-2014 KIA FORTE TO LIST OF “10 BEST INTERIORS”

IRVINE, Calif., April 16, 2013 – Kia Motors America (KMA), one of the fastest growing car companies in the last five years2, has garnered yet another accolade with the all-new Kia Forte being named to WardsAuto’s list of “10 Best Interiors of 2013.” The stylish Forte stood out for combining premium features, high-quality materials and a sophisticated design at the lowest base price in the compact-car segment.

“The all-new Forte is designed to bring our customers European-influenced styling and premium amenities found more commonly in larger sedans,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “WardsAuto’s recognition of the 2014 Forte’s interior as being among the best in the industry is strong evidence of the significant enhancements we’ve made to the new generation of this already-popular product. With the lowest base price in the segment, the 2014 Forte aptly advances Kia’s well-known value proposition to new levels of sophistication.”

WardsAuto named the Forte to their list of “10 Best Interiors” based on combination of technology, comfort, amenities and stylish elements. The 2014 Forte is offered in two trims and comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio3 and Bluetooth® wireless technology4. Designed at Kia’s American design center in California, the Forte’s cabin has chrome accents, high quality soft-touch materials and large, easy to read, instruments.

“The Kia Forte demonstrates how far compact-car interiors have come in a short time,” said WardsAuto World executive editor Tom Murphy. “Starting at $15,9005, the Forte has the lowest base price in the segment. And yet it delivers premium features – from a straightforward and intuitive communication system to the brilliant door trim resembling the layered gills of a shark – that are sure to surprise and delight car shoppers.”

About the 2014 Forte

Available in LX and EX trims, the all-new Forte sedan is arriving in retail showrooms now and will be followed later in the year by 5-door and two-door Koup variants. Sitting on an all-new chassis that is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, the all-new Forte will offer more room, more fun-to-drive performance, new cutting edge technology, several premium amenities and a choice of an efficient 1.8-liter engine (LX) or a more powerful 2.0-liter engine (EX). With an aggressive stance and broad shoulders, the all-new Forte’s modern aesthetic was influenced by European sport sedan styling and penned at Kia’s U.S. design studio in Irvine, Calif. Optional FlexSteer™ technology puts the driver firmly in control with a choice of three settings – Comfort, Normal and Sport – which vary steering feel and effort at the touch of a button.

Kia: One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands

Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time. With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry. Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013. Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs. The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

About WardsAuto

WardsAuto has covered the auto industry for more than 80 years, serving those within automakers, dealerships, suppliers and others serving or observing the industry with a wide range of information products. WardsAuto's flagship product is WardsAuto.com, a comprehensive online resource and community filled with unique news, data and analysis, with full access available as a premium subscription. Other services include online data products, magazines, print and digital newsletters, and more. Plus, WardsAuto operates the WardsAuto Interiors Conference, North America’s only event focused on the automotive interior.

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