Content has been reconstructed based on interviews with stakeholders and historical records,
and may include partial dramatization for better understanding.
With just 500,000 won in capital
and a space of approximately 840 m²,
Kia's journey began in a small factory
that made bicycle saddles.
At the time, no one could have known that
this small factory would become
the cornerstone of Korea’s industrial rise.
Even in an era when owning a bicycle was a luxury,
Kia continued dreaming of advancing mobility.
In June 1973, Kia's Sohari plant finally
began operation, becoming the country’s
first fully integrated car manufacturing facility
capable of everything from engine
manufacturing to final assembly.
Kia’s journey to exporting
over 25 million vehicles worldwide
began with just 10 cars.
In September 1975,
a small batch of ten Brisa B-1000
pickup trucks set sail from Busan Port,
heading for Qatar.
Soon after,
33 cars, then 64, and 117.
Titan, Brisa, Bongo, and Cerato were among
the many Kia models making their way to new lands.
With Pride, the pride of the Korean auto industry,
Sephia, the first Kia model developed in-house,
and Sportage, the world’s first urban SUV
that stunned the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show,
Kia's global journey became a testament
to bold innovation and rapid growth on the world stage.
The walls of Europe—the birthplace of automobiles—
stood tall and strong.
Until 2005, outside of Koreatowns,
it was rare to see a Kia car in Europe.
But Kia never stopped challenging the status quo,
establishing a local car plant and
developing models specifically designed
to meet the needs of European consumers.
After building its first European plant in Slovakia,
Kia set its sights on the highly competitive compact segment.
By thoroughly analyzing the needs of urban-dwelling,
rational-minded customers in their 30s,
the Ceed—a model designed exclusively
for the European market—
was successfully introduced in 2006.
The name Ceed, like the seed it represents,
is full of meaning—rooting itself in Europe,
ready to bear fruit, with plans to proceed forward
and exceed the competition.
True to its name, Ceed reached the final shortlist
for European Car of the Year in its debut year,
etching Kia into the minds of European consumers.
A car unfamiliar in Korea but well-known in Europe,
Ceed broke down the walls that protected
the birthplace of automobiles and shattered
the stereotypes of Asian car brands.
Today, Ceed remains a beloved icon,
capturing hearts across Europe.
In 2015, Kia, already present in over 170 countries,
decided to tackle a market
where it had yet to sell a single car.
That market was India—home to 1.3 billion
people and an area 14 times the size
of the Korean Peninsula.
With a massive 60% import tariff, Kia’s cars had
no way to reach Indian roads unless a local
manufacturing plant was established.
Kia boldly embarked on a project to build
a plant in India, and four years later in 2019,
the factory was completed, marking
the beginning of Kia’s journey in India.
In the same year, Seltos made its world premiere,
the first Kia global launch in India.
Carefully designed to meet the unique demands
of India’s climate, road conditions,
and consumer preferences,
Seltos stood out as a vehicle unlike any other.
Within just three years of launch,
it surpassed 1 million units in cumulative sales,
setting a historic record as the fastest model
in India to reach that milestone.
From not selling a single car to becoming
a market leader in just three years,
Kia has left an indelible mark
on the Indian automotive landscape.
What makes a car great for Americans?
As Kia was finding its footing in
the unfamiliar U.S. market,
it focused on the values that
truly mattered to customers
—aiming to build not just trust,
but genuine affection.
Quality time with family,
a comfortable and enjoyable space―
these were the values Kia discovered
to be most important.
Reflecting this insight,
Telluride became more than
just a class leading SUV.
It became a vehicle that made experiences
with family more memorable than ever.
In its debut month of February 2019,
Telluride sales in the U.S. skyrocketed
to 5,080 units.
Since then, over 580,000 Tellurides
have been sold1—becoming one of
America's most beloved cars.
1) Feb 2019–Feb 2025 based on U.S.-produced Telluride sales
data, source: Kia official website IR materials
In 1975, Kia’s export volume was
just 10 cars to one country.
By 2023, that number had grown to
over 2.5 million cars spanning over 170 countries.1
As of 2024, total cumulative global sales reached over 60 million vehicles.2
From a brand rarely nominated for awards
to one now sweeping industry accolades.
From cars once driven only by Koreans
to a global mobility brand loved around the world.
Over the past 80 years,
Kia has continuously broadened its global presence.
As a mobility brand that brings new experiences
and inspiration to the world,
Kia never stops moving forward.
1, 2) Source: Kia official website IR materials
