KIA MOTORS POSTS LARGEST GAINS IN FUEL ECONOMY AND CO2 REDUCTION AMONG ALL AUTOMAKERS IN THE U.S.

In its commitment to produce sustainable and fuel-efficient vehicles, Kia Motors America (KMA) has "had the biggest improvement in adjusted CO2 and fuel economy performance from MY 2009 to MY 2010" of any automaker, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest fuel economy trends reporttitled, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2011." Kia's fuel economy gain from 2009 to 2010 was 11.6 percent, while its reduction in CO2 emissions was 10.1 percent, beating all other major manufacturers by considerable margins based on the EPA's most recent data. In addition, the report shows Kia as tied for the highest Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) at 27.0 miles-per-gallon for MY 2010. Kia is ranked number two for MY 2010 CO2 values, ahead of traditional leaders such as Honda and Toyota.

 

"As an industry leader in fuel economy, Kia is committed to providing safe, high-quality vehicles that are socially relevant to consumers," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Our goal is to stay ahead of the industry by applying innovative technologies such as direct-injection and turbo charged engines to advance our efforts and continue improving on the benchmarks Kia has set in the sustainability realm."

 

Kia Motors' EcoDynamics philosophy has created a global alternative fuel and powertrain research program to develop advanced fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. In 2011, Kia introduced the brand's first-ever hybrid vehicle in the U.S., and the 2013 Rio and Rio 5-door will be the first vehicles in the subcompact segment to offer fuel-saving Idle Stop and Go technology.

 

The EPA report summarizes key trends in CO2 emissions and fuel economy for gasoline- and diesel-fueled personal vehicles sold in the United States, beginning MY 1975. Overall, the automotive industry's fleetwide average real world MY 2010 CO2 emissions and fuel economy have marked slight improvements over MY 2009 and the most favorable levels since this analysis began in 1975.

 

To review the EPA's full 2011 fuel economy trends report, please visit www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm .

2012 KIA SORENTO NAMED TO "10 BEST FAMILY CARS OF 2012"

Bale Kia in Little Rock, AR is pleased to announce that the award-winning Kia Sorento is again in the limelight, this time being named to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com coveted "10 Best Family Cars of 2012" list. The ultra-popular CUV enjoys this accolade for a second year in a row. Lauded for its outstanding drivability, functionality, refinement and comfort, the Sorento has defined a number of milestones for Kia, including becoming the first model in the product line to surpass 100,000 sales in a single year as well as being Kia's first U.S.-built1 vehicle at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Ga.

 

"Sorento's achievement of being recognized as one of the '10 Best Family Cars of 2012' by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is a testament to its exceptional safety, comfort and feature content," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. "As Kia's best-selling vehicle, Sorento's low cost of ownership has resulted in strong consumer ratings, making it a favorite among family buyers."

 

Editors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com evaluated vehicles based on several main criteria important to family car buyers, including safety, child-friendliness, comfort, economy of operation – which factors fuel consumption, insurance premiums and repair costs – and resale value. The kbb.com editors selected the vehicles that offer the best combination of these characteristics and the highest overall value for everyday families.

 

Kbb.com editors underscored the Sorento's available three row seating capacity and highway fuel economy of 32 miles-per-gallon2 . "Good fuel economy is only part of the story," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "The Sorento starts under $24,000 and offers a voice-controlled infotainment system plus a great big panoramic moonroof."

For more information about kbb.com's "10 Best Family Cars of 2012," visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-best-family-cars-of-2012/ .

Visit us online to schedule a test drive or request more details on the all new Kia Sorento.