Kia Expands in Ohio; New Car Company Opens Three More Dealerships
21 January 1998
Kia Expands in Ohio; New Car Company Opens Three More DealershipsCOLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 21 -- Kia begins its launch into the Columbus area this month, as three more dealerships open in the Buckeye State. Eleven dealerships in Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Lima have been open since last month. 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 Columbus 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. "Columbus is a perfect market for our vehicles," explained Greg Warner, Kia's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Consumers in Ohio 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 1O 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 an 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. Columbus Area Dealerships Hatfield Kia P.O. Box 28248 SW Columbus, OH 43228 Dan Hatfield 614-272-8100 Ricart Kia North P.O. Box 27130 NE Columbus, OH 43227 Rhett C. Ricart 614-478-8265 Ricart Kia P.O. Box 27130 SE Columbus, OH 43227 Rhett C. Ricart 614-836-5321 SOURCE Kia Motors America