If you are a fan of the Kia lineup like us, you may be wondering,”Where is Kia from?” What country is Kia from? The automaker is headquartered in Seoul, but you will find assembly plants in other countries like Georgia and Slovakia. You may also be wondering who owns Kia. The team at Riverside Kia is here to dive into the history of the Kia brand below. We look forward to sharing the unique story of the brand and its rise to one of the most popular vehicle manufactures in the market today.
What Country is Kia From?
As mentioned above, Kia’s headquarters are in South Korea. Specifically, Kia is made in the Yeongdeungpo-gu district. This is in southwest Seoul. The brand’s first integrated automotive assembly plant opened its doors in 1973, and it focused on producing vehicles primarily for the Korean market.
Alongside its headquarters in Seoul, Kia currently has an assembly plant in West Point, Georgia and Zilina, Slovakia.
The History of the Kia Brand
Who makes Kia? Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors after Kia was purchased in 1998. Kia has quite an interesting history, and it was not actually part of the automotive segment initially. Kia got its start by manufacturing steel pipes and bicycle parts by hand and building a reputation in the steel business. Bicycle production began in 1951, and Kia also went on to produce motorcycles as well. Kia started commercial vehicle production in 1962.
Kia did not make its way to the United States until 1992, and by 1995, there were 30 Kia dealerships across America. Kia’s popularity has exploded among Corona drivers and industry experts alike, and the brand has made a name for itself by producing high-quality vehicles at an affordable price.
Own a Piece of Kia History Today
Now that you know who owns Kia and where your favorite Kia models are made, you may be interested in getting behind the wheel of a new Kia vehicle in Fontana. We can’t blame you! Visit our showroom today to set up a test drive. We’re just a short drive from San Bernardino. If you already have your dream car in mind, you can even get pre-approved for financing before you visit. Contact us today with any questions.
