It's The End of The Month Already?

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...

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!

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours

After safety recalls, Toyota's reputation needs some TLC

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exciting News From the Dealer Show!

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!

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

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

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It's Better Than Cash for Clunkers!

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?

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!

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!!!!!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

Motor Trend Review of the 2010 KIA Forte!

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

6 Green Driving Tips

At KIA AutoSport we care about you and your vehicle.

With the price of gas on the rise we wanted to provide you with a few Green Driving Tips that if used will increase your gas mileage.

1) Avoid quick starts and aggressive driving. A smooth, steady speed saves gasoline and reduces wear and tear on the engine, tires, transmission and brakes.

2) Slow down! Fuel economy decreases about 1% for each mph over 55. Driving 65 mph vs. 75 miles mph, for example, increases fuel economy by about 10%.

3) Use overdrive and cruise control. Overdrive gears slow engine speeds, saving gasoline and reducing wear. By helping to maintain a constant speed, cruise control reduces gasoline consumption. Use both features only when safe and appropriate.

4) Combine trips when possible. Your engine runs more efficiently once it's warmed up, so avoid making multiple short trips. Stop-and-go driving also burns more gasoline. Avoid driving during rush hour whenever you can.

5) Reduce drag. Remove roof racks and other items from your vehicle when you're not using them.

6) Avoid unnecessary idling. In addition to contributing to engine wear and tear and air pollution, consider that when your vehicle is idling, you are getting 0 miles per gallon of gasoline you use.

Those tips should get you a little further on a tank of gas. Check our blog regularly and we'll have our Green Maintenance Tips posted later on this week and remember at KIA AutoSport we're always having a great day!

KIA AutoSport Employee Softball Game Sunday May 17th

KIA AutoSport Employees are getting ready for the big game this Sunday May 17th. The Parts and Service All Stars will take on the Sales Department Stankey Legs in our first ever employee softball game. Employees from both teams have been optimistic about a win.

The Parts and Service All Stars will be lead by long time Softball and Baseball Player Doug Hughes our Parts Manager. Doug feels extremely confident with his leadership he can pull his team to victory. Playing for the Parts and Service All Stars will be; Doug Hughes Parts Manager, Co-Captain Kelly Facer Service Manager, Ron Angelotti, Adam Perry, Danny Campbell, Brandon Thomas, Doug "Fresh" Cook, Daniel McKeithen, Dwayne Griffin, and John Wayne Cassidy. Doug said today, "We are playing with the right attitude and we are not afraid of the competition. They all eat too much and are out of shape."

The Sales Stankey Legs will be lead by the main man himself, Mr. Monroe Lee. The Sales team completed 2 team practices in the past weeks and have made steady progress. The team captains have stated that the All Stars are coming into this game underestimating the strength, skill and speed of the Stankey Leg's. Playing for the Stankey Leg's will be; Melanie Lee, Omar George, Nicky Jones, John Cray, Steven Clemens, Mike "Boom" Champion, Ron "Stankey Leg" Murray, Kristin Sirmon, Kenroy Johnson, Katrina McAphin, and Colleen Harp. Kelly Facer from the Parts and Service All Stars attended the Stankey Legs team practice Saturday evening. After witnessing the Stankey Leg practice Kelly admitted to Melanie that he was a little more concerned than he and Doug were letting on.

Also joining in will be the Stankey Leg cheer squad lead by Susan Schrier. Joining the cheer squad will be Sharon Davis, Christa McCarthy and our newest cheerleader Ella McCarthy. They have prepared a wonderful array of theme music that is sure to entertain everyone in attendance.

We inivite anyone who would like to attend and watch as these bitter work rivals take it out on the field.

Stankey Leg's vs. Parts and Service All Stars Sunday May 17th at Messer Field. We hope to begin around 5:30 pm and no later than 6 pm depending on how business is on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday Fun Day at KIA AutoSport

We are open and enjoying a wonderful Sunday afternoon at the dealership. We even have 96.1 The Jams radio station out here.

Come by and see us for an amazing deal today.

Kia AutoSport Employees Raise Money for The Amerian Cancer Society

On Saturday April 17, 2009 the employees of KIA AutoSport came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

To raise money we cooked out and painted faces, but the highlight of the day was our dunking booth. The dunking booth featured Melanie Lee and the entire sales staff. Customers had the opportunity to come by and dunk their favorite sales person.

Fellow employees couldn't pass up the chance to dunk the Parts and Service Managers either. Fully clothed; Doug Hughes, Kelly Facer, and Ron Angelotti took their dunks like champs in the booth.

We were even able to convince a member of our office staff, the former Miss Madison County, to take her throne above the dunking pool. We raised $129 just for Kristin alone.

All together Saturday was a festive day where we raised money for a great cause. The customer and employee participation was outstanding.

The American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life helps raise money for research, detection, prevention, and patient services. Every year more than a million people are diagnosed with cancer. Also, one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. KIA AutoSport is happy to be able to raise money for this great cause.

If you would like to walk with the KIA AutoSport team or make a donation to the Relay for Life please contact Susan Schrier at 850-576-2116 for more information.

Thanks to everyone for your participation and we look forward to our next event!

Kia Extends O% financing and rebates up to $5,000

Kia has announced that they are extending the January rebates for the month of February! Make sure you don't miss out on rebates as high as $5,000 or 0% financing with up to $2,800 cash back! We have very limited 2008 stock left so call us today at 850-576-2116 to secure one today!

Kia Autosport Named Time Magazine Florida Dealer of the Year

Local auto dealer earns national honor

Monroe P. Lee, president and owner of Florida AutoSport Inc., the Kia AutoSport dealership in Tallahassee, was honored Tuesday in New Orleans for being nominated for the 2009 Time Magazine Dealer of the Year award. Lee was one of only 49 dealers from around the nation honored at the 92nd annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention and exposition. Given by Time and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the award recognizes the country's most successful dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service.

Visit us today at http://www.kiaautosport.com/