Kia Motors is South Korea’s second largest automobile manufacturer behind only to Hyundai Motor Company. It has successfully expanded to America and Europe and is currently the fastest growing automobile company in the UK. The name “Kia” is a derivative of the Korean word “ki” which means “to rise” or “rise out”, and the “a” stands for “Asia”. Thus, Kia could be translated as “rising out of Asia”. Kia was successful in the early nineties, but declared bankruptcy in 1997. Hyundai Motor Company would then acquire Kia Motors in 1998, outbidding rival Ford Motor Company.

Kia Motors is known for a variety of trademark vehicles. The Pride and the Rio are two successful sedans which garnered a lot of sales. Kia would then produce larger hatchbacks and sedans with the likes of Mentor, Shuma, and the newer Cerato. Kia’s family car entry was the Credos four-door saloon. Kia entered the larger MPV market with its Sedona entry. The Sedona was a decent full-sized people carrier which was the cheapest of all others in its class in Europe. The Kia Picanto dominated the mini car category, earning tons of sales due to its cheap and effective state. Kia SUVs like the Sorento and Sportage are also popular choices of the masses.