Our Story
![The Origin Of Wheeled Vehicles In Korea](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1940-1960-the-origin-of-wheeled-vehicles-in-korea-d.jpg)
1940-1960 The origin of Wheeled
The origin of Wheeled
Vehicles in Korea
Founded around that time under the name of Kyungsung Precision Industry, Kia
was the first in Korea to make bicycles and later build motorcycles
requiring no manual power to move. This marked the start of the dream of
being Korea's first maker of four-wheeled automobiles.
1944 Kyungsung Precision Industry, the origin of Kia, is founded.
![In 1952 the Samchully, Korea's first bicycle, is unveiled](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1952-the-samchully-koreas-first-bicycle-is-unveiled.jpg)
1952 The Samchully, Korea's first bicycle, is unveiled.
![In 1952 company is renamed Kia Industries](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1952-the-company-is-renamed-kia-industries.jpg)
1952 The company is renamed Kia Industries.
![KIA, The Pioneer Of Korea's Automobile Industry](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1960-1973-kia-the-pioneer-of-koreas-automobile-industry-d.jpg)
1960-1973
Kia, the Pioneer of Korea's Automobile Industry
Kia Motors launched the Kia Honda C-100 in 1961 after years of sustained
efforts to develop a two-wheeled and a three-wheeled vehicle. Subsequently,
it secured the capability to produce an original three-wheeled vehicle for
the first time in Korea's automotive industry when it launched the Kia-Mazda
K-360 in 1962.
The huge popularity of the K-360 provided us with the strength to start the second round of development of three-wheeled vehicles in 1967, successfully launching the Kia-Mazda T-2000 and T-600 later on.
The huge popularity of the K-360 provided us with the strength to start the second round of development of three-wheeled vehicles in 1967, successfully launching the Kia-Mazda T-2000 and T-600 later on.
![In 1969 T-600 starts production](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1969-the-t-600-starts-production.jpg)
1969 The T-600 starts production.
![In 1973 Sohari Plant opens](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1973-the-sohari-plant-opens.jpg)
1973 The Sohari Plant opens.
![In 1973 Brisa pickup starts production](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1973-the-brisa-pickup-starts-production.jpg)
1973 The Brisa pickup starts production.
![A Giant Leap Towards Becoming A Global Automaker](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1974-1997-a-giant-leap-towards-becoming-a-global-automaker-d.jpg)
1974-1997
A Giant Leap towards Becoming a Global Automaker
Kia has offered many great models that gained huge popularity among local
and international consumers, including the Brisa, the first originally
developed passenger car in Korea dubbed the "People's Car"; the Pride, the
first Korean car ever to reach production of 1 million units; and the
Sportage, the world first passenger car-type SUV to complete the famed
Paris-Dakar Rally.
![In 1974 the passenger car Brisa is unveiled](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1974-the-passenger-car-brisa-is-unveiled.jpg)
1974 The passenger car Brisa is unveiled.
![In 1986 Pride starts production](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1986-the-pride-starts-production.jpg)
1986 The Pride starts production.
![In 1987 The Pride sets foot on U.S. soil](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1987-the-pride-sets-foot-on-us-soil.jpg)
1987 The Pride sets foot on U.S. soil.
![In 1987 the midsize Concord sedan starts production](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1987-the-midsize-concord-sedan-starts-production.jpg)
1987 The midsize Concord sedan starts production.
![In 1992 Sephia, Kia's first independently developed passenger car, starts production](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1992-the-sephia-kias-first-independently-developed-passenger-car-starts-production.jpg)
1992 The Sephia, Kia's first independently developed passenger car,
starts production.
![In 1993 completed construction of a proving ground at the Asan Plant](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1993-completed-construction-of-a-proving-ground-at-the-asan-plant.jpg)
1993 Completed construction of a proving ground at the Asan Plant
![In 1993 Sportage completes the Paris-Dakar Rally](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1993-the-sportage-completes-the-1993-paris-dakar-rally.jpg)
1993 The Sportage completes the 1993 Paris-Dakar Rally.
![In 1996 Elan, Korea's first authentic sport car, is launched](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1996-the-elan-koreas-first-authentic-sport-car-is-launched.jpg)
1996 The Elan, Korea's first authentic sport car, is launched.
![Challenging Ourselves To Be A Better Global Brand](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1998-2010-challenging-ourselves-to-be-a-better-global-brand-d.jpg)
1998-2010 Challenging Ourselves to Be
Challenging Ourselves to Be
a Better Global Brand
The joining of Peter Schreyer - one of the world's top 3 automotive
designers - as the chief design officer of Kia marked the start of our drive
to establish a market-leading design identity.
Meanwhile, our continued investment in R&D has enabled us to develop a full-lineup of vehicles across all segments as well as propelled Kia to the 69th position on Interbrand's annual list of 100 Best Global Brands.
Meanwhile, our continued investment in R&D has enabled us to develop a full-lineup of vehicles across all segments as well as propelled Kia to the 69th position on Interbrand's annual list of 100 Best Global Brands.
![In 1998 Hyundai and Kia becomes a part of Automotive Group](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/1998-hyundai-and-kia-merged-kia-becomes-a-part-of-the-worlds-fifth-biggest-car-maker-the-hyundai-kia-automotive-group.jpg)
1998 Hyundai and Kia merged.Kia becomes a part of the world’s
fifth-biggest car maker, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.
![In 2000 Optima is launched](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2000-the-optima-is-launched.jpg)
2000 The Optima is launched.
![In 2003 Kia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute opens](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2003-kias-globally-competitive-automotive-r-and-d-institute-namyang-r-and-d-center-opens.jpg)
2003 Kia's globally competitive automotive R&D institute (Namyang
R&D Center) opens.
![In 2005 Kia's cumulative exports exceed 5 million units](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2005-kias-cumulative-exports-exceed-5-million-units.jpg)
2005 Kia's cumulative exports exceed 5 million units.
![In 2006 the cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris Motor Show](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2006-the-ceed-kias-strategic-model-for-europe-is-unveiled-at-paris-motor-show.jpg)
2006 The cee'd, Kia's strategic model for Europe, is unveiled at Paris
Motor Show.
![In 2009 Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design Award](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2009-the-soul-becomes-koeras-first-car-to-receive-a-red-dot-design-award.jpg)
2009 The Soul becomes Korea's first car to receive a red dot Design
Award.
![In 2010 KIA bring a new beat to customers](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2010-now-a-different-beat-d.jpg)
2010-Now
A different Beat
Since its foundation in 1944, Kia steadily grown into a truly global player
and keep trying to bring a new beat to customers
![In 2013 KIA's accumulated overseas sales exceed 50 million units](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2013-kias-accumulated-overseas-sales-exceed-50-million-units.jpg)
2013 Kia's accumulated overseas sales exceed 50 million units.
![In 2014 Soul EV becomes the first in the industry to be given Underwriters Laboratory's environmental validation](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2014-the-soul-ev-becomes-the-first-in-the-industry-to-be-given-underwriters-laboratorys-environmental-validation.jpg)
2014 The Soul EV becomes the first in the industry to be given
Underwriters Laboratory's environmental validation.
![In 2014 KIA GT4 Stinger concept and Soul earn International Design Excellence Awards](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2014-kia-gt4-stinger-concept-and-soul-earn-international-design-excellence-awards.jpg)
2014 Kia GT4 Stinger concept and Soul earn International Design
Excellence Awards
![In 2016 KIA officially opens Mexico production facility](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2016-kia-officially-opens-mexico-production-facility.jpg)
2016 Kia officially opens Mexico production facility
![In 2017 KIA's first BEAT 360 opens in Korea](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2017-kias-first-brand-experience-space-beat-360-opens-in-korea.jpg)
2017 Kia's first brand experience space BEAT 360 opens in Korea
![KIA presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2018-kia-presents-vision-for-future-mobility-at-ces-2018.jpg)
2018 Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018
![Three trophies for KIA at the 2018 iF design Awards](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2018-three-trophies-for-kia-at-the-2018-if-design-awards.jpg)
2018 Three trophies for Kia at the 2018 iF design Awards
![In 2018 KIA motors is the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D.](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2018-kia-motors-is-the-highest-ranked-mass-market-brand-in-jd-powers-initial-quality-study-for-the-fourth-consecutive-year.jpg)
2018 Kia motors is the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D. Power’s
Initial Quality Study for the fourth consecutive year
![2019 Red Dot Awards: another triple triumph for KIA design](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2019-red-dot-awards-another-triple-triumph-for-kia-design.jpg)
2019 2019 Red Dot Awards: another triple triumph for Kia design
![In 2019 a new all-electric concept car revealed](https://staging.kia-luckymotorcorp.com/app/themes/kia-motors/dist/images/depreciated/images/our-story-pages/2019-imagine-by-kia-a-new-all-electric-concept-car-revealed.jpg)
2019 Imagine by Kia: a new all-electric concept car revealed