list of awards, the 2011 Sportage has received an AutoPacific 2011 "Vehicle Satisfaction Award," based on positive feedback from Kia owners. Named the top vehicle in the Compact Crossover SUV category, Sportage scored 10-rating points higher than the second place product and received high marks from owners for delivering strong value and overall satisfaction in the category. The critically acclaimed 2011 Optima midsize sedan posted significant increases in positive owner feedback, ranking second in the Premium Mid-Size Car category while the Kia brand moved up twelve positions in the latest survey, one of the industry's largest increases.

"The 2011 Sportage has received overwhelmingly positive market feedback and attracted new consumers to the brand since it reached showrooms last year, thanks in large part to its unbeatable combination of world-class design, class-leading fuel efficiency, innovative technology features and long list of modern amenities," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "This latest award from AutoPacific not only highlights the brand's commitment to customer satisfaction, but underscores the fact that offering stylish, high-quality products at a compelling value and backed by an industry-leading warranty are factors that continue to resonate with consumers."

AutoPacific's study summarizes the results from more than 68,000 new vehicle owners to determine winners in each vehicle segment. The 2011 Sportage was selected for delivering value and high levels of satisfaction across 48 separate categories that objectively measure the ownership experience. In addition, the study helps consumers sort through the 262 car and truck nameplates presently available in the U.S. and make wise purchase decisions.

About the 2011 Kia Sportage

The 2011 Sportage CUV offers value-, image- and safety-conscious consumers increased levels of performance and efficiency, comfort and convenience, the latest in-vehicle technologies incorporated into all of Kia's latest new vehicles and an abundance of standard safety features. Retaining the functionality and versatility of the previous generation model, the 2011 Sportage also offers a sleek, modern and boldly styled package with new proportions and a completely new look. A "2010 Top Safety Pick" by IIHS, the all-new CUV received top ratings from IIHS for front, side, rollover and rear impact protection. The new Sportage SX features a powerful and efficient 2.0-liter, 260 horsepower Turbo GDI engine and unique exterior and interior features. Available in Base, LX, EX and SX trims, the 2011 Sportage features a starting MSRP of $18,295 (2).

Industry-Leading Warranty

The 2011 Sportage is covered by Kia's warranty program (3), which offers consumer protection at an exceptional value. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the vehicle coverage.

2011 Kia Motors America Product Line

Kia's model year 2011 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio sub-compact sedan, Rio5 sub-compact hatchback and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) 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 730 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

About AutoPacific

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.

Additional information can be found on AutoPacific's websites: www.autopacific.com and www.vehiclevoice.com.

(1) MPG claim for SX automatic transmission. EPA estimate for 2011 Sportage SX 2.0L Turbo GDI engine w/AT is 22 mpg/city and 27 mpg/hwy. Class-leading claim based on comparison to 2011 compact CUVs with turbocharged engines as of February 2011 of 2010 and available 2011 EPA city/hwy mpg estimates for compact CUVs with I4, turbocharged engines and V6 engines. Actual mileage may vary.

(2) Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRPs exclude $695 destination and handling fee, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

(3) All warranties are limited. See retailer for warranty details or go to kia.com.

Kia to Challenge Toyota with New Hybrids

2011-05-16T04:02:00.000-04:00

Kia Automotive Group will release its first hybrid vehicles this month, and has set its sights on taking a great leap in the global hybrid market, which is currently dominated by Toyota. The Japanese automaker has sold over three million units worldwide since it debuted the world's first mass-produced hybrid in 1997.

Kia will roll out the K5 gasoline-electric hybrid this month, targeting global sales of 11,500 units this year including 5,500 in the domestic market. It plans to expand worldwide sales to 20,000 next year.

Kia claims its models will outperform their Japanese rivals. The K5 hybrid boasts fuel efficiency of 21.7km/l, some 6.6 percent higher than the Toyota Camry's 19.7km/h. The latter is equipped with a 100kw electric motor that puts out 150 horsepower, while the K5 hybrid can produce the same performance with a smaller 30kw motor, making the vehicle lighter and more fuel efficient.

The Wounded Warrior Project

2011-05-10T11:42:00.003-04:00

For the entire month of May, we are commiting $50.00 from every vehicle sold to the Wounded Warrior Project! Make sure to check our facebook for daily facts and quotes from this amazing organization.

Just for a little laugh!

2011-05-09T02:17:00.001-04:00

Kia Rio Steps Into Suddenly Crowded Entry-Level Market

2011-04-29T01:24:00.001-04:00

2012 Kia Rio sedan

Shown on Thursday: 2012 Kia Rio sedan and hatchback.

Is it real? The 2012 Kia Rio is the Korean company’s redesigned entry-level model.

What they said: Kia has good reason to boast; the company’s sales are robust, and the cars look like segment leaders. But did we really need to know the Rio’s seat foam was soy-based and biodegradable? The 2012 Rio looks much too nice to compost.

What makes it tick? Power is provided by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Kia has also fitted the Rio with stop-start technology, which shuts off the engine when idling in traffic or stopped at a light. Once the driver releases the brake pedal, the engine restarts automatically. Kia says the Rio will return 40 m.p.g. in highway driving.

How much? How soon? The Rio sedan and hatchback start at $12,990. The hatchback version of the Rio goes on sale this summer, while the sedan arrives in the autumn.

How’s it look? Is it O.K. to lust after a Kia economy car? Those urban-dwelling hamsters in the Kia Soul commercials are awfully cute, but it’s the company’s new styling that deserves credit for making the brand’s products such attractive propositions.

2012 Kia Rio sedan unveiled at New York show

2011-04-21T01:33:00.000-04:00

Kia has unveiled the North American version of the Kia Rio sedan at the New York International Auto Show in the US. The compact sedan shares the same platform as the Kia K2 unveiled at Auto Shanghai a couple of days ago only it features a face that more closely resembles the Kia Rio hatch.

The chassis and undercarriage of the Kia Rio sedan is largely the same as that found on the hatch version. Similarly, the interior is configured in much the same way as the hatch, with minor revisions/feature changes here and there.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.6 GDI four-cylinder petrol engine offering 100kW of power. This is tied to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is also matched to a stop/start system which increases fuel economy in traffic conditions.

Kia Australia has previously said the Kia Rio sedan will make its way Down Under some time in quarter 4 of this year.

Whether or not it will look exactly like this US version is still yet to be officially confirmed.

Kia to debut revised 2012 Kia Soul at NY show

2011-04-18T01:50:00.000-04:00

Kia will unveil an updated version of its popular Soul hatchback at next week’s New York International Auto Show. The updated 2012 Soul will debut alongside Kia’s all-new 2012 Rio sedan.

Kia is keeping most of the Soul’s changes a secret, we know the 2012 model will arrive with new LED projector headlights that are “slightly bulged giving the overall shape of the Soul a smoother, more streamlined silhouette.”

But most of the changes to the 2012 Soul will focus on the car’s drivetrain. Kia says the 2012 Soul will feature increased power and dramatically improved fuel economy, which should reach 35mpg on the highway.

Although we don’t have word on what engines might power the 2012 Soul, Kia will replace the car’s four-speed automatic and five-speed manual gearboxes with six-speed units.

Stay tuned for more....

FSU Spring Football Weekend!

2011-04-14T09:19:00.002-04:00

It is Thursday, so we hope that everyone is getting excited for the weekend! We have a lot going on this weekend, so we want to make sure everyone stays in the loop.

Friday: Downtown Getdown to celebrate a weekend of Florida State football. There will be tons of entertainment for everyone; FSU's own Jake Owen will be performing as well as local favorite, Eli! We will have a tent next to Andrew's Bar & Grill.

Saturday: We will be in front of the Renegade statue!

ALL WEEKEND we will be accepting donations of canned goods for America's Second Harvest of The Big Bend; with your donation, you can ROLL THE DICE for a chance to win $20,000!

We hope to see everyone out for a weekend of FSU football, local entertainment, and a chance to win $20,000 while helping our community!

KIA Motors Now One Of Savannah Port's Top Importers

2011-04-13T19:38:00.000-04:00

Nice car! What is it,” the waitress asked as she brought us our food. She’d seen us drive up in a Spicy Red 2011 Kia Optima SX and she was interested — in the car, of course.

2011-04-12T00:54:00.000-04:00

Nice car! What is it,” the waitress asked as she brought us our food. She’d seen us drive up in a Spicy Red 2011 Kia Optima SX and she was interested — in the car, of course.
“It’s a brand new Kia Optima,” I replied.
“Oh,” the waitress said, crestfallen. “My mom says those aren’t very good cars.”
I wanted to point out the French seam on the dashboard leather, pop the hood and show off the all-new turbine housing that channels air to reduce turbo lag, let her take the car and floor it on a highway offramp, all just to prove her wrong.
It’s the automaker’s curse: You’re known not by your current lineup, but by whatever now-irrelevant crap you foisted on the public 20 years ago. It explains why, for legions of car buyers, General Motors is defined by the plastic-paneled Lumina APV but Mercedes is remembered as the builder of the rock-solid E300.
Hyundai, who shares a corporate parent with Kia but entered the U.S. market eight years earlier, is already gaining legions of fans who are impressed with a good car, not just the car’s good price. Kia remains new enough that it’s unfairly still considered a budget brand also-ran in most circles. (Are you listening, Geely, BYD and Tata?)
If Kia has any chance of lifting the curse, however, it’s with the Optima, a solid car that exceeds all the requirements of a family four-door. It’s the first, and so far only, Korean car to get perfect scores in NHTSA crash tests, and the 100,000-mile drivetrain warranty inspires even more confidence than a short test drive.
Though Kia’s Optima and the Hyundai Sonata share parents, a platform and a powertrain, the two siblings couldn’t be more different. The Sonata grew up to be a pharmaceutical salesman with a modest wine collection, while the Optima owns his own construction firm and plays flag football on the weekends. In LX and EX trim, it’s a sporty and stylish competitor to the Accord and Camry.
Check off the “SX” box, however, and you’ve got an entirely different animal, one that has no living competition.
The 18-inch brushed-aluminum wheels appear to have been pilfered from Big Ben’s innards, while the side skirts, spoiler and lower front and rear bumpers mimic a Gulfstream V on final approach. Also exclusive to the SX are HID headlights, LED tail lamps, paddle shifters and alloy pedals.
The gas direct injection (GDI) turbo four — also available in the PG-rated EX trim — uses all kinds of technical wizardry to get 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque out of an engine that still promises 34 mpg highway and 22 mpg city. We had a lot of fun driving the car over the course of 500 miles and still managed 27 mpg.
Punch the gas and power is instantaneous and dramatic, with not even a hint of turbo lag. Still, around-town driving remains placid. Even at full throttle, the interior stays quiet with the exception of road noise from the low-profile tires.
The SX’s stiffer suspension makes for a harsher ride over potholes but offers more confidence in corners. Steering, however, is unnecessarily heavy and, at times, feels numb. It does the job, though, as there’s not even a hint of torque steer, and the car gripped the roads even during rainstorms.
Inside, the cabin feels comfortably classic and could be considered a modern evolution of the automobile dashboard had right angles not been banished in the mid-’90s. Even with the sharp roof line, our tester’s heated and cooled back seat has ample room for three medium-size adults, and visibility is not compromised. The dual-panel sunroof is a nice touch, as is the cooled glove box, straightforward nav system and backup camera.
We’re not crazy about the leather-with-mesh trim seats that look more like a pair of New Balance cross trainers than premium upholstery, and we wish the fancy but vestigial “trip info” screen would interact with the main nav screen. For instance, the smaller screen could show turn-by-turn directions while the main screen is being used to change the radio station.
Small gripes aside, this is still an impressive car that leaves us with only one question: Who is this car’s target audience? Our tester, as equipped, had a sticker price of $30,840. The only similarly optioned cars in the same price range and with the same attitude are pre-owned Nissan Maximas and Acura TLs.
Perhaps Kia is targeting the SX squarely at skeptical Americans, hoping a “halo car” can generate buzz and move foot traffic into showrooms. By building an eye-catching sport sedan, Kia is hoping that buyers will also take a look at the practical and modestly priced LX and EX models.
And maybe, just maybe, they might convince that waitress’ mom.

WIRED Proof it’s high time to start taking Kia very seriously. Impressive performance and fuel economy from the turbo four-cylinder engine for not a lot of money. Earns perfect scores in crash-safety tests. Quiet and comfortable on the inside, flashy and dangerous-looking on the outside.

Hyundai-Kia Leads Small Car Market in U.S. for 1st Time

2011-04-10T23:01:00.000-04:00

Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group topped the small car market in the U.S. for the first time in the first quarter of this year, slightly outpacing Toyota.

The Korean automakers sold a combined 81,424 small cars there in the three month period on the back of strong sales of the new Hyundai Elantra (Avante in Korea) and Kia Soul, compared to Toyota's 81,418. Kia's Forte compact also showed a steady rise in the U.S., with its market share rising from 12.5 percent in 2009 to 16.7 percent.
"The new Optima has been very popular since its launch in the U.S. early this year, while sales of Japanese cars have been sluggish amid the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami," Prof. Park Chan-hee of Chungang University said.

With its sleek style and high fuel efficiency of over 14km/l, the Optima has been well received in the U.S. Independent consumer watchdog Consumer Reports on Wednesday named the Optima its top pick in the small car category.

Hyundai and Kia also achieved record performance in the overall U.S. car market in March, with sales jumping 32 percent to a combined 106,000 cars, taking up 8.5 percent of the market. By contrast, Toyota saw its market share fall to 14.1 percent from 17 percent a year ago, with sales of 176,000 cars in March

2011 Optima brings Kia closer to a New Image

2011-04-01T14:22:00.000-04:00

If I say "the ultimate driving machine," you can name the car, picture the car's styling and characterize its handling. That comes from decades of deliberate brand-building. Today, BMW's styling is fairly conservative, but its identity is firmly established.

If you're Kia, it's a different story.

When it was an independent automaker, Kia built some questionable machines. Now as an affiliate of Hyundai, many Kia vehicles use Hyundai underpinnings, and in some cases are built in the same plant. But its prior reputation lingers. What's a company to do when its brand's equity is spent? Hire Peter Shreyer as your design director. Once an employee at Audi, Shreyer has brought a funky sophistication to Kia's styling. First came the Soul, followed by the Sorento, Sportage and now the Optima. With each new vehicle, Shreyer has upped the wattage, endowing the marque's new products with a powerful visual presence that throws down the gauntlet: Kia is no longer a punch line.

Nothing states that more powerfully than the Optima, Kia's midsize front-wheel-drive sedan.

The Optima shares its mechanical package with the popular Hyundai Sonata. Certainly, the Sonata's flowing style is stunning, but the Kia's is even more so.

This car's styling is a feast for the eyes. The upper shape of the grille is repeated on the upper edge of the windshield. A small vent accents the front fenders. A chrome spear arches across the top of the side windows. The rear boasts styling so sophisticated, you'd think it's from an Audi.

The Optima comes in 3 trim levels: base LX, mid-level EX and top-of-the-line SX. LX and EX models come with a 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available on the LX. The EX also can be fitted with a 274-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to the automatic transmission. It's standard on the SX.

Kia Motors America delivered an EX with the base engine for a week of testing.

The performance didn't surprise me; it was similar to the Hyundai Sonata. The car feels agile, thanks to quick steering and a suspension that keeps body motions in check. The ride is comfortable. You'll notice bumps, but only the worst ones pound through. Body motions are well controlled. The cabin is quiet, although there was modest tire and road noise.

Braking was effective. Anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control, front and side air bags, and "Hill Start Assist Control," which prevents you from rolling backward on a hill when accelerating from a stop, are standard. But it's the sheer number of features that makes the car a compelling value: rear back-up camera, panoramic sunroof, satellite radio, navigation system, heated and cooled front seats, leather seating surfaces, heated rear seats, driver's seat memory, heated steering wheel, push-button start, keyless entry, air-conditioned glove box, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, express down front power windows and automatic headlamps.

I can hear you say, "Sure, Printz, you armchair hedonist. How much does it cost?"

How about less than $28,000?And it's more than price

The cabin is roomy, with good accommodations for four (five if they're related). That said, the rear seat's upswept side window styling and low roof lend a claustrophobic feel to the rear, but legroom is generous. The front seat is very firm, but flat, with minimal side bolsters

And the trunk? Big enough to head for Wally World.

Being based on the Sonata, the Optima should prove to be reliable

That said, I did have one glitch: The car had great difficulty holding the Sirius Satellite Radio signal, a problem I have heard about anecdotally from other Kia owners. But that wouldn't be enough to prevent me from popping for one of these.

While the Optima shares its name with its bland predecessor, the 2011 model has shed its rental car skin and emerged reborn.

Sad News

2011-03-22T11:21:00.000-04:00

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Kia Looks to Add Workers in Georgia

2011-03-21T07:11:00.000-04:00

IRVINE, Calif.—Kia Motors Corp. is preparing to add a third shift at its plant in Georgia that makes the Sorento sport-utility vehicle, U.S. executives said.

The South Korean car maker is taking applications for the position at its West Point, Georgia plant, but hasn't finalized the move. The same plant also makes the Hyundai Santa Fe. Kia is partially owned by Hyundai and shares engineering and some manufacturing, but has separate sales and marketing.

"We are looking at a third shift, at hiring employees to be prepared for a third shift if demand should continue to run," said Tom Loveless, vice president for sales at Kia Motors America in an interview.

The Sorento made up about 30% of Kia's sales last year, but the newly redesigned Optima sedan is selling very well, helping to boost the company's U.S. sales up 31% this year so far and increase its market share.

Optima sales are up 54% through the first two months of the year. Kia is gaining market share and was one of three brands, including Subaru and Hyundai, that increased sales during the steep drop in U.S. demand in 2009.

The plant in Georgia, which was finished in February 2010, can build cars, but there are no plans right now to move production from Korea, where all of Kia's other vehicles are produced, Mr. Loveless said.

Demand for Kia's vehicles globally may constrain the company's ability to supply cars if the U.S. market grows beyond 13.5 million units this year, he said.

Kia Soul Named #5 Coolest Car Under $18,000

2011-03-17T15:41:00.001-04:00

The 2010 Kia Soul combines the versatility of a sub-compact cargo van, the confident style of a bull dog fashion model and tech-friendliness rivaling the Geek Squad's. It's one modern mix of cool, with a standard equipment list that includes Bluetooth phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod integration.

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/coolest-cars-5

2011 Egg Drop!

2011-03-11T13:53:00.004-05:00

In case you missed it, the dealership hosted a dealership wide egg drop last Friday. Melanie split up the entire dealership into teams of two and they were then instucted to construct a box of 6" by 6" that would hold the egg.

Let me be the first to say, we were all surprised how seriously most of the teams took this task. Some of the boxes were filled entirely with jello, garbage, styrofoam, gel beads, and most importantly...peanut butter. We have a full album posted on facebook. Please go look!

The twenty-one teams were split into 5 heats, and so it began. 1PM rolled around faster than any of us expected, and so began the measuring and handing out of the eggs.

The majority of the teams passed the first drop, so we quickly moved onto a higher drop to knock out more teams' containers.

Personally, I was nervous that we were going to be there all afternoon trying to get some of these containers to break.

Thankfully, Melanie attends crossfit (a local gym), so she was able to begin putting a lot more effort into the throws in hopes of getting some of these eggs to break!

Finally, with the help of Omar George, one of our sales associates, who began throwing them against the wall (see the video..it will make more sense.) We were able to call a tie! Dwayne & Tony Mac with their "Princess" Box and Darren & Joe Prez with their "Peanut Butter" Box were the reigning champs!

See our facebook page for pictures & videos!

2011 Kia Sorento Named to 'Top 10 Family Cars of 2011' List by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

2011-02-24T14:22:00.001-05:00

First Kia Vehicle Built in the U.S.(1) is Lauded For Superior Mix of Ride, Handling and Interior Appeal

- Stylish, family-friendly CUV combines fuel efficiency and spacious interior for the best of both world
- Kia's best-selling vehicle offers families a child-friendly option at an outstanding value

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2011 Kia Sorento CUV has received a lot of attention since arriving in January 2010, and that trend continues this week as Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com names the compact CUV one of the "Top 10 Family Cars of 2011." Recognized for its exceptional mix of ride and handling as well as a stylish and functional interior, the 2011 Sorento has achieved a number of historic firsts for Kia, including becoming the company's first vehicle to surpass 100,000 units in a single year and being the first vehicle built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Georgia.
The Sorento combines Kia's distinctive design language with a comprehensive list of standard safety, convenience and technology features and was named a 2010 "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
"Sorento's recognition as one of the 'Top 10 Family Cars of 2011' by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is well deserved with its striking design and standout combination of performance, safety equipment and family friendly features," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. "As one of several recently introduced and dynamically styled products from Kia, Sorento accounts for more than 30 percent of our sales volume, making it the most popular vehicle in the Kia lineup."

Editors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com judged vehicles based on characteristics that make vehicles family-friendly, including safety, comfort, economy of operation, child-friendliness, a reasonable purchase price and good resale value. The kbb.com editors believe that all of the worthy vehicles on this year's "Top 10 Family Cars of 2011" list will provide an excellent ownership experience for the families who choose to make them their own.
"The 2011 Kia Sorento is our new favorite in what we often label the two-and-a-half-row segment," say editors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "If you need three rows on a daily basis or plan on putting adults in the way back, you'll be better served by something larger. But if your three-row needs are occasional and involve at least a couple elementary-schoolers, the 2011 Kia Sorento is a more affordable, more fuel-efficient, more maneuverable alternative. A superior mix of ride, handling and interior appeal helped cement the Sorento's spot on this year's list of 'Top 10 Family Cars'."
About the 2011 Kia Sorento
The 2011 Sorento, the first vehicle to roll off the line at Kia's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, encompasses both the brand's signature design cues as well as its distinct combination of value, safety and style. The 2011 Sorento, which has been Kia's best-selling vehicle each month since going on sale in January 2010, offers consumers a well-equipped, well-appointed CUV, suited perfectly for the fun, dynamic and discerning driver. Available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the 2011 Sorento features a starting MSRP of $22,395 (2).

2011 Kia Motors America Product Line
Kia's model year 2011 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio sub-compact sedan, Rio5 sub-compact hatchback and Sedona minivan.

Whale of a Sale

2011-02-23T11:11:00.004-05:00

We are so excited to announce our partnership with the Tallahassee Junior League. We are one of their proud sponsors for the 2011 Whale of a Sale!

The Whale of a Sale what some may call a garage sale; it features gently used, quality merchandise at prices.We hear that the day of the sale is a sight to see within itself. Outside of the sale will be our first Tent Sale of 2011! We will have tons of cars and our salesteam to help customers out at the sale. The actual sale starts at 8am and goes to 3pm at the former Goody's location in the Tallahassee Mall.

The reason We, at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee, have chosen to sponsor this event is that all the money raised flows back to the community through the Junior Leagues various charities. The Junior League focuses on children and families throughout Tallahassee. From Operation Prom Dress, Fostering Hope, Kids Boutique, and Kids in the Kitchen; we share in The Junior League's dedication to serving a community.

As if the sale, within itself, is not exciting, there is a pre-party THIS Friday from 6-10pm at the same location as Saturday's sale. The tickets to this are $25.00 day of, and the party features food and drinks catered by The University Club of Tallahassee, a live auction, entertainment, and of course view our 2011 Kia Lineup! For tickets and more information please visit www.jltallahassee.org.

Information for both events are posted on our Facebook Page!

2011 Kia Optima nabs another honor

2011-02-17T21:53:00.000-05:00

The midsize sedan is among the Top 10 Cars to Look Forward to this year.

2011 Kia Optima
Available today at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee

Irvine-based Kia Motors America continues to garner praise for its 2011 Optima model. The auto has earned a spot on CarsDirect.com's list of the Top 10 Cars to Look Forward to this year.

Editors for the Los Angeles-based online vehicle-buying service singled out the Optima as being well-equipped and a “stand-out” among other sedans, and stated that it was poised to overthrow the mainstays in the midsize vehicle class.

"Optima's latest recognition as one of the ‘Top 10 Cars to Look Forward to in 2011' by CarsDirect.com is a tribute to its stunning design, fun-to-drive performance and tremendous value," said Michael Sprague, vice president for marketing and communications at Kia Motors America.

Among other recognitions, the model also has garnered attention as a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a Best New Model by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and was named on Cars.com’s Best of 2011 list.

"The all-new Optima adds world-class style and emotion to our award-winning vehicle line," said Sprague

Move Over, Toyota: Kia’s Moment May Have Finally Arrived

2011-02-15T17:37:00.000-05:00

Here’s another reason why Kia (KIMTF.PK) isn’t just a flash in the pan: A recent study from Experian Automotive gave Kia the No. 1 model in terms of brand loyalty — plus two other slots in the top 10. Stalwarts Toyota (TM) and Lexus, by contrast, didn’t even crack the top 10.

Kia and its corporate cousin, Hyundai (HYMLF.PK), have posted big sales increases in the U.S. market the last few years in a row, including a 19 percent increase for Kia in 2010, to 356,000. That was a U.S. record for the brand. Kia and Hyundai both belong to South Korea’s Hyundai Group.

Win them over, then hold onto ‘em

Now it looks as if Kia isn’t just attracting people — it’s keeping them, too. In the third quarter of 2010, almost 70 percent of Kia Forte owners who bought a car bought another Kia, according to Experian. That made it the No. 1 model in loyalty for the quarter. The Kia Soul and the Kia Sorento were also in the Top 10.

That result isn’t just a fluke, either. In the latest J.D. Power Customer Retention Study, which was published in December, Kia was No. 4. Hyundai was in a three-way tie for No. 2 with Toyota and Lexus. Ford was No. 1. According to J.D. Power, the auto industry average loyalty rate is only 48 percent.

Need an Extra $25.00?

2011-02-10T16:42:00.002-05:00

Everyone can use an extra $25.00 right?

Well, we have just the event for you!

Follow the directions at this link. All you have to do is come down to our dealership and test drive a 2011 Optima!

http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/partner/KIA/optima-launch/op2_sem.html

We hope to see you soon!

Kia Fortes Are Taking Over The World!

2011-02-03T12:00:00.006-05:00

"Kia's Forte appears to be attempting to take over the world. It's available as a sedan and a coupe, and later on, as a 5-door hatchback.

For now, though, since this is a family-car Web site, the question is, is the Forte Koup a good choice for families?

Let's start with the basics. The Forte Koup shares 2.0- and 2.4-liter four-cylinder powertrains with its sedan brother. The smaller engine can be paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, while 2.4-liters can be matched to a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. There are three trims: base LX, EX, and sport-themed SX. Koups are only available in EX and SX guise. My tester was an SX with the 6-speed manual and the 173-horsepower 2.4-liter.

The base price was $17,500, and standard features included 17-inch wheels, satellite radio, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, USB and auxiliary input jacks, a wireless cell phone link, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and more. Safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front-side airbags, and side-curtain airbags.

Leather seat trim and heated front seats were added at no apparent extra cost. Including the $695 destination fee, the total came to $18,195.

Coupes are primarily aimed at singles or positioned as fun second cars for families. But that doesn't mean they can't be good family cars.

Certainly older kids and taller adults don't like being stuffed into the rear seat of most two doors. But I fit just fine in a very quick, unscientific test. The back seat is bigger than it looks.

The large rear trunk will also appeal to families. But otherwise, this is a sporty coupe, and it's meant to be driven as such.

Forte Koup is surprisingly quick under heavy throttle, although it will never be mistaken for a Corvette. Floor it on an empty road, and it scoots away with no trouble, but it won't scare you.

What is scary is the clutch. Its take-up is maddeningly inconsistent, with a tendency to snag as the clutch is engaged. This makes for a decidedly non-smooth driving experience. Give the engine too much throttle as you move away from a stop and torque steer kicks in. Try and feather the throttle, and you risk stalling. I felt like I was in driver's ed again. The lack of smoothness continues when engaging the clutch after an upshift.

Ride is a bit on the stiff side, but not back-breaking. Handling is flat and stable in corners, and high speeds don't faze the Koup's stability. The biggest negative here? A need for constant mid-corner corrections. At least the steering is nicely weighted.

The interior is handsome, and the exterior styling is sharp, if a bit on the boring side. One flaw: The roofline is a bit low for taller folks. Folks with spiky hair might find it flattened after a long drive.

Fuel economy is a draw for cars this size. The Koup is rated at 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. I managed 26.4 mpg in 225 miles of city and highway driving--not too bad, when a couple of full-blast acceleration runs were factored in.

In the end, the Forte Koup does not a great family car make, but it's passable as far as sporty coupes go, thanks to its big trunk and decent rear-seat space. But as a compact coupe, it functions well. It's not quite a Civic-beater, but it's darn close."

-familycarguide.com, contributing writer Tim Healy

2011 Kia Sportage - Official Photos and Info - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

2011-01-27T11:19:00.000-05:00

2011 Kia Sportage - Official Photos and Info - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

Thanks to Everyone Who Came Out Last Week!

2011-01-20T11:32:00.004-05:00

I just wanted to take a second to let ya'll know how thankful we are for everyone who came out on Thursday!

We had a great night with Boyd & Wood, Piggys BBQ, and all of our family members who came out to see the new Optima and Sportage.

We gave away all of the prizes we had, and we've already gotten a Thank You card from one of the recepiants of a gift certificate to Sweat Therapy Fitness!

I know that I've already posted an article on the Optima, so stay tuned for an article about the 2011 Sportage!

Has It Really Been A Year Already?

2011-01-10T14:40:00.002-05:00

It is that time again...Launch Party!

We are so excited for our 2011 Launch Party that is happening THIS Thursday at 6pm!

We are hosting Piggy's BBQ, the local radio stations, AND Boyd and Woody Hayes!

There will be FREE dinner, LIVE entertainment, and a chance to WIN some great prices!!

Last but not least, Wolf 103.1 will be raffling off George Strait and Reba McEntire Tickets!

We are so glad to have an amazing inventory on our lot, and we want all of our readers to come down and help us launch our 2011 vehicles!!

Look forward to seeing you all out here; for more information see our facebook page event!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T11:44:00.002-05:00

We want to take a second to wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas!

Kia Loves The Salvation Army

2010-12-06T13:50:00.003-05:00

One of our biggest goals at the dealership is to serve our community. During the holidays, we focus our efforts toward the Salvation Army. As if you could not tell from the giant kettle on the top of this blog, we take a kettle everywhere we go: in our showroom, to our FSU game displays, downtown to our Friday Night Blockparty Events, and every Friday to Wal-Mart!

Most recently, we hosted an event at the dealership in an effort to bring out our family members. We offered a 32" Flat Screen TV in an effort to encourage donations. We were blown away by the generosity of our family members! We are still accepting donations; The TV will be given away on the 19th of December; Come by the dealership with a new toy, new piece of clothing, new pair of shoes, or a canned good, and we will enter you to win that TV!

Not only did the radio station give away prizes on Saturday, we hosted Santa! Check out our facebook page for all of our happy family members with Santa!

Since there are over 800 kids in need in Tallahassee, as a dealership, we took over 30 children's names to put on our christmas tree. As of Saturday, all of the children's names have been taken off and accounted for.

On a final note, each of us can attest to asking for a bike for Christmas (and probably recieving it). This year, our General Manager, Melanie Lee purchased 150 bikes for children in need! We are so thanful to have someone so generous as our General Manager! As if Saturday was not successful enough, we had a surprise visit from Dan and Avalon Rocawich! They heard our advertisement and took it upon themselves to donate 25 bikes!

The BDC & ThE 2011 Sorento

2010-12-02T09:52:00.002-05:00

Today is Thursday, so as promised, I am posting an article about one of our top-sellers!

The Sorento is easily one of our family members' favorite cars. Our general manager, Melanie Lee swears by hers. I am glad that Car and Driver agrees!

2011 Kia Sorento - Second Drive - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

Not only are we glad to have such a great vehicle on our lot, but here at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee, we are also glad to have such a great Internet Department!

When I first started working here, I kept hearing "BDC", "BDC". All I could think was "WHAT IS THE BDC & WHAT DO THEY DO??" So 6 months later, I finally decided to get an indepth definition of who they are! To all of my loyal readers, I'd like to introduce you to some of our most important family members...

"Hello, I'm Cindy, the BDC Supervisor. As a part of the BDC, I can say that we greatly appreciate your business, and we try to go above and beyond expectations when assisting our customers. When recomending a car, I always go to the 2011 Forte Koup. It is,in my own opinion, our most sporty and attractive car!"

"My name is Monica, and as a part of the Kia AutoSport family for over three years, we aim to provide customers with the information they need to make an informed buying decision. A year and half ago, I purchased my very own Kia Sorento. Being a previous Volvo, Honda, Isuzu and Toyota owner I can vow Kia is hands down the best vehicle on the market for the quality of vehicle you receive for an un-beatable price. The safety, comfort, performance and handling my Sorento offers is unlike any vehicle I have driven and has always guaranteed I arrivesafe and sound for my long 500miles drive home to visit my family. Kia AutoSport’s service team makes sure my Sorento is in tip-top shape to assure the maximal performance from my vehicle. The new 2011 Sorentos are so stunning; I may have to get in on the incredible lease programs we are offering right now. Call me, Monica Garcia, to find out how you can take advantage of this and many more offers and become a satisfied Kia owner just like me! Se habla Espanol =)”

The 2011 Kia Optima is here!!!!

2010-11-26T15:23:00.003-05:00

Talk about a change...the 2011 Kia Optima has quickly become one of our favorite vehicles around the dealership. For those who have driven it, no one can deny the amount of horse power this model pocesses. I found a review in the LA Times, and I do not know if I agree with their assessment of the seat cushions, but I wanted to share a review.

Stay tuned for next week, there will be a guest blogger who shares their experience with the 2011 Kia Optima.

2011 Kia Optima drives toward top of its class

Kia Autosport Supports The Fight Against Breast Cancer

2010-10-05T10:35:00.005-04:00

In 2009, an estimated 192,370 women in the United States were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 40,610 women were expected to die from the disease.

Breast Cancer is a disease that Kia Autosport is dedicated to fighting. We, as a family, are showing our support in several ways. I urge all of our dedicated readers to take a second and join us however you can.

All of our employees are wearing pink ribbons in an effort to show our support in the smallest way, but we know there is so much more we are capable of doing...

For the entire month of October, Kia Autosport will donate $50.00 to the American Cancer Society for every new or used Kia sold. Our goal is to sell 100 cars and write a check for $5,000! Melanie has informed me that when we make that goal, we will DOUBLE the amount. LETS MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

We are partnering with Cumulus Broadcasting all month to fight breast cancer. We are hosting an event on October 23rd that we hope to see everyone at! I'll blog again with more details on how to get involved, so i hope to see all of our family members there. Rumor has it, we'll have some goodies to give away!

Breast Cancer has effected all of us in some way, so for that reason, Kia Autosport knows just how important this fight is. We'd love to see ya'll help too!

And remember, breast cancer does not just affect women; In 2009, about 1,910 men in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer. If this is not a worthy cause, I do not know what is!

Meet Ryan Sprague!

2010-09-24T11:31:00.004-04:00

We are so happy to support Ryan Sprague's latest endeavor. As if walking on to the FSU Football team wasn't enough, Ryan Sprague has written a book! "Grateful" was released three weeks ago, and ever since then Ryan has been with us at the Friday Night Block Party.

"Ryan Sprague takes you onto the field, into the huddle and inside the heart and mind of a Florida State football player, offering both the unique perspective of passionate walk-on and the life-long lessons and unforgettable memories of a national champion."

-Dave Glenn, ACC Sports Journal, ACCSports.com

Coming Soon: an interview with Ryan!

Do you have Friday night plans?

2010-09-13T16:16:00.002-04:00

Everyone in Tallahassee knows what the weekends mean: FOOTBALL!

As if tailgating, celebrating, and cheering all day Saturday wasn't enough; here in Tallahassee, we like our football activities to start early...say, 5:00 on Friday.

Sure you could celebrate at some random restuarant's happyhour, but every true fan knows there is one place you go: Downtown. Ever since most of us Tallahassee locals and/or lifetime Seminole fans can remember, we've been going to the Friday Night Downtown Getdowns. Upon realizing that this was directed primarily towards families and children, ISP Sports began the "Adult Downtown Getdown."

This year, Kia Autosport is proud to be sponsoring the Friday night Blockparty; an adult centered event in Kleman Plaza. Last week we handed out re-usable grocery bags and entered people to WIN a 2010 Kia Forte. There is a live band, various restuarants, and plenty of adult beverages, so come spend your Friday night with us.

...And remember, Kia wants to see ya at the Blockparty!

It's The End of The Month Already?

2010-08-31T16:52:00.002-04:00

One thing that I have learned is that the end of the month is the craziest time of the month. I basically spend my entire day in silence attempting to stay out of everyone else's way.

Its the time in which we all try to get the most done with out making anyone else mad. This sounds like an easy task, but trust me when I say, it really is not.

At Kia Autosport, any of us will say that the other was a part of our family, and as most of us know, being apart of a family means ups and downs. love and hate. Well, the end of the month brings a lot more hate than love.

I'm sure anyone and everyone who has worked at a car dealership (or any place of business that deals with bills) can understand this.

It's not so much the bills that cause everyone to run around like their hair on fire, its those people who don't PAY their bills.

Today I witnessed four, normally calm/cool/collected adult women (myself included) run around in an effort to find information on an individual who wrote a bad check. I doubt my bosses would appreciate me giving out the dirty details, but all I'm saying is that, this check was worth all of our time to find this person and all of their personal information necessary to file charges.

With that being said, I would hate for people to get the idea that we are out to send people to jail. On the contrary, we just like to uphold agreements.

My agreement to you, as Kia's PR/Marketing Intern, is that I will keep my faithful (and few) readers updated on what a day in the life at KIA is really like. or at least an edited version of it.

Slackin' off...

2010-08-24T12:09:00.004-04:00

So, I have to apologize. I have been slacking off in the blogging department!

Theres been a lot going on recently, so I wanted to post a bit of a sneak peak on things to come.

We've been doing employee interviews on the Flip Cam; its been an interesting experience getting to know all the people around the dealership. We have some hillarious staff members who are so dedicated to our customers...its been such a pleasure to interview and film them. A few of the videos are already up on facebook, so if you're a fan of our page (and you should be if you're not!) check them out.

We are gearing up for Seminole football! Incase you did not know; Melanie Lee, our GM, is a HUGE football fan. For the first time ever, we are pairing up with ISP Sports for their blockparty. Make sure to come by and see us; I'm working on getting some goodies to give out!

We are already thinking of basketball season; we are working on our ad for the 2010-2011 season. I've got to admit that I am alittle stumped. Any ideas?

Last but not least, Bubba lost a bet:

Training for the 2011 SPORTAGE!

2010-08-12T13:52:00.005-04:00

Today was an exciting day at the dealership; our sales team spent the morning with a KIA Motors rep. The rep was here to educate our team on the functions and features of the 2011 Sportage.

In an effort to be able to blog about the training, I sat in and snapped pictures & tried to take some notes. One thing that I took away from the training was that KIA is trying to pull in male customers to a car that has been dominated by female customers.

"The 2011 Sportage also has Duval CVVT, which is great because it adjusts the time of both the intake and exhaust valves. By doing so, it delivers an optimal performance and excellent fuel efficiency."

"My favorite part of training was learning about the Sportage's various comfort and convenience features; an example of this is its incomparable 31 MPG gas mileage."

According to the KIA rep, the 2011 Sportage is "dead sexy." the sales team decided that I absolutely needed to include this in the blog.

"KIA is using European styling in an effort to influence the interior and exterior of the new models!"

Keith "Tiger" Johnson Blogs...

2010-08-09T11:51:00.003-04:00

This is the person who wrote this masterpiece...

It’s 3 AM. I wake up in a cold sweat. It happened again; I dreamt that I closed and delivered a vehicle for a customer in my sleep. I realized I was sleep walking and opened up the dealership for a midnight sale.

As you know, since my promotion, I am able to gain access to the dealership whenever I want. Of course, the others don’t know that when I made copies of all of the secret documents, I also made copies of the keys for the doors.

For those of you keeping count, I actually sold three. I have no recollection of how I did it, but I know three cars are missing. They paid cash. Two brand new, fresh off the truck Sportages and 1 fully loaded Sorento.

It is important to mention that I fell asleep with my shirt off, which is probably how I was able to make such a sale without being fully awake. They could not resist an awesome offer from such an awesome looking salesman. In case you don't know, my email is keithisawesomeKIA@gmail.com.

I began selling cars at the tender age of 4 months, and I have traveled to many countries to study the aspects and dynamics of selling cars. From walking 14 miles on rocky roads with two gallon buckets of water, to swimming with piranhas. I have mastered all techniques of selling.

I am a disciplined salesman and finally, in my 13th year of training in the Andes Mountains, I vowed never to take advantage of a patron with my dashing good looks. For that year in training, I had to wear a paper bag while selling cars with 3 wheels and half of engine.

Since they paid for the cars in pesos, I then had to convert the currency. To do this, I had to walk 17 miles to convert the to pure ounces of gold. After converting the money, I serviced the vehicle. I realized I could do more. I went on to feed the community wings that i prepared. I asked one of the local children to time me while I did this, and for those of you still reading, it was 33 minutes for each conversion, service, preparation, and service of food.

Now that I have mastered vehicle selling, I had to control my night walks. Although most could say that they give great deals, I gave 3 great deals...in my sleep. Come to Kia Autosport, but please, for your own good, do not make eye contact with me.

Guest Bloggers

2010-08-05T10:08:00.003-04:00

So, I got to thinking, how can I make this blog more enjoyable and entertaining?

And then I walked onto the sales floor and saw the sales team. What if I had some guest bloggers? These guys know their stuff! Since I am new around here, I have to admit, I am still learning the ropes about KIA, the dealership, and selling cars.

The news to use is still important, and sharing my random PR and marketing adventures is still important, but in my effort to make KIA's sales teams more technologically savvy...I am going to ask (probably end up begging) them to blog. Don't forget to check out the facebook and twitter page. The sales team actually TAKES all of those pictures; yep, Melanie and I got them to take a 11 whole pictures.

So this is my mission for today...round up some guest bloggers! Wish me luck, I may need some good bribery ideas. I have a feeling I'll be buying some people lunch...

10 Reasons to do Business with Us

2010-07-27T15:36:00.003-04:00

When Melanie asked our sales team to come up with their top 10 reasons customers should shop with us; we got TOO many to count.

As the new intern here, one of my first jobs was to compile and share them.

So here they are, The Top 10 Reasons to do Business with Us:

What are YOUR reasons to do Business with KIA Autosport?

Kia hands over vehicles to 2010 World Cup

2010-06-11T03:03:00.001-04:00

Hyundai∙Kia Motors handed over the ground transportation for the tournament to FIFA in an Official Vehicle Handover Ceremony at Soccer City, South Africa today.

The fleet of vehicles include the buses that will transport all 32 participating teams during the competition. In total there will be 830 Hyundai∙Kia passenger cars/vans and 32 Hyundai Universe Express Noble luxury coaches at the disposal of FIFA officials, national teams, members of the organizing committee, referees and media representatives.

The provision of official vehicles is the last piece of the puzzle in ensuring that this long-waited event will be the most successful World Cup in history.FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Vàlcke
Mr. Sean Kim, Senior Vice-President of Hyundai Motor Company, and Mr. Soon-Nam Lee, Director of the Overseas Marketing Group for Kia Motors Corporation, symbolically presented an oversized car key to FIFA Secretary General, Jérôme Vàlcke and CEO of the FIFA Local Organising Committee, Dr. Danny Jordaan, in front of the full fleet display. Valcke commented: “The provision of official vehicles is the last piece of the puzzle in ensuring that this long-waited event will be the most successful World Cup in history.”

Forming the display was the Hyundai Universe Express Noble right-hand drive luxury coaches. The coaches have been specially manufactured and vibrantly decorated with national team colours for use during South Africa 2010.

Hyundai∙Kia is extremely proud of their strong association with FIFA, during which the company has demonstrated itself to be a reliable and effective partner by serving as the official automotive supplier to all FIFA-sanctioned events around the world. Hyundai∙Kia is currently one of FIFA Partners and has extended its strategic sponsorship agreement with FIFA and UEFA to cover international competitions hosted by the associations, including 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups as well as UEFA EURO 2012 and 2016.

Kia Forte Awarded Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated(R) Vehicle Award

2010-06-08T04:03:00.003-04:00

Kia Forte Awarded Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated(R) Vehicle Award

Forte is Top-Rated Sedan by Consumers in 'Under $15,000' Category

- Kia compact sedan recognized for high owner satisfaction

- Forte lauded for style, abundant features and overall value
IRVINE, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan has been named the top-rated sedan under $15,000 in the Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated®(1) vehicle awards for 2010. Forte earned strong marks for its excellent overall value, wealth of standard features, being one of the best-looking small cars on the market and most fun-to-drive vehicles in its class.

"As one of several new vehicles to roll out under Kia's exciting new design direction, accolades such as this Edmunds.com award, which provides feedback directly from owners, are evidence of Kia's commitment to consumers by offering vehicles with the content buyers want without breaking the pocketbook," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "Forte offers buyers a youthful and dynamically styled vehicle with an impressive array of standard safety features, and being honored as a top-rated sedan under $15,000 by consumers furthers its position as a top contender in its segment and a vehicle that offers the entire package."

Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the Forte sedan starts at $13,695 for the LX trim, while the EX begins at $15,995 and the SX starts at $17,495(2). In addition to competitive pricing, Forte also showcases a class-leading combination of standard safety features with active front headrests, advanced two-stage airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), brake assist (BAS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), a traction control system (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

All Forte models also come well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(3). Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth®(4) wireless technology and connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones.

To determine the winners of the 21 vehicle categories, Edmunds.com invited owners to use the Consumer Ratings and Reviews feature, where they are able to evaluate their new or used vehicles in eight different categories, including performance, comfort, fuel economy, driving impressions, interior design, exterior design, build quality and reliability. Top-rated vehicles are those that received the highest average rating from visitors as of April 28, 2010.

Kia Motors America in 2010

Kia Motors is in the midst of 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. With four new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology such as UVO powered by Microsoft®(5) infotainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. beginning in summer 2010). The launch of the 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be assembled(6) at Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.

Hyundai-Kia hybrids use ‘breakthrough’ battery technologies

2010-05-14T10:39:00.001-04:00

Hyundai-Kia hybrids use ‘breakthrough’ battery technologies
Namyang, South Korea — Globe and Mail Update
Published on Thursday, May. 13, 2010 11:43AM EDT

Last updated on Thursday, May. 13, 2010 12:32PM EDT

While they may be late coming to the hybrid party when they arrive later this year, Hyundai and Kia will bring fresh thinking and technology.

Gasoline-electric hybrid versions of the Hyundai Sonata are to roll into dealerships in the last quarter of 2010 and the Kia version – clothed in the next-generation Magentis – will follow a few months later. They will go head-to-head with existing mid-size hybrids like the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion, but will raise the bar on both the gasoline and electric side of the fuel-saving equation.

While they operate under separate design and marketing entities, Hyundai and Kia share engineering and development resources – lots of them. The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has 10,000 scientists and engineers in the research and development department with a $4-billion operating budget. It has already produced thousands of gasoline-electric hybrids, including LPG-electric versions, hundreds of plug-in hybrids and dozens of third-generation, fuel-cell vehicles.

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Determined to leapfrog the Japanese, the first Hyundai and Kia hybrids coming to North America will include advances in engine, transmission and battery technologies. They will use a four-cylinder engine operating on the Atkinson cycle like the competition, but boast direct injection. Instead of the oft-criticized continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Sonata/Magentis will offer a conventional six-speed automatic. And where current hybrids use nickel-metal hydride batteries with lithium-ion units on the near horizon, the Sonata/Magentis pair will employ the first lithium-polymer batteries.

The two will use the usual tricks like tall gearing, low-rolling-resistance tires, low-drag aerodynamics and engine start/stop. But their proprietary hybrid system promises the biggest improvements, especially for highway mileage.

The system, which Hyundai will call Blue Drive and Kia ECOdrive, is a conventional parallel hybrid in that the car can operate on an 2.4-litre, 169-horsepower gasoline engine, an electric motor or both. But this one will use a lithium-polymer battery pack that weighs 43.6 kg compared to 56.3 kg for the nickel-metal-hydride unit in the Camry, which has almost identical energy capacity. It is also 50 per cent smaller and 10 per cent more efficient.

The “breakthrough” lightweight, compact 1.6-kilowatt-hour/270-volt lithium-polymer battery pack was developed with partner LG Chemical Limited, which will also provide batteries for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car. It will be paired with a 40-horsepower electric motor, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine-motor pairing results in 209 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque (You can’t simply add the output of the engine and electric motor as their power peaks at different points).

A second, 11.5-horsepower, electric starter-generator will be employed to restart the engine and provide some recharging assist for the main battery pack.

The lithium-polymer batteries have 175 per cent greater volumetric efficiency allowing them to be smaller and lighter while producing the same power. They also hold their charge 20 per cent longer. Compared to lithium-ion batteries that the rest of the industry is about to introduce, the lithium-polymer units last longer, cost less to make and have a higher energy density according to Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group scientists. They also claim lithium-polymer offers “more thermal robustness” than the lithium-ion batteries used in cell phones and laptops. The Sonata/Magentis battery pack will have a warranty of 10 years or 244,000 km.

The principal overall difference between the Sonata/Magentis hybrids and others is that they have been developed to maximize highway mileage compared to those currently on the market, which emphasize city mileage.

The Sonata/Magentis hybrids will offer a 40 per cent increase in city mileage compared to models equipped with the normal 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, while also offering best-in-class highway mileage.

The Toyota/Ford systems use a CVT with integrated electric motor. The Sonata/Magentis use a six-speed automatic with an electric motor replacing the torque converter. The goal is 6.4 litres/100 km in the city and 6.0 on the highway, which would put them well ahead of the current mid-size hybrids.

The South Korean hybrids are also designed to travel at up to 100 km/h on battery power alone. The current champ is the Fusion Hybrid at 75 km/h.

The Sonata/Magentis also promise the best performance because of the combination of more power and less weight – they tip the scales at 120 kg less than the best of the current crop, the Fusion.

From Georgia comes Kia's latest ride

2010-02-01T01:08:00.002-05:00

From Georgia comes Kia's latest ride

By Dave Hodges
DEMOCRAT BUSINESS EDITOR

January 30, 2010

Bathed in floodlights and adorned with red, white and blue balloons, the car appeared to have celebrity status even before you could get close enough to learn the whole story.

Melanie Lee, general manager of Kia AutoSport on West Tennessee Street, had the open house Thursday night to get that word out. The shiny 2011 Sorrento in "white sand beige" and leather seats came not from South Korea but West Point, Ga.
There, Kia Motors America invested $1 billion at the 2,200-acre site to build a plant that will turn out up to 300,000 vehicles a year, Lee said.
She is particularly excited about the Georgia product — her family also owns the Kia dealerships in Albany and Columbus. Having product made practically in their backyard is no doubt a source of pride and of interest to potential customers as well.
"I know having a vehicle manufactured in the United States will be huge," Lee said, adding that car shoppers often tell her they'd consider a Kia along with the American makes if it, too, were a domestic product.

Kia's California and Michigan centers are devoted to automotive design and research. West Point is the first production facility here, and it has generated about 2,500 jobs, plus another 7,500 for suppliers. Lee says two more models will be produced there as output grows.
For 2009, Kia reported its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share, up 46 percent over 2008. Lee looks ahead with optimism. "We are very positive. We had a great January," she said. "Customers are putting us on their shopping list more and more these days, which is exciting to us."

A few feet from the Sorrento was a bright red Kia Soul, the sporty model that you may have seen four hamsters riding around in on TV. Lee says with a grin that Kia's Super Bowl commercial will follow that same theme, though she wouldn't divulge who'll be driving.
Guess we'll have to watch and find out.

Dave Hodges
Business Editor

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-kia-autosport-of-tallahassee-announces-launch-party-date-for-the-all-new-2011-kia-sorento-1264015469.html

2010-01-20T23:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-kia-autosport-of-tallahassee-announces-launch-party-date-for-the-all-new-2011-kia-sorento-1264015469.html

EDMUNDS.COM NAMES 2010 KIA SOUL AND SEDONA “TOP RECOMMENDED” VEHICLES FOR 2010

2010-01-20T01:05:00.000-05:00

IRVINE, Calif., January 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Adding to an already extensive list of prestigious honors and recognitions, the Kia Soul urban passenger vehicle and Sedona minivan each were named as “Top Recommended” vehicles for 2010 while Soul and the Forte compact sedan were listed among the top 10 “Consumers’ Favorite Cars for College Students” list by leading automotive research site Edmunds.com. Soul, Forte and Sedona each were highlighted for their individual abilities to aptly meet consumers’ needs in their respective segments and still offer an outstanding value.

“Soul and Forte provide buyers youthful and dynamically styled vehicles with an impressive array of standard safety features, high-tech features and extensive personalization options while Sedona presents excellent safety features, convenience and comfort,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). “It is a testament to the Kia brand to have all three vehicles that embody Kia’s core philosophies of quality, value, safety and style honored by a trusted online automotive resource like Edmunds.com.”

Edmunds.com selected the Top Recommended vehicles as part of its 2010 New Car Buying Guide to assist consumers with the new car buying process. The final Top Recommended list was compiled from multiple categories, including Top Recommended Sedans, Trucks, SUVs, Wagons and Minivans, Diesels, Convertibles, Coupes and for Mobility Challenged Drivers.

The “Consumers’ Favorite Cars for College Students” list is part of a monthly initiative where Edmunds.com invites consumers to participate in surveys to vote on their favorite vehicles in different categories, including favorite luxury sedans, midsize family sedans, hybrids, off-roaders, convertibles, family haulers and economy cars. Like the Top Recommended vehicles, the results are published online to help assist car buyers with future purchasing decisions.

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, Kia Motors’ affordable halo vehicle offers an attractive starting price below $14,0001. Four special edition Souls, based on the Soul+ trim, also are being released throughout the year, including Denim Soul, Ignition Soul and most recently Shadow Dragon Soul. Offering consumers even more ways to personalize Soul, each special edition comes with its own unique exterior color and packaging.

The uniquely styled Soul offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags, an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, an impact-absorbing steering column and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system also come standard.

Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the Forte sedan starts at $13,6951 for the LX trim, while the EX begins at $15,9951 and the SX starts at $17,4951. In addition to competitive pricing, Forte comes well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service2. Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth®3 wireless technology and connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones.

The 2010 Sedona is available in three trims, base, LX and EX. Pricing for the Sedona starts at $21,2454, while moving up to the LX trim starts at $22,2454, and the EX models begin at $27,7454. A segment leader in value and safety, Sedona, named the “safest minivan ever tested” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), offers consumers invaluable protection provided by a wide range of standard safety features, including six standard airbags (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows), active front headrests, a four-channel, four-sensor, Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which takes into account vehicle load and weight distribution and ensures the appropriate stopping force is used.

Kia Product Line
Kia Motors is in the midst of 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. The vehicle line features the stylish Forte compact sedan and all-new two-door Forte Koup, the highly personalizable Soul, functional Rondo CUV, award-winning Sedona minivan, purposeful Optima midsize sedan and versatile yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia5, Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup.

Kia Debuts 2010 Shadow Dragon Soul at Detroit Auto Show

2010-01-15T03:03:00.002-05:00

Posted Today 01:00 PM by Steve Diehlman
Category: News, Detroit Auto Show

Kia used the 2010 Detroit auto show to unveil the Shadow Dragon Soul, the third of four designer-grade versions of its funky compact box.

Reminiscent of the Soul "Burner" concept shown at the 2008 Geneva motor show, the Shadow Dragon Soul's name stems largely from its exterior appearance. Designers have painted the car in gloss black, then applied matte black dragon graphics and stripes. If that weren't enough, a black finish was applied to the 18-inch aluminum wheels, bumper inserts, and the wing spoiler. Interior modifications are limited to the seats, which are trimmed in black leather.

Like the previous two Soul special editions (the Denim and Ignition), the Shadow Dragon Soul is built upon the Soul + model. A sunroof, fog lamps, moonroof, Bluetooth, USB audio port, and carpeted floor mats are all standard equipment. The Shadow Dragon is also equipped with the available Audio Upgrade Package, which adds a center speaker, a subwoofer, and speaker lamps that pulse to the music.

Micahel Sprague, Kia's vice-president of marketing, says the Shadow Dragon is "the most distinctive special-edition Soul" yet. If you agree, hurry to your Kia dealer. Shadow Dragon models equipped with a manual transmission start at $18,890.

Kia Motors America claims 15th year of increased market share

2010-01-13T01:45:00.001-05:00

Kia Motors America claims 15th year of increased market share

Tire Business staff report

DETROIT (Jan. 12, 2010) — As U.S. auto makers, with the exception of Ford Motor Co., continue to struggle post-bankruptcy, Kia Motors America (KMA) said today that its market share in the U.S. has increased for the 15th consecutive year.

The car company, a subsidiary of Seoul, South Korea-based Kia Motors Corp., reported its market share gained more than 46 percent over 2008. Kia said that increase was fueled by a “record-selling 2009 that saw the brand surpass many popular nameplates.” KMA’s 2009 sales of 300,063 units represents a 9.8-percent improvement over the previous year, “despite the auto industry’s overall negative performance and the challenging economic conditions,” the firm said.

Helping KMA was the introduction of four all-new vehicles—the Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and 2011 Sorento—that “attracted new and more affluent customers to its showrooms and began changing perception of the brand with their combination of dramatic styling, fun-to-drive performance, advanced technology features and outstanding value,” according to the company.

Last November Kia Motors began production at its first manufacturing plant in the U.S., a 2,200-acre complex in West Point, Ga., where the car maker’s first U.S.-built vehicle, the Sorento, rolled off the production line at its Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia unit. The plant is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles at full capacity and employ 2,500 workers, with on-site and nearby suppliers creating 7,500 additional jobs in the region, Kia said.

The company added that Kia Motors is one of only three manufacturers to post a sales increase in 2009.

Kia AutoSport of Tallahassee sells it's First American Made 2011 Kia Sorento

2010-01-11T01:38:00.003-05:00

Mandy and James Bamber become Tallahassee's first 2011 KIA Sorento Owners!!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-12-31T22:55:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours

2009-12-25T11:59:00.002-05:00

After safety recalls, Toyota's reputation needs some TLC

2009-12-22T02:36:00.002-05:00

By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES — As carefully crafted brand images go, it's hard to beat Toyota's.
Over a generation or so, Toyota (TM) built its reputation — and U.S. market share — on dependability, at a time when General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler couldn't shake being identified with lemons.

The Japanese automaker initially built its lineup around fuel-efficient cars, while Detroit was focused on gas-guzzling SUVs.

Mostly non-union Toyota opened U.S. plants and promised no layoffs for permanent workers. Detroit, meanwhile, laid off employees by the thousands and shuttered dozens of UAW-represented plants.

But Detroit's nemesis lately has suffered through its own run of bad press, much of it involving a consumer hot-button: vehicle safety.

The company that once could do no wrong has stumbled badly though a series of embarrassments of disclosures, allegations and recalls. Experts now are debating how deeply these will eat into the consumer trust that is Toyota's most potent asset — and what it must do to recover.

Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, sees real problems. "You have a company whose reputation is built on quality. It's going to do damage to Toyota for the U.S. in the foreseeable future," he says.

Others, however, believe Toyota's bank of goodwill is formidable enough that current troubles can be quickly overcome.

"They will emerge stronger than ever," predicts Jeffrey Liker, a University of Michigan professor who authored the best-selling book The Toyota Way.

This much is indisputable: It's been an awful year for the world's largest automaker.

In addition to the safety issues, Toyota only now has started to recover from unprecedented monthly sales drops this year. Last spring. the Japanese parent company closed its first money-losing fiscal year since its official founding in 1950.

Toyota has had to trim plans made during years of unbroken U.S. sales increases. It has shelved plans for new plants. It has mothballed a new Mississippi plant that was to build the Prius here for the first time. It is closing a plant it ran with General Motors in Fremont, Calif., idling hundreds of workers.

But as bad as the business problems have been, nothing has stung like the criticism over safety. Among mounting problems:

•Toyota ordered its largest recall ever — upwards of 4 million vehicles — over a defect that caused what the government calls "unintended acceleration." Floor mats could jam the gas pedal wide open.

The problem has been blamed for 13 crashes, five fatalities and 17 injuries.

The most prominent crash killed an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and three family members in August in a runaway Lexus near San Diego.

•The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a rare public rebuke, saying Toyota prematurely tried to blame the entire acceleration problem on floor mats when a NHTSA report cited other potential vehicle problems and contributing factors.

•Consumer Reports says its analysis of NHTSA data found Toyota had 40% more "unintended acceleration" incidents than any other automaker in its 2008 models.

•NHTSA ordered a recall of 110,000 model year 2000-03 Toyota Tundra pickups to correct a design that could allow corrosion to cause the undermounted spare tires to fall off and affect braking ability.

•NHTSA is looking into whether it should formally investigate engine-stalling problems in 2006 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles. The agency has received 26 complaints.

•A former in-house Toyota lawyer has filed a lawsuit that alleges the automaker didn't fully disclose rollover crash test results to NHTSA as the government was trying to formulate new standards for roof strength. The lawyer, Dimitrios Biller, also alleges that Toyota withheld data from plaintiffs' lawyers in rollover accident lawsuits against the automaker, resulting in more than a dozen formerly settled lawsuits being reopened.

"It was the perfect storm," says Jake Fisher, a senior automotive engineer for Consumer Reports about the cascade of safety allegations. "If people are now questioning whether Toyota is going to be safe and reliable, that could really hurt their sales."

That would hurt a nascent sales recovery by Toyota. Better results in recent months and a big share of last summer's cash-for-clunkers trades have left Toyota's 2009 sales through 11 months down 23.8% — almost exactly the industry's overall average decline in the recession, Autodata figures show.

And by holding steady with the industry decline, Toyota actually gained some U.S. market share from those with greater falls and will finish the year as the second-largest-selling automaker in the U.S., behind only General Motors.

Toyota officials say they're pleased with their sales results, especially an uptick in November, and are confident recent safety questions won't dent the company's image or sales recovery.

"Our reputation for 30 years is built on quality, reliability and durability," says Bob Carter, a group vice president for Toyota's U.S. sales operation.

One move to protect that reputation, he says, is a permanent fix for the floor-mat issue. Owners initially were told to remove the driver's mat. Now they've been notified to bring in their vehicles for a temporary solution that involves cutting off part of the gas pedal. A final fix, expected by April, will be the installation of a newly designed gas pedal.

Evaluating Toyota's overall response to the mounting trouble, Carter says, "I am absolutely confident we acted appropriately."

Deadly crash sounded alarms

Others aren't so sure.

Toyota's biggest trouble, the unintended acceleration charges, burst into the open after the August crash in Santee, Calif., near San Diego.

A 911 call was received from a passeneger of off-duty highway patrol officer Mark Saylor, who was driving a Lexus ES 350 loaner from a dealer. The caller said the sedan was racing out of control at more than 100 mph and Saylor could not stop it. The car ended up crashing into another vehicle, killing Saylor and the others.

A NHTSA report found that the gas pedal design could allow a loose floor mat to jam it wide open. But it also cited other factors in the car's design that could make it difficult to stop in a runaway situation:

•Saylor's Lexus, and many others, have an off-on button instead of a traditional key-twist ignition. Toyota's design requires — though it is not marked with a warning — pressing the button for three continuous seconds to shut off the engine.

•The automatic transmission lever's design could make it confusing and difficult to find the neutral position in an emergency.

•The power brake system requires 150 pounds of pressure on the pedal, instead of the normal 30 pounds, to stop the car at high speed with the throttle open.

In Tokyo in October, Toyota's new president, Akio Toyoda, publicly apologized to surviving members of the Saylor family and acknowledged the safety issue.

"Customers bought our cars because they thought they were the safest. But now we have given them cause for grave concern," he said at a press conference. "I can't begin to express my remorse" for the crash.

Toyota's Carter insists that floor-mat jams remain the only confirmed cause of unintended acceleration.

But a review of NHTSA safety records by the Los Angeles Times found more than 1,000 Toyota and Lexus owners have reported sudden acceleration since 2001 — resulting in at least 19 deaths — and that jammed floor mats were not cited as a contributing cause in many of the incidents.

Safety experts say more research is warranted. "There is increasing evidence that the problem is not just caused by floor mats," says Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies.

He also criticized Toyota for being too slow to respond when problems were first reported and says that has prolonged and deepened its public-relations trouble.

Best Days of The Year to Buy a Car Yet to Come

2009-12-10T18:48:00.002-05:00

APA website that tracks new car pricing says six of the 10 best days of the year to buy a car are coming this month.

You already missed the best day of the year to buy a car: Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

"Over the past four months, there have been great opportunities for consumers to buy a new car - from cash for clunkers to Black Friday," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of trends for TrueCar.com. "Our hope is that this list will help the consumer who missed out on those opportunities, plan for a purchase when the time is right for them."

Looking at transaction data, TrueCar lists the best days coming and the discounts as:

December 24th
7.25%

December 21st
7.13%

December 31st
7.04%

December 28th
6.90%

December 14th
6.86%

December 16th
6.74%

L.A. Auto Show: Kia Sorento's North American debut

2009-12-03T00:42:00.001-05:00

December 2, 2009 | 3:02 pm
The first Kia built in the U.S. at the South Korean automaker's $1-billion plant in West Point, Ga., the 2011 Sorento is a crossover that Kia believes has been “right-sized” to appeal to customers who are abandoning traditional SUVs for less thirsty crossovers. Basically, it will be aimed squarely at Toyota RAV4 and Chevy Equinox consumers when it is released in January.

After a busy year or so that included new releases of its Soul, Forte and Forte Koup, Kia is also keeping the younger, family-oriented buyer in mind with the Sorento, a budget-friendly five-seater that can seat seven in a pinch. Other nice touches in a reworked interior include leather seating on upscale models, large driver-friendly dials and a touchscreen LCD console that sits on a square-looking central stack.

The exterior of the new Sorento has a deeper, wraparound front grille that chief of marketing Michael Sprague described as “very contemporary” that stretches into Kia's Schreyer line that extends to the vehicle's rear and defines the car's monocoque shell. The Sorento has independent suspension; multi-link at rear.

The second-generation Sorento has two engine choices: a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 276 horsepower and a 2.4-liter four-banger that delivers 29 mpg highway. Both are mated to a proprietary (or developed in-house) six-speed automatic box.

2009-11-25T14:47:00.001-05:00

All-new Kia Soul awarded 2010 'Top Safety Pick' by US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

2009-11-25T01:37:00.001-05:00

SYDNEY – November 24, 2009: Further exemplifying its exceptional quality and safety, the 2010 Kia Soul has yet again been recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US and been given a 2010 'Top Safety Pick' award for the second consecutive time this year in the Small Car category.

On the heels of earning a '2010 Automotive Excellence Award' from Popular Mechanics, being named to TIME.com's 'Most Exciting Cars of 2010' list and being named one of '10 Great and Safe Rides for Teens' by AutoWeek magazine, the youthful Kia five-door was one of only five small cars to earn the organization's top honor for earning 'Good' ratings - the highest achievable - in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests.

"Since its launch in March, Soul has lived up to its tagline of being Kia Motors' affordable halo vehicle by winning numerous awards and consistently being a media and consumer favorite," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA).

"Soul being honored with a 'Top Safety Pick' for a second time solidifies it as a top contender in its segment and a vehicle that offers consumers the entire package."

Ratings from the Institute are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests and, for the first time, a good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover also was required to win.

Each vehicle's overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle and overall impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles must have electronic stability control available to be eligible as a 'Top Safety Pick'.

Kia Motors' funky five-door Soul is a perfect embodiment of the brand's current design-led transformation with its unique design and all Soul models are equipped with a high level of standard safety equipment.

Facebook Fan Recieves Pair of FSU Mens Basketball Season Tickets

2009-11-19T03:10:00.004-05:00

Greg Kulbick stops to pose with Melanie Lee, General Manager of Kia Autosport. Greg was the winner of a pair of FSU mens basketball season tickets. This is our first of many Facebook fan appreciation contests. Look out for our next one soon!

Kia appeals to laid-off plant workers

2009-11-06T01:41:00.001-05:00

Special to the News

Amy Weaver
Staff Writer

Published: November 5, 2009

» 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Days after the doors to Opelika’s BFGoodrich tire manufacturing plant closed for good, those at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia opened up indefinitely.

Both Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and KMMG officials are hopeful the reopening of Kia’s online application process for production or maintenance team member positions at the West Point, Ga., assembly facility will be an opportunity for those people who weren’t looking for a job during the first application process nearly two years ago, but are now because of recent plant closings.

“There are many qualified individuals who were secure in their employment a couple years ago, but who have lost their jobs since then,” said Randy Jackson, Kia’s director of human resources and administration. “We’d love to have them join our team.”

The closure of BFGoodrich last week left about 1,000 salaried and hourly workers unemployed.

“Those folks that were at BFGoodrich, the company couldn’t say enough good things about their performance. They all were high-performing with a good work ethic,” Fuller said. “I expect many of them to go to Kia, if they haven’t already.”

About 1,200 individuals were hired from Kia’s initial application process that drew more than 40,000 applications in a 30-day period in January 2008. This application period will remain open indefinitely. To apply, visit http://www.kiajobsingeorgia.com.

“After you’ve applied, if you meet our qualifications, we’ll invite you for an interview,” Jackson said. “If you pass the interview, we’ll invite you to the 40-hour, pre-employment assessment training delivered by Quick Start at the Kia Georgia Training Center. And if you pass that, there are still two or three further steps before the final job offer.”

Strong demand for Kia Forte and Kia Rio in October

2009-11-03T21:37:00.002-05:00

October Auto Sales: Kia
(AP)

IRVINE, Calif. — Kia Motors America said Tuesday its October U.S. sales rose on strong demand for its Kia Forte compact and Rio subcompact.

BY THE NUMBERS: Kia sales rose 45.3 percent to 22,490 vehicles from 15,483 in the same month last year. For the first 10 months of the year, Kia sales rose 7.2 percent to 261,060 units from 243,571.

TOP SELLER: Sales of the new Forte totaled 4,984, while sales of the Rio increased 74.8 percent to 4,005.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

New Kia Plant Open for Production

2009-10-27T12:19:00.002-04:00

New Kia plant in Georgia begins production
The Associated Press

WEST POINT, Ga. -- The newly completed Kia Motors plant in West Point is open for business.

Production began at 7:30 a.m. Friday on the first road-ready crossover vehicle. The first shiny new Sorento will be displayed in the factory's lobby.

The plant is the South Korean company's first U.S. manufacturing plant. It cost $1 billion to build and created about 1,200 jobs.

Kia broke ground on the plant, which is near the Alabama state line, and plans to hold a ceremonial first car roll-out on Nov. 16.

Kia has plans to hire 1,200 more workers next year as production increases.

On top of the jobs created at the Kia plant, Georgia Tech estimates 20,000 new job will be created by 2012 at Kia suppliers in a nine-county area that straddles the Georgia-Alabama border.

Kia Names New Luxury Sedan K-7 in Korea, Cadenza in Other Markets

2009-10-23T05:34:00.001-04:00

Wards Auto talks about the all new Cadenza, coming in 2011.

Kia Cadenza: Kia's New Luxury Model Coming Soon!

2009-10-23T05:21:00.004-04:00

Kia revs up activity at West Point plant - Business - Ledger-Enquirer.com

2009-10-14T03:23:00.000-04:00

Kia revs up activity at West Point plant - Business - Ledger-Enquirer.com

Exciting News From the Dealer Show!

2009-10-08T15:21:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone I just returned from the KIA Motors America Southern Region Dealer Show in Atlanta and I have to tell you it's an exciting time to be a KIA dealer and a KIA Sorento owner!

On Tuesday we took a tour of all new state of the art KIA Motors Manufacturing plant in West Point Georgia. The all new 2011 KIA Sorento will be built for America by Americans at this plant. The plant represents a 1 billion dollar investment in the USA by KIA and also is the largest investment the state of Georgia has ever seen. In addition to this record breaking investment this plant has already created over 1,200 jobs and we haven't even begun to produce vehicles. What an exciting time for neighbors in Georgia! By the time the plant is open and operational with all vendors, the site will employ up to 10,000 people. In an uncertain time where jobs are short the plant couldn't have opened at a better time.

As we toured the plant you would be amazed at the technology that will go into producing the all new Sorento. There is more robotic technology in this facility than any other plant in the United States. It's amazing to see the speed and accuracy of these machines. In the main stamping building where they produce the steel body panels there is one huge press. This thing is enormous and came all the way from Korea. The pieces traveled from Savannah to West Point with special arrangements with Georgia's Highway Patrol. In total the equipment weighed over 3,500 tons. It took the equipment over 3 days to make the journey. I would have hated to be on the road following that equipment around.

It's not all robots and huge machines, as I mentioned earlier there are already 1,200 team members producing test vehicles and more continued to be hired daily. As I walked through on our tour the team members were smiling and excited to be building vehicles. They are so thankful to have jobs and told all of us on the tour how dedicated they are to building quality vehicles. They stressed to us the want and desire to be the best of the best in the United States. As we continued our tour a different team member guided us and showed us each stage of the assembly process they complete. They did this with great pride and made me confident that they will achieve they absolute best quality vehicle for us and our customers.

Each and every Sorento produced in West Point will come off the line be quality tested in several, several different types of test, and go straight to the test track outside. I was most excited to see this track. It's 2 miles long and has several different obstacles that each and every Sorento must pass to be ready for sale. This track had over 6 different driving surfaces to create real road noise and traction. It also had a steep hill and downhill breaking scenarios to test the different breaking functions and a test for the automatic breaking system. I could go on and on about the different testing but just know that every Sorento will go through more quality test than any other vehicle on the market today. This will insure that the vehicle we deliver to you will be the best of the best.

After we had the vehicle test drivers take us on a spin we were able to get behind the wheel and see what the new Sorento could really do. I have to tell you as a 2007 KIA Sorento owner myself, I can't wait to own this vehicle. The fit, style, and performance of this vehicle surpasses every other SUV on the market today. You will definitely see why KIA Motors has the Power to Surprise when you drive this vehicle. It will come standard with blue tooth, satellite radio, and the longest warranty in the business. Not to mention more than this blog can fit of standard options. KIA has also crash tested several vehicles and anticipate a 20 star crash test rating. Along with the best gas mileage in it's class, this vehicle will definitely be on every one's shopping list.

So with all that I also need to share some other great news. In 2010 you will see a new Sportage and a new Optima. These vehicles are amazingly designed and full of equipment. I'll keep you posted as they release more information to us.

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know how exciting it is to know our vehicles will be made just up the road from us. It's also great to know that in a time where auto makers are sending jobs out KIA is bringing jobs in. I couldn't be more excited to share my experience this week with you and invite you to visit http://www.kia.com/#/upcoming/?fvVehicleID=sorento&fvPageID=intro for more information about the all new Sorento.

They told us that probably by April the plant will be open to the public for tours. We will have the all new Sorento in our showrooms by January.

I'll continue to keep you posted on KIA's growth but remember until then I wanna see ya in a KIA!!!

Melanie Lee
General Manager

Come by and Crush the Competition!

2009-09-06T17:20:00.001-04:00

This Labor Day Kia AutoSport is having a huge clearance sale and offering you the opportunity to "whack" the competition, just like we have been for years. All you Noles fans come out and "whack" the Hurricane mobile. You choose your weapon, baseball bat or hammer, either one will do some crushing! While you are here check out all the "whacked" prices on new and pre-owned vehicles! Come on by and have some fun! We want to see ya in a Kia!

'Clunkers' program gives biggest boost to foreign carmakers -- latimes.com

2009-09-02T02:21:00.001-04:00

'Clunkers' program gives biggest boost to foreign carmakers -- latimes.com

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It's Better Than Cash for Clunkers!

2009-08-29T09:23:00.000-04:00

It's better than Cash for Clunkers, it's cash for any trade only at KIA AutoSport. We still want to trade you out of your gas guzzling clunkers even though the government has run out of cash. Bring in your old ride today and we'll give you up to $7,000 minimum trade on select new KIA's. Hurry in this weekend for your end of August savings.

And remember we wanna see ya in a KIA!

Gas Mileage: Are the EPA ratings correct on your vehicle?

2009-08-24T03:34:00.000-04:00

Gas Mileage is the fastest concern amongst car shoppers today when purchasing a vehicle. The fact is gas has gone up and it looks like it will stay that way. So, gas mileage is important. I wonder though, who comes up with these ratings on the vehicles and how?

I have been in the car business for many years and I have noticed that most consumers only look at the two numbers in bold on the EPA ratings. If you look closer you will find that there are numbers on the bottom of that BOLD number that tell you the fluctuation in gas mileage on those types of models. I only bring this up because recently on my move to Arizona, I loaded up my 2004 Kia Optima V6 and made the trek 2,000 miles across the country with my dog and a car full of "leftover stuff." Now you would think that with all the added weight and my 85 lb. Lab in the back seat that I would get less than the EPA ratings. On the contrary, I ended the trip with a MPG rating of 31!! The average when I purchased my car was 27. Granted I have had my Kia regularly serviced with Kia AutoSport's award winning service department, but the final number did surprise me.

The moral of this story is don't always trust that sticker on the windshield! Take the vehicle for a spin and always take in to consideration those little numbers on the bottom of the big bold number!

Kia AutoSport Introduces New Pre Owned Inventory Blog!

2009-08-18T01:52:00.000-04:00

We have just launched a new way for customers to keep track of our ever changing pre-owned inventory. To follow our Pre-Owned Blog click here, Tallahassee Used Cars .We will be updating the inventory throughout the week. You can also follow us on twitter by clicking on Kia AutoSport's Twitter Page. We are making it easier for you to have the best shopping experience. We hope you find these new methods exciting and helpful!

Cash for Clunkers is Here!!!!!

2009-07-29T18:29:00.000-04:00

Check out how you can get information from one of our experts.....

Come in today to receive huge savings and remember we wanna see ya in a KIA!!!

Cash for Clunkers is Here!

2009-07-21T17:37:00.000-04:00

We have already begun giving cash for clunkers. At KIA AutoSport we have over 10 models that get over 30 mpg. We are your Tallahassee leader for Cash for Clunkers.

If you have a qualifying clunker you can purchase a brand new 2009 KIA Rio getting over 40 mpg, for only $7,995.

Stop by today and see one of our knowledgeable and trained sales associates to find out more. Get more for your money at KIA AutoSport.

KIA AutoSport Employees Paint the Building!

2009-07-16T17:08:00.000-04:00

As you ride down Tennessee Street you'll notice a fresh coat of paint on our building. Employees Melanie Lee, Doug Cook, Rocky Hughes, and Doug Hughes spent several weeks painting our building in the 100+ degree weather.

We painted ourselves so we could pass the savings on to you.

Come by and check out our new look and receive the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle from KIA AutoSport.

July is KIA's Birthday!

2009-07-16T11:21:00.001-04:00

July marks KIA Motors America's 15th Birthday. In celebration we are passing amazing discounts on to you.

We'll be celebrating all month long so come on down and see why KIA has the power to surprise. And remember we wanna see ya in a KIA!

New Paint Job and Fresh Inventory!

2009-06-25T17:10:00.000-04:00

Kia Autosport has been busy lately revamping the showroom and getting ready for the busy summer season. With a fresh coat of paint and three new models to choose from, we are ready to do business. Come by and see the new paint job and while your at it, check out the new Soul, Borrego, or all new forte!

Check out our June Savings!

2009-06-18T12:47:00.000-04:00

Click here to see the savings going on right now at KIA AutoSport.

Remember We Wanna See Ya in a KIA!

Check out the latest version of the KIA Hamsters!

2009-06-16T17:40:00.000-04:00

This is our version of the KIA Hamsters. I hope you enjoy!

Motor Trend Review of the 2010 KIA Forte!

2009-06-16T12:08:00.000-04:00

Great article from Motor Trend on the all new 2010 KIA Forte!

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0909_2010_kia_forte_review/index.html

They have started to arrive be the first to come by and take one for a spin!

Stankey Legs win 6-5

2009-06-15T17:38:00.000-04:00

On May 31st the Sales Stankey Legs won in the first annual KIA AutoSport employee softball game. It was a very close game that went into an extra inning. The Stankey Leg's were able to squeeze out a extra run and hold off the Parts and Service All Stars in the bottom of the 8th.

The All Stars have requested a rematch and it's looking like it will take place at the end of June. We will announce the rematch date when it's set and we invite everyone to come by and join in the fun.

Green Maintenance Tips

2009-06-15T16:01:00.000-04:00

You can save money and energy-and wear and tear on your vehicle-with proper care and maintenance. Here are the items that most affect fuel economy.

Motor oil. Top off and change oil as necessary with KIA Motors recommended grade, "energy conserving" motor oils. Doing so can improve fuel economy by up to 2 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Replacing conventional oils with synthetics may offer even greater fuel economy benefits. Check with your Service Advisor for more details on the difference in your oil.

Air filters. Make sure you change your air filter at the end of its recommended lifespan. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a vehicle's gas mileage by up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Engine performance. Enhance fuel economy performance by having engines tuned and spark plugs replaced according to KIA Motors recommended schedule. A single misfiring spark plug can cut fuel economy by up to 4 percent, according to the EPA.

Brakes. Improperly maintained brakes can result in unwanted drag. This unnecessary resistance can have the same effect as driving with a foot on the brake pedal: a dramatic drop in fuel economy.

Warning lights for Service Engine Soon or Check Engine. Ignoring these indicators may result in poor fuel economy performance and require expensive repairs. For example, a warning light may indicate a faulty oxygen sensor is sending more fuel to the engine than necessary, which can result in a 40 percent fuel economy decline. A warning light could also indicate a faulty thermostat, which can prevent a cold engine from reaching its normal operating temperature resulting in the unnecessary injection of fuel.

Tire wear. Replacing worn tires with a KIA Motors recommended size and style can save hundreds of dollars a year. To improve fuel economy performance, consider low rolling-resistance replacement tires.

Tire inflation pressure. Keeping tires inflated to at least the KIA Motors recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent, according to the EPA. Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, meaning more fill-ups.

Unnecessary items that add weight to the vehicle. Unnecessary weight lowers fuel economy; remove heavy items from your trunk and back seat.

Evaporative emission controls. Poorly operating evaporative emission controls can fail to capture gasoline vapors and recycle them to the fuel tank. Faulty controls waste gas and degrade air quality.

Transmission. Properly operating modern transmissions and drive components are critical to vehicle fuel economy performance. Routinely check proper fluid levels and system operation.

Call 850-576-2116 to schedule your green maintenace check-up with us today and start saving money on fuel cost.

Huge Weekend Savings Going On Today!

2009-06-06T10:35:00.001-04:00

This weekend only we are taking up to $8,000 off select new 2009 KIA's! In addition to our huge savings we will have 3 radio stations out here today giving away food, drinks, and prizes. Stop by and browse our inventory and take advantage our big summer savings!

The All New 2010 Forte Has Arrived!

2009-06-05T19:30:00.001-04:00

Great news Tallahassee the all new 2010 KIA Forte has arrived in our showroom! We are extremely excited for you to see the newest addition to the KIA product line.

The all new Forte is loaded with new standard technology features like blue tooth, Sirius satellite radio, IPod and USB port. In addition to class leading technology the Forte is loaded with standard safety features you won't find on any vehicle in it's class. These standard features include Anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and traction control not to mention the Forte comes standard with 6 airbags.

The best thing about the Forte is that you can have all this for a starting price of $13,648! With a price like that the Forte is sure to be one of our best sellers. We invite you to come on by and take one for a spin. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Newest Member of the KIA AutoSport Family.

2009-05-28T13:42:00.000-04:00

Little Soul is the newest member of our family here at KIA AutoSport. Little Soul is a hamster with some attitude just like the newest addition to our product line up the all new 2010 KIA Soul.

If you have seen the new KIA ad on television you can understand why we felt compelled to make this addition to our family. Visit the YouTube link on our website to check out the ad if you haven't seen the head bobbing hamsters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFHCfwF87_o

Little Soul lives in a very stylish habitat in our showroom. In addition to his habitat we also have a hamster track where you will often find him speeding around on in his yellow hamster vehicle for some exercise. You can often find Little Soul speeding around the office in his vehicle.

We invite everyone to visit Little Soul while visiting our dealership. Little Soul will be here like we are 7 days a week!

Memorial Day Weekend Clearance Event!

2009-05-23T08:29:00.000-04:00

This weekend we have a huge inventory clearance event happening for Memorial Day. Come in and receive $5000 off* any new 2009 in stock.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend!