KIA’S RAPID GROWTH DUE TO HARD WORK, DETERMINATION
AUTOMAKER TOPS 33 AUTOMOTIVE BRANDS IN J.D. POWER 2016 INITIAL QUALITY STUDY
Kia continues to experience solid momentum throughout Canada in 2016.
We have been able to grow our sales from 14,759 to 67,914 vehicles, representing a 360 per cent increase in just 16 short years in Canada, truly making us Canada’s fastest growing brand.
This has been accomplished through the hard work and determination of our dedicated employees and our Canadian dealer network.
This past year, Kia has received a multitude of recognitions by some of the industry’s top independent evaluation firms.
One great example for which I am very proud this year is J.D. Power’s recognition of Kia Motors attaining the highest score in its 2016 Initial Quality Study (IQS) out of 33 automotive brands. This achievement marks the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings.
Kia’s rise to the top in this year’s IQS study was driven by segmentleading performances from the Sportage Compact Utility Vehicle and Soul Urban Hatchback, while the Subcompact Rio, Compact Forte and Sorento Sport Utility Vehicle all ranked in the top three of their respective categories.
This quality recognition is a testament to the extensive investments we have made to our stateof-the-art global research and development centres.
From 2015 to 2018, our motor group will have invested $73 billion in R&D to further develop our world-class products and ad- vanced technologies such as “Drive Wise” advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), forming the foundation for the development of autonomous “self-driving” vehicles in the near future.
Much has been accomplished in recent years to increase the freedom of people through mobility. Our company’s commitment to enhance people’s lives by providing innovative mobility solutions is firm and ongoing; however, our concern for the environment also prevails.
As considerate citizens of the world, we at Kia want to make exemplary and sustainable contributions to the environment.
The green vehicle market, including Electric Vehicles (EV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) is predicted to increase to 5 million vehicles by 2020.
Forecasts vary by institution, but the unanimously held belief is that there will be substantial growth. In support of this change of automotive landscape, we at Kia plan to continue producing EVs and HEVs under our EcoDynamics sub-brand.
In late 2016/early 2017, to complement the current Soul EV and Optima HEV, we will see the launch of our company’s first dedicated eco-friendly model, the exciting all-new Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle (showcased at the 2016 Canadian International Auto Show), as well as the Optima PHEV; both will be offered in Canada.
With the plan of adding a PHEV to the Niro lineup, Kia’s green vehicle model lineup will grow to 14 models globally, covering a multitude of alternative powertrains by 2020.
Our aggressive approach to alternative powertrain offerings will enable our company to strategically meet future mobility demands of the market.
This approach will be a significant contributor to achieving our 2020 Fuel Efficiency Road Map, a plan to improve the average fuel economy of our vehicle lineup by 25 per cent over the next four years versus mid-2014 levels.
In order to achieve our goal of increasing efficiency by 25 per cent, we will focus on three main pillars: next-generation powertrain development; weight reduction of our lineup by means of ultra-high strength steel and lightweight materials; and expanding our brand’s eco vehicle lineup.
I can express with confidence that Kia Motors will continue its rapid growth success, both in Canada and globally, to help propel the automobile industry forward in terms of world-class design, advanced safety and ecotechnologies to meet the needs of our customers.