Kia is originally South Korean, with plants in Hwasung and Sohari but now it is a global manufacturer with plants in Slovakia, China and Virginia – USA. It also has assembly plants in Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Russia and Ecuador. Kia also has Research and Design Centers in South Korea, Japan, Europe and the USA.

Kia Motors, founded in 1944, began as a bicycle parts maker and now produces passenger cars, recreational vehicles, vans, buses and cargo trucks.

When you regularly service a car, there is little left for you to attend to. However you should always check tire pressure including the spare wheel (more on tires under the title Tires). Before a long journey check engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, cooling water level, and windscreen cleaning water. Also check the function of all lights for safer driving.

These are dealer fitted extras they could be purchased from dealer stock or ordered for you. Please consult with your nearest Kia Service Center for a list of accessories available for your Kia model.

A service contract is an agreement between yourself and the Kia dealer whereby the dealer undertakes to supply you with an agreed menu of service items at a fixed price. There are a variety of menus to chose from, starting from a simple oil, lubes and filter to a comprehensive “gas and go” menu. A service contract assures you of known and fixed running cost.

There are several maintenance schedules used at a Kia service center. These depend on the distance crossed and the vehicle model but in all cases they entail a detailed check list that covers all aspects of a vehicle that should be inspected by a trained technician who also writes down his remark if any item needs rectification. The maintenance schedule is a strong tool in anticipating potential failures before a breakdown occurs, thus saving money and sparing you the owner the inconvenience of a sudden failure.

All vehicles require maintenance a regular maintenance program is a preventive service that assures trouble free motoring. Each Kia vehicle is supplied with a “service passport” that documents when each service takes place

In October 1998 , Hyundai was named the winning bidder for a controlling share of Kia Motors Corporation.

The word Kia has origins in the Chinese language with the first syllable, ki, meaning to arise or come up out of. The second part of the word, a, refers to Asia. So when you put it all together, Kia means to arise or come up out of Asia.