At an event typically dominated by introductions from American auto companies, Kia Motors today stole the spotlight with the world debut of the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger (hereafter Stinger) at the North American International Auto Show. A five-passenger fastback sports sedan poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers, the Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history and is backed by Kia Motors’ industry-leading quality and reliability. Offered with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations and luxurious accommodations, the Stinger is planned to go on sale in the US late this year, and across Europe by the end of 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date.

Kia Motors Corporation announced today its 2016 full-year global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 3,007,976 units sold. This figure represents a 3.2% cumulative year-on-year increase compared to 2015.

Kia Motors has today released images of the all-new Picanto, the third-generation of one of Kia’s global best-selling cars. Created by Kia’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany, the new Picanto brings youthful and energetic character to the A-segment. The new model – revealed in Kia’s sports-inspired ‘GT-Line’ specification – conveys a more assertive stance through bolder body lines and subtly sculpted surfaces. A 15 mm-longer wheelbase (2,385 mm to 2,400 mm) also pushes the wheels further out into each corner for a more confident appearance. The Picanto’s colour palette is more vibrant than ever, with a choice of 11 bright paint options designed to make the car stand out.

Kia Motors today reveals the first design details of the Picanto, the third-generation of one of Kia’s global best-selling cars. The new Picanto combines a youthful and energetic new exterior and interior design with greater potential for customer personalization, inside and out. Retaining its characteristically compact dimensions, the new Picanto conveys a more assertive stance through bolder body lines and a vibrant colour palette.

Kia Motors Corporation announced today its October 2016 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 263,854 units sold. This figure represents a 4.9% year-on-year increase compared to the same month of 2015.

Kia Motors Corporation announced today its September 2016 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 252,586 units sold. This figure represents a 3.5% year-on-year increase compared to the same month of 2015.

The global value of the Kia Motors brand has grown by 12% over the last year, according to Interbrand’s exclusive list of the 100 ‘Best Global Brands’. According to the 2016 study, released today, Kia has risen five spots to become the 69th most valuable brand in the world. The Korean manufacturer’s estimated brand value grew from US$5.7 billion in 2015 to US$6.3 billion in 2016. This represents a seven-fold (603%) increase since 2006, the year in which the brand declared design-driven management as a key strategy behind the company’s future growth.

The new Kia Rio makes its world debut today in Paris at the 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile. Alongside the Rio, Kia will also introduce the latest upgraded versions of two of its cars, the Carens compact MPV and Soul urban crossover, as well as a new high-powered ‘SX’ version of the Soul.

Peter Schreyer is marking ten years of leading new car design for Kia, a period during which the Korean brand’s global sales have risen from around 1.1 million cars in 2005, to 3.05 million in 2015.