Kia Expands in Connecticut; New Car Company Opens Five More Dealerships
21 January 1998
Kia Expands in Connecticut; New Car Company Opens Five More Dealerships
HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 21 -- Kia begins its launch into the
Hartford area this month, as five more dealerships open in the Constitution
State. Three dealerships in Bridgeport, Milford and Danbury have been open
since last fall.
These new dealership openings are part of Kia's planned expansion into the
eastern United States in early 1998. With the addition of the new Connecticut
dealers, Kia will have vehicles at more than 330 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, with the
Sportage 2-Door Convertible due out in Spring 1998.
"Connecticut is a perfect market for our vehicles," explained Greg Warner,
Kia's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Consumers in
Connecticut have told us that they need a car that's reliable yet packed full
of value. The Sephia has more standard equipment than many competitors, yet
its starting price begins well below that of other compact sedans. Our
Sportage is a fun alternative to sedans and turns heads wherever it goes."
Kia began business in the U.S. in August 1993, when it put 2,000 Sephias
in service with Budget Rent-A-Car. Using a market-by-market strategy
championed by Warner, Kia started in the West and Southwest in 1994. Kia
dealers are now prominent on the East Coast and in parts of Pennsylvania and
New York. Kia plans to continue its launch in New England and the Midwest in
the next few months. By the end of 1998, Kia plans to have about 500
dealerships in the 48 contiguous states.
"We only choose dealerships that demonstrate a commitment to maintaining
customer satisfaction. Our mission is to provide affordable, value-laden
vehicles, but our goal is to serve our customers," Warner said. "We want
dealers who are able to 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) 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 also was 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 in mind. Able to support all active lifestyle, the Sportage has a
2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC engine and a driver-side airbag system, which
features the world's first knee airbag. The Sportage is available in 4x4 and
4x2 models. 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.
Hartford Area Dealerships
Crowley Kia Barberino Kia
223 Broad Street, Route 72 506 N. Colony Street
Bristol, CT 06010 Wallingford, CT 06492
Kenneth Crowley Tom Barberino
860-582-3155 203-265-1611
Gold Star Kia Blasius Kia
383 Gold Star Highway I84 at Scott Road
Groton, CT 06340 Waterbury, CT 06723
Leo C. Antonino Frederick W. Blasius, Jr.
860-449-5970 203-753-9261
Suburban Kia
14 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, CT 06066
Peter B. Krause
860-645-9655
SOURCE Kia Motors America
