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Heritage – Lucky Motors (KIA)
KIA logo
A different Beat, Your Joyful Moment

A different Beat, Your Joyful Moment

Heritage

The Origin Of Wheeled Vehicles In Korea
1940-1960

The origin of Wheeled
Vehicles in Korea

Founded around that time under the name of Kyungsung Precision Industry, Kia was the first in Korea to make bicycles and later build motorcycles requiring no manual power to move. This marked the start of the dream of being Korea's first maker of four-wheeled automobiles.
1944 Kyungsung Precision Industry, the origin of Kia, is founded.
In 1952 the Samchully, Korea's first bicycle, is unveiled
1952 The Samchully, Korea's first bicycle, is unveiled.
In 1952 company is renamed Kia Industries
1952 The company is renamed Kia Industries.
KIA, The Pioneer Of Korea's Automobile Industry
1960-1973

Kia, the Pioneer of Korea's Automobile Industry

Kia Motors launched the Kia Honda C-100 in 1961 after years of sustained efforts to develop a two-wheeled and a three-wheeled vehicle. Subsequently, it secured the capability to produce an original three-wheeled vehicle for the first time in Korea's automotive industry when it launched the Kia-Mazda K-360 in 1962.

The huge popularity of the K-360 provided us with the strength to start the second round of development of three-wheeled vehicles in 1967, successfully launching the Kia-Mazda T-2000 and T-600 later on.
In 1969 T-600 starts production
1969 The T-600 starts production.
In 1973 Sohari Plant opens
1973 The Sohari Plant opens.
In 1973 Brisa pickup starts production
1973 The Brisa pickup starts production.
A Giant Leap Towards Becoming A Global Automaker
1974-1997

A Giant Leap towards Becoming a Global Automaker

Kia has offered many great models that gained huge popularity among local and international consumers, including the Brisa, the first originally developed passenger car in Korea dubbed the "People's Car"; the Pride, the first Korean car ever to reach production of 1 million units; and the Sportage, the world first passenger car-type SUV to complete the famed Paris-Dakar Rally.
In 1974 the passenger car Brisa is unveiled
1974 The passenger car Brisa is unveiled.
In 1986 Pride starts production
1986 The Pride starts production.
In 1987 The Pride sets foot on U.S. soil
1987 The Pride sets foot on U.S. soil.
In 1987 the midsize Concord sedan starts production
1987 The midsize Concord sedan starts production.
In 1992 Sephia, Kia's first independently developed passenger car, starts production
1992 The Sephia, Kia's first independently developed passenger car, starts production.
In 1993 completed construction of a proving ground at the Asan Plant
1993 Completed construction of a proving ground at the Asan Plant
In 1993 Sportage completes the Paris-Dakar Rally
1993 The Sportage completes the 1993 Paris-Dakar Rally.
In 1996 Elan, Korea's first authentic sport car, is launched
1996 The Elan, Korea's first authentic sport car, is launched.
Challenging Ourselves To Be A Better Global Brand
1998-2010

Challenging Ourselves to Be
a Better Global Brand

The joining of Peter Schreyer - one of the world's top 3 automotive designers - as the chief design officer of Kia marked the start of our drive to establish a market-leading design identity.

Meanwhile, our continued investment in R&D has enabled us to develop a full-lineup of vehicles across all segments as well as propelled Kia to the 69th position on Interbrand's annual list of 100 Best Global Brands.
In 1998 Hyundai and Kia becomes a part of Automotive Group
1998 Hyundai and Kia merged.Kia becomes a part of the world’s fifth-biggest car maker, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.
In 2000 Optima is launched
2000 The Optima is launched.
In 2003 Kia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute opens
2003 Kia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute (Namyang R&D Center) opens.
In 2005 Kia's cumulative exports exceed 5 million units
2005 Kia's cumulative exports exceed 5 million units.
In 2006 the cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris Motor Show
2006 The cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris Motor Show.
In 2009 Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design Award
2009 The Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design Award.
In 2010 KIA bring a new beat to customers
2010-Now

A different Beat

Since its foundation in 1944, Kia steadily grown into a truly global player and keep trying to bring a new beat to customers
In 2013 KIA's accumulated overseas sales exceed 50 million units
2013 Kia's accumulated overseas sales exceed 50 million units.
In 2014 Soul EV becomes the first in the industry to be given Underwriters Laboratory's environmental validation
2014 The Soul EV becomes the first in the industry to be given Underwriters Laboratory's environmental validation.
In 2014 KIA GT4 Stinger concept and Soul earn International Design Excellence Awards
2014 Kia GT4 Stinger concept and Soul earn International Design Excellence Awards
In 2016 KIA officially opens Mexico production facility
2016 Kia officially opens Mexico production facility
In 2017 KIA's first BEAT 360 opens in Korea
2017 Kia's first brand experience space BEAT 360 opens in Korea
KIA presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018
2018 Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018
Three trophies for KIA at the 2018 iF design Awards
2018 Three trophies for Kia at the 2018 iF design Awards
In 2018 KIA motors is the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D.
2018 Kia motors is the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for the fourth consecutive year
2019 Red Dot Awards: another triple triumph for KIA design
2019 2019 Red Dot Awards: another triple triumph for Kia design
In 2019 a new all-electric concept car revealed
2019 Imagine by Kia: a new all-electric concept car revealed