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Kia is one of the most well-known car companies on the market. They are the oldest manufacturer of cars in Korea, always at the forefront of innovation and advancement. If you’re interested in a vehicle from this company, you might wonder - who owns Kia? Who is in charge of the structure and well-being of the company?
If you’re interested in learning more about who owns Kia, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the owner, where Kias come to life, if the brand is doing well, and everything else you should know about the company. The more you know, the easier it will be to determine if it’s the right choice for your life.
Who Owns Kia?
Who owns Kia? Technically, there are multiple owners of Kia. Many people and corporations own shares of the company and have a say in what happens to the vehicles. However, there is one company with the largest stake in Kia.
According to consumerreports.org, the Hyundai Motor Company owns 33% of the Kia company and thus is the technical owner of the brand. They invested in them recently and brought them into their lineup of brands.
SeungKyo Yoon is the CEO of Kia American, and Steven Center is the COO of the American version of the company. There are multiple leaders throughout the organization, each in charge of a different branch. Kia has a worldwide reach, making it necessary to have multiple leaders in different countries.
Now that you know more about who owns Kia, where does Kia come from in the world? Is Kia Chinese or Japanese?
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Is Kia Chinese Or Japanese?
There is a popular belief that Kia is a Chinese or Japanese brand. Many people associate the style and name of the vehicle with these countries, assuming they are getting a classic from China or Japan. However, this isn’t the case.
According to kia.com, Kia comes from South Korea. They are Korea’s oldest manufacturer of automobiles, starting as a bicycle company and moving to the car powerhouse they are today. They are not a Chinese or Japanese brand.
There are many similarities between cars from South Korea and vehicles from China and Japan. However, you will note some critical differences. The biggest lies in the base model. South Korean manufacturers tend to pack more luxury and practical features into their base models, offering more to those who want to get the most basic version of the vehicle.
Kia is a South Korean brand. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s where they are made. Where do Kia vehicles come to life?
Where Are Kias Made?
We’ve gone over the owners of the Kia brand, but the location where the company began isn’t always where they produce most of their vehicles. As they have grown, Kia has spread out to additional corners of the world. They make their cars in several countries to accurately keep up with the demand.
According to kiadelray.com, here are the locations where Kias are made:
- South Korea
- Georgia (United States)
- Slovakia
These plants produce quality Kias to move around the world to meet customer needs.
Kia is a popular brand, and it will likely continue to innovate with the times. As the need comes to produce more vehicles, they will create more manufacturing locations to keep up with the demand.
We’ve discussed who owns Kia and where their vehicles come to life. What about their success? Is Kia doing well on the market?
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Is The Kia Brand Doing Well?
Kia is an excellent company. In the last decade, they have gone from having some of the worst vehicles to boasting many of the best. How does this success look in their budget? Are they doing better or worse financially?
According to statista.com, Kia’s financial capacity has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2021, they boasted a 5.07 trillion Korean won operating budget. That number is more than double the previous year, which was already an uptick. Kia successfully pushed out of the pandemic with excellent sales and income.
Although anything can happen, it’s safe to say Kia is doing better than they have in the past. They have made improvements to their vehicles to fit a modern lifestyle and will continue to add benefits as they innovate their car options.
Kia is doing well. If you want to go with a successful company, Kia is a safe bet.
Maybe you’re convinced of a Kia vehicle. What about the cars themselves? Is this brand known for producing reliable vehicles for customers?
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Are Kia Cars Reliable?
We’ve gone over the owners of the Kia brand and how well the business has done. However, these things mean nothing if the vehicles aren’t reliable. Can you depend on Kia cars to get you from one place to another?
According to peakkianorth.com, Kia cars are some of the most reliable selections on the market. They have the fewest issues compared to other cars, permitting users to drive more comfortably on the road. Their vehicles are quality options, built to last. Reliability puts Kia at the top of the list for dependable driving options.
If you want a car you can depend on, go with the Kia. This brand has established itself and will continue to do so.
Final Thoughts
Kia is a quality brand owned by the Hyundai Motor Company and several other smaller shareholders. Although many assume they are a Chinese or Japanese brand, Kia has its roots in South Korea. What began as a bicycle company has since blossomed into one of the best car manufacturers in the world.
Now that you understand who owns Kia, it’s up to you to determine if a car from this brand is the right choice for you. They are reasonably priced and offer excellent value for your investment, permitting a quality drive for any life. They also have sleek designs and classy performance. It’s easy for anyone to fall in love with a Kia model.
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