VehiclesDB

Kia brands

South Korean carmaker founded as a bicycle-parts maker in 1944; Hyundai Motor has been its largest shareholder since 1998.

Kia owns 1 brand today: Kia.

Founded
1944
Country
South Korea
Headquarters
Seoul
Kia Sportage in grey
Its most registered: Kia Sportage
  1. Kia logo Kia

Brands Kia owns today

Most registered first, each with its most registered models.

Kia timeline

  1. Kim Cheol-ho founded Kyungsung Precision Industry, the origin of Kia.

  2. Renamed Kia Industries.

  3. Ford began buying shares in Kia.

  4. Renamed from Kia Industries to Kia Motors.

  5. Placed under court receivership after a court-arranged standstill agreement three months earlier.

  6. Hyundai Motor selected as the final acquirer after an international bidding.

  7. Ford sold its 9.4% stake in Kia.

  8. Emerged from court receivership 15 months after the Hyundai acquisition.

  9. Corporate name changed from Kia Motors to Kia.

Partners, not owners

Companies in an alliance or a shared company work together. None of them owns the others' brands.

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