Who Owns Kia Motors?

Every Kearny Mesa driver who owns a Kia vehicle knows what it’s like to have an incredibly reliable car that gets great gas mileage. But, maybe you’re curious about the automaker behind the car. For instance, who owns Kia Motors? Where are Kia automobiles made? Who makes Kia vehicles? Keep reading for the answers. 

A Brief History of Kia Motors

Did you know that Kia started out as a company that made bicycle parts? Knowing the history of this company is helpful to understanding who owns Kia. Here are some things you may not have been aware of:

• Began in 1944 under the name Kyungsung Precision Industry, making steel tubing and bicycle parts
• Created South Korea’s first domestic bike in 1951
• Changed name to Kia Industries in 1952
• Began producing vehicles licensed to other brands in 1957, including Honda-licensed small motorcycles and Mazda-licensed trucks and cars
• Had to change production to light trucks in 1981 when the South Korean government consolidated the automotive industries
• Partnered with Ford to shift back to the production of passenger cars in 1986 

Who Owns Kia Motors Now?

Kia is mostly owned by the Hyundai Motor Company, now. What led to that? In 1997, there was a credit bubble burst in Asia that crippled several countries’ economies and forced Kia Motors to file bankruptcy. However, Kia Motors reached an agreement with Hyundai in 1998 that allowed Hyundai to become a majority stockholder in Kia Motors. 

Where are Kia Automobiles Made?

Every San Diego driver who owns a Kia automobile knows that it is made with high-quality, precision engineering. But where are these incredible cars made? Hyundai vehicles are made all over the world. Here are some of the locations where Hyundai is made:

• South Korea
• China
• India
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Slovakia
• United States 

The Kia Lineup

While it’s true that Hyundai owns Kia, the Kia brand has its own line of dealerships, like Kearny Mesa Kia, where you can find all of the Kia models. Drivers who own Kia vehicles can’t see themselves owning any other brand of car. Here is just part of the current lineup of models you can find for sale on our lot:

Kia Sedans

• Kia K5
• Kia Rio
• Kia Stinger

Kia SUVs

• Kia Seltos
• Kia Sorento
• Kia Telluride
• Kia Soul

Kia Electric Vehicles and Hybrids

• Kia EV6
• Kia Niro
• Kia Sportage Hybrid

Get Your Next Kia at Kearny Mesa Kia

You can check out the impressive automobiles made by Kia at Kearny Mesa Kia right now. They really need to be experienced to be believed. So, come down and take a test drive. If you’d like to learn more, check out our other model research. Our dealership is conveniently located near Kearny Mesa. So, stop in or contact us today!