Kia, history – Auto Story
Kia is a brand that has conquered European motorists only in the last decade, but the Korean company (the second largest in the Asian country after Hyundai, the first in car production) has been in business for seventy years. Let's get to know it together story.
Kia, history
La Kia created on June 9, 1944 Chul-Ho Kim: Originally engaged in the manufacture of components for bicycles, and in 1951 the first two-wheeled vehicle was made.
In 1952 the name Kia – where “a” means Asia and the Korean word “ki” means “go out” – temporarily changed to Kyungsung... Motorcycle production began in 1957, commercial vehicles debuted in 1962, and assembly of the first cars began in the XNUMXs.
The first cars
Car production began in 1970 with a licensed vehicle assembly. Fiat 124modified enough to be more suitable for a South Korean audience. However, in 1973, the first engine gasoline for vehicles.
First Kia history to be exported Brisa 1974: this is nothing but the second generation Mazda Surname rebranding. In 1978 the first diesel engine was launched, in 1979 Fiat was produced under license. 132 и Peugeot 604 while in 1981 the dictatorial government Jung Doo Hwan requires the brand to stop assembling cars and focus on vans.
La Kia resurrected in 1986, when, thanks to an agreement with Ford (which acquires part of the shares of an Asian company) produces several rebranded models in South Korea: Pride (One Mazda 121 fixed and fixed) and AvellaBased on Festiva и Seek.
Crisis and rebirth
The nineties were characterized by expansion into new markets (especially America), but also by an economic crisis that hit Asia and in 1997 led the South Korean brand to bankruptcy.
La Kia It was bought by Hyundai's historic rivals and together they form a colossus that has won more and more customers in the XNUMX's. The turning point in story arrived in 2006 when the German designer Peter Schreier (his first generationA) is appointed by the style manager.
With bold lines and an aggressive front taken from the entire range - called Tiger nose – Kia are starting to attract the public. However, the merit of other factors: a clear improvement in quality and safety (first generation cee'd in 2006 became the first Korean car to receive five stars in Euro NCAP crash test), engines more and more alive and less and less thirst and a guarantee in Italy for seven years or 150.000 km.
