Kia Comes to The Buckeye State; New Automotive Brand Now Available in Ohio
23 December 1997
Kia Comes to The Buckeye State; New Automotive Brand Now Available in Ohio
CINCINNATI, Dec. 23 -- Kia drives into Ohio this week when 11
dealerships begin selling Kia vehicles, the brand's first dealers in the
state. In addition, Kia has simultaneously opened a Lawrence, Ky. dealership
in the Cincinnati metro area.
These new dealership openings are part of Kia Motors America's planned
expansion into the Midwest in 1998. With the addition of the new Ohio
dealers, Kia vehicles now are on sale at more than 320 dealerships in 32
states.
Kia currently sells two vehicles -- the Sephia (pronounced Seh-FEE-uh)
compact sedan and the Sportage (SPORT-ij) sport-utility vehicle. A third
model, the Sportage 2-Door Convertible, is due out in the Spring.
"We expect Ohioans to find a lot to like in our vehicles," explained Greg
Warner, Kia's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Our
research has told us that, more than ever, they are seeking value and quality,
and that's what Kia vehicles deliver. The Sephia features more standard
equipment than many of its competitors, yet its starting price begins well
below that of other compact sedans. Our Sportage makes the fun and
versatility of a sport-utility vehicle affordable to more consumers than ever
before."
Before retail sales began in the United States in 1994, Kia sent its cars
through an extensive series of tests, including putting 2,000 Sephia compact
sedans into service at Budget Rent-A-Car in 1993. Using a strategy devised by
Warner, Kia has spent the last four years establishing dealerships on a
market-by-market basis. Starting in the West and Southwest, Kia Motors
America expanded across the Sun Belt, into the Southeast and then up the
Atlantic Coast as far as New York. This year, Kia will continue its market-
by-market strategy by expanding into New England, and the balance of the
Midwest. Kia expects to have dealerships nationwide by the end of 1998.
"We only choose dealerships that demonstrate a commitment to serving their
customers. Our mission is to provide affordable, value-filled vehicles, and
our dealers have to maintain that same high standard," Warner said. "We want
dealers who put the customer first."
Kia's customer-driven philosophy is backed by dependable, reliable
vehicles that have completed real-world testing with flying colors. The
Sephia, which stood up well to the abuses of rental car drivers, pizza
delivery guys and driving school students, is an affordably priced, well-
equipped compact sedan with a manufacturer's suggested retail price beginning
at $9,995. The 1998 model features a powerful 1.8-liter, 16-valve, dual
overhead camshaft (DOHC) four-cylinder engine and dual airbags.
The Sportage was the recipient of a 1997 "Best Overall Value of the Year"
award from IntelliChoice, Inc., an independent consumer research firm. The
Sportage was also named the best buy among compact sport-utility vehicles
according to the "Men's Journal" 1997 Buyer's Guide and was named one of "Four
Wheeler" magazine's top 10 best buys for 1996 and 1997. "Popular Science"
voted the Sportage the "Best of What's New" in 1995.
The Sportage is a rugged sport-utility vehicle designed with passenger
comfort and versatility in mind. It is powered by a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC
four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission standard and automatic
transmission optional. The Sportage's driver- and passenger-side airbag
system includes the world's first knee airbag. The Sportage is available in
both two-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive. Prices for the 1998
Sportage begin at $14,895.
To support its customer first philosophy, Kia has established several
policies that set it apart from other manufacturers. All Kia Sephias come
with very competitive warranties: a three-year/36,000-mile basic limited
vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage. All
owners are covered by Kia Extra-Mile Care, a program that includes 24-hour
roadside assistance, for the term of the basic limited warranty. Kia will
contact customers no less than seven times during the first two years of
ownership, including surveys following the initial purchase and first service
to make sure they're happy with the service they received.
Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and distribution arm of
Kia Motors Corp., in Seoul, South Korea.
OHIO DEALERSHIPS
Bob Williams Kia Jeff Wyler Kia
12170 Mason Road P.O. Box 345
Cincinnati, OH 45249 Batavia, OH 45103
513-677-2880 513-752-3447
Fairfield Kia Kia Towne
6065 Dixie Highway 6050 Hopeful Road
Fairfield, OH 45014 Florence, KY 41042
513-874-6980 606-371-8191
Castrucci's Kia Norris Auto Mall-Kia
3013 Mall Park Drive P.O. Box 604
Dayton, OH 45459 Medina, OH 44256
937-439-7459 800-589-5059
Bob Morris Kia Bob Morris Kia- West
3414 Brookpark Road 39290 Center Ridge Road
Cleveland, OH 44134 North Ridgeville, OH 44039
216-398-3000 216-777-7577
Van Devere Kia Halleen Kia
3155 S. Arlington Street P.O. Box 520
Green, OH 44312 North Olmsted, OH 44070
330-645-9500 216-777-2424
Jay Kia Steve D's Kia
566 Broadway Avenue P.O. Box 1707
Bedford, OH 44146 Lima, OH 45802
216-232-5000 419-227-7400
SOURCE Kia Motors America
