Kia Canada Historical Timeline
Kia Motors is one of Korea’s leading automakers. Since its foundation in 1944, the company has grown into a global brand (74th leading brand worldwide), selling more than three million vehicles per year through its 19 sales offices and 4,821 dealerships in overseas markets. Closer to home, Kia Canada Inc. was established in 1999 and has achieved impressive growth including recent record years that exceeded over 70,000 annual vehicle sales through our 188 dealerships nationally. We invite you to scroll through our timeline to learn more about our history and important milestones and achievements.
Kia wins J.D. Power “Highest Ranked Mass Market Brand, Midsize SUV and Small Car in Initial Quality in the U.S.”
The Kia Brand, Sorento, and Rio received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands, midsize SUVS and small cars, respectively, in the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experience with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards.
July 12, 2018All-new Kia Stinger wins AutoGuide.com "Car of the Year"
February 21, 2018All-new Kia Stinger wins iF Product Design Award
February 13, 2018All-new Kia Stinger wins Motoring TV "Car of the Year"
February 13, 2018All-new Kia Stinger named finalist for the 2018 North American Car of the Year
December 1, 2017All-new Kia Stinger sports sedan is launched in Canada
November 17, 2017All-new 2018 Kia Rio launches in Canada
July 14, 2017Kia ranked #1 in initial quality by JD Power, two years in a row
June 22, 2017All-new Kia Rio wins 2017 Red Dot Design Award
April 1, 2017Kia becomes official automotive partner of Special Olympics Canada
March 28, 2017Optima Sportswagon, Niro and Rio receive iF Design Awards
February 7, 2017All-new Kia Niro launches in Canada
January 15, 2017All-new Kia Niro sets Guinness World Records title for hybrid fuel consumption
December 15, 2016Kia ranked 69th best global brand by Interbrand
October 7, 2016All new Kia Rio makes world debut at the Paris Motor Show
September 19, 2016Kia Mexico production facility officially opens
September 8, 2016Milestone 750,000th Kia vehicle sold in Canada
September 2, 2016Kia becomes first non-premium brand to top JD Power’s Initial Quality Study
June 22, 2016Kia Sportage and Kia Optima win 2016 Red Dot Design Awards
April 1, 2016Kia Telluride Concept revealed at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show
January 12, 2016Kia Sorento, Optima and Trail’ster recognized with GOOD DESIGN awards
December 23, 20152016 Kia Sorento earns title as AJAC’s “Best New SUV / CUV ($35,000 - $60,000)”
November 24, 2015Kia Motors earns best-ever ranking in 2015 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
June 17, 2015All-new Kia Sorento receives NHTSA 5-Star safety rating
April 24, 20152015 Kia Sedona named to Ward’s 10 Best Interiors list
April 16, 20152015 Kia Sedona earns NHTSA 5-Star safety rating
April 15, 2015All-new 2016 Optima sedan makes global debut at the New York International Autoshow
April 1, 2015Soul EV wins the 2015 Canadian Green Car Award at the 2015 Green Living Show
March 27, 2015Soul EV wins Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's (AJAC) Canadian Green Car of the Year Award
March 24, 2015The Kia SPORTSPACE Concept unveiled at the Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva
March 03, 2015Kia Soul EV wins Motoring TV 2015 ‘Best Electric Car’
March 02, 2015Kia Canada reveals the rear-drive GT4 Stinger at the 2015 Toronto International Auto Show
February 14, 2015Kia Motors storms into Chicago with electric all-wheel-drive Trail’ster concept
February 12, 2015Kia Soul wins second consecutive Canadian Residual Value Award from ALG
February 11, 2015All-new 2016 Sorento receives prestigious "iF Design Award"
February 3, 2015All-new 2016 Sorento revealed at the 2015 Montreal International Auto Show
January 15, 2015Trio of GOOD DESIGN awards awarded to latest Kia models
Kia K900, Soul EV and GT4 Stinger honored in ‘Transportation’ category
January 07, 2015Kia Canada scores a win at Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year Awards
2015 Kia Soul EV earns title as “Best New City Car”
December 02, 2014Kia Canada Inc. kicks off fourth annual Drive Change initiative
August 21, 2014Kia Motors kicks off FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 with national vehicle handover ceremony
July 31, 2014‘Grand Prix’ design award presented to Kia's Chief Designer Peter Schreyer
January 29, 2014New Kia Soul wins iF Product Design Award
January 28, 2014Kia shocks the Motor City with rear-drive GT4 Stinger Concept at 2014 North American International Auto Show
January 13, 2014Kia Canada scores two wins at Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year Awards
2014 Soul "Best new Family Car under $30,000" & 2014 Sorento "Best New SUV/CUV $35,000-$60,000"
December 04, 2013Chief Design Officer of the Hyundai Motor Group, Peter Schreyer, honoured in the 2013 Golden Steering Wheel
November 08, 2013Kia Canada launches the refreshed 2014 Kia Optima
October 18, 2013Kia Motors brand value increases by 15% to USD 4.7 billion
September 30, 2013Hyundai Motor Group opens European Test Centre at the iconic Nürburgring
September 13, 2013Kia Niro concept is unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show
September 10, 2013Kia Canada partners with Student Car Share to launch the first car-sharing service of its kind in Canada
August 29 2013Kia Canada’s 3rd annual Drive Change Day
August 21 2013Kia enters Interbrand’s 50 Best Global Green Brands
June 2013Kia surpasses half of a million units sold in Canada
January 8, 2013Kia enters Interbrand’s Top 100 Global Brands
October 2012Kia Canada’s second annual Drive Change Day
August 21, 2012Optima named Motoring TV 2012 Car of the Year and Best New Family Car
February 2012Rio named Motoring TV 2012 Best Small Car under $21,000
February 20122012 Kia Optima LX receives AJAC Award for 2012 Best New Family Car (under $30k)
October 20112012 Kia Optima Hybrid receives AJAC Award for 2012 Best New Family Car (over $30k)
October 2011Kia Canada surpasses 400,000 sales
August 29, 2011Kia Canada sells its 355,000th vehicle in Canada
December 15, 2010KCI surpasses 50,000 annual sales in Canada for the first time
December 2010Kia launches the all-new 2011 Sportage
The all-new 2011 Sportage and its cutting-edge design launches in North America.
Explore SportageAugust 20102011 Sportage receives Motoring TV 2011 Car of the Year award
January 19, 2010Kia sells its 300,000th vehicle in Canada
November 2009Kia Motors’ first North American manufacturing plant
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), opens for operation.
November 2009Kia Canada partners with MADD Canada
Kia Canada partners with MADD Canada in the fight against impaired driving, and providing vehicles for national school assembly program.
November 2009Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group joins ranks of Global Top 5 Automakers
July 2008Kia debuts the Koup concept at the 2008 New York International Auto Show
April 2008Kia Canada sells its 200,000th vehicle in Canada
June 2007Kia Canada establishes partnership with the Toronto Football Club
Kia Canada establishes partnership with the Toronto Football Club as the official automotive sponsor.
2007Groundbreaking ceremony in Georgia for Kia Motors’ first North American manufacturing plant
October 20, 2006Kia hires Peter Schreyer as Chief Design Officer from Audi
July 2006Kia Canada Inc. opens its new state-of-the-art 160,000 sq. ft. national head office in Mississauga, Ontario
April 29, 2005Kia Motors declared the Fastest Growing Automaker in the World by world-class research firm Global Insight
2005Kia Canada sells its 100,000th vehicle
December 2004Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group is ranked #7 in worldwide sales
2004Kia Motors celebrates its 60th anniversary
2004Kia Canada introduces the all-new Amanti luxury sedan
November 2003Kia’s new flagship vehicle
The Sorento SUV, is launched in Canada.
Explore SorentoNovember 2002Kia Canada sells 50,000th vehicle
May 1, 2002Kia Canada sells over 26,000 vehicles in second full year of operation
December 2001The Sedona is introduced and earns a quadruple 5-star Safety Rating from the NHTSA
The highest possible rating for a minivan.
April 2001New vehicles to Canada
Rio, Spectra and Magentis are introduced in Canada.
2000Kia Canada sells over 13,000 vehicles in its first full year of operation
2000Kia Canada sells over 1,400 Sportage and Sephia vehicles in Canada
December 1999The first Kia arrives in Vancouver
May 1999Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group is formed
1999In December, Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors merge
1998Kia cars exported in more than 170 countries
1996Annual production reaches 750,000 vehicles
1996Kia produces its four millionth vehicle and exports its one millionth
1995Sportage joins Sephia in U.S. dealerships
1995Kia attains ISO9001 certifications
Kia attains ISO9001 certifications for production of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and electric vehicles.
1994Kia celebrates its 50th anniversary
1994Kia begins manufacturing Korea’s first 16-valve DOHC gasoline engine
1993Production of the Avella begins
Marketed as the Ford Aspire in North America.
1993Corporate name is changed to Kia Motors Inc.
1990Kia becomes an equity partner with Ford and Mazda in the USA
1986Pride hatchback is produced and becomes Kia’s most widely sold vehicle to date.
It is also known as the Ford Festiva and Mazda 161.
1986Kia manufactures the Peugeot 604 and Fiat 132
Evidence of increasingly sophisticated technology.
1979Kia begins to export the brisa B-1000 pickup
1975Kia begins manufacturing the Brisa
Korea’s first passenger car.
1974Korea’s first internal combustion engine is manufactured
1973The Sohari plant opens
Korea’s first fully integrated automobile production.
1973Production of gasoline engines begins
1973T-2000 Truck is produced
1967K-360 3-wheeled cargo vehicle is introduced
Korea’s first domestically produced truck.
1962Product line expands to include Korea’s first motorcycle - The C-180
1961Production of Korea’s first domestic bicycle begins
1957Production of the C-100 motor scooter begins
1957Shihung Factory completed
1957Company officially named Kia Industries
1951Company established as Kyungsung Precision Industries
1944