Kia Comes To Chicago; New Automotive Brand Now Available in Illinois, Indiana
11 March 1998
Kia Comes To Chicago; New Automotive Brand Now Available in Illinois, Indiana
CHICAGO, March 11 -- Kia officially drives into Illinois and
Indiana this week when 16 Chicago-area dealerships begin selling Kia vehicles.
Kia's introduction to the Chicago market took place at the 1998 Chicago Auto
Show in February when the company debuted its new minivan, set to go on sale
in model year 2000.
The new dealership openings are part of Kia's planned expansion into the
Midwest in 1998. With the addition of the new Chicago-area dealers, Kia
vehicles now are on sale at more than 370 locations in 35 states.
Kia currently sells two vehicles -- the Sephia (pronounced Seh-FEE-uh)
compact sedan and the Sportage (SPORT-ij) sport-utility vehicle. A third
model, the Sportage 2-Door Convertible, is due out in the spring.
"We expect that the people of Chicago will find a lot to like in our
vehicles," explained Greg Warner, Kia's executive vice president and chief
operating officer. "Our research has told us that, more than ever, they are
seeking value and quality, and that's what Kia vehicles deliver. The Sephia
features more standard equipment than many of its competitors, yet its
starting price begins well below that of other compact sedans. Our Sportage
makes the fun and versatility of a sport-utility vehicle affordable to more
consumers than ever before."
Before retail sales began in the United States in 1994, Kia sent its cars
through an extensive series of tests, including putting 2,000 Sephia compact
sedans into service at Budget Rent-A-Car in 1993. Using a strategy devised by
Warner, Kia has spent the last four years establishing dealerships on a
market-by-market basis. Starting in the West and Southwest, Kia Motors
America expanded across the Sun Belt, into the Southeast and then up the
Atlantic Coast as far as New York. This year, Kia will continue its market-
by-market strategy by expanding into New England, and the balance of the
Midwest. Kia expects to have dealerships nationwide by the end of 1998.
"We only choose dealerships that demonstrate a commitment to serving their
customers. Our mission is to provide affordable, value-filled vehicles, and
our dealers have to maintain that same high standard," Warner said. "We want
dealers who 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) four-cylinder engine and dual airbags.
The Sportage was the recipient of a 1997 and 1998 "Best Overall Value of
the Year" award from IntelliChoice, Inc., an independent consumer research
firm. The Sportage was also 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 10 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 and versatility in mind. It is powered by a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC
four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission standard and automatic
transmission optional. The Sportage's driver- and passenger-side airbag
system includes the world's first knee airbag. The Sportage is available in
both two-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive. 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.
ILLINOIS AREA DEALERSHIPS
Elmhurst Kia Kia of Naperville
330 W. Grand Ave. 3300 Ogden Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126 Lisle, IL 60532
630-833-6700 630-505-8282
Glendale Kia Dave Miller Kia
484 E. North Ave. 4550 W. Lincoln Highway
Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Matteson, IL 60443
630-469-6100 708-481-2200
Woodfield Kia William Kia
680 W. Higgins Rd. 6752 W. 95th Street
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 Oak Lawn, IL 60453
847-310-1900 708-430-1515
Bill Jacobs Kia Rizza Kia
2001 W. Jefferson Street 15690 S. Harlem Ave.
Joliet, IL 60434 Orland Park, IL 60462
815-725-7110 708-429-2020
Liberty Kia Arlington Kia in Palatine
921 S. Milwaukee Ave. 1290 E. Dundee Road
Libertyville, IL 60048 Palatine, IL 60067
847-680-8000 847-991-9000
Bredemann Kia St. Charles Kia
140 N. Northwest Highway 2535 E. Main St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068 St. Charles, IL 60174
847-698-3334 630-584-3900
Rock River Kia Kia of Waukegan
202 N. Alpine Road 500 South Greenbay Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107 Waukegan, IL 60085
815-229-0510 847-360-1527
INDIANA DEALERSHIPS
Thomas Kia of Highland Southlake Kia
9825 Indianapolis Blvd. 4191 East Lincoln Highway
Highland, IN 46322 Merrillville, IN 46410
219-922-4979 219-947-1527
SOURCE Kia Motors America