Kia Donates $500,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Recovery

Hurricane Sandy pounded the Eastern Seaboard of the United States at the end of October, leaving millions of residents without power, or worse, without homes. South Korean automaker Kia is doing its part to support those affected by the storm, donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross, which is providing food, supplies and shelter for victims.

"Luckily, much of Massachusetts escaped with relatively minor damage from Sandy, but those in states like New York and New Jersey didn't fare as well," said Dave Campbell, general manager of Quirk Kia, a Kia dealer in Massachusetts. "During times like this, it's important to come together and support those in need, and Kia is answering the call by helping lift up communities as they recover."

The American Red Cross isn't the only charitable group that has recently received support from Kia. The automaker has teamed up with DC Entertainment to raise awareness for the comic book brand's We Can Be Heroes campaign, which fights hunger in the Horn of Africa by benefiting the nonprofits Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps. With the help of West Coast Customs, RIDES magazine and Super Street magazine, Kia created five bespoke rides based on five members of the Justice League that were displayed at this year's SEMA Show, which ran Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.

Representing Batman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and Cyborg, the five Kias even stood out amongst the tricked-out rides at SEMA, thanks to their wild paint and body modifications. Each vehicle was adorned with superhero-worthy features, from the utility throwing stars in the center console of the Batman-themed 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited to the spokes on the Green Lantern-inspired Kia Soul that were shaped like the character's logo.

Other Justice League vehicles on display at SEMA included a Kia Forte Koup painted with flames to pay tribute to The Flash, a scaly-looking Kia Rio5 honoring Aquaman, and a Kia Forte 5-door with bulging bodywork that conjured the strength of Cyborg. In the coming months, Kia will create models dedicated to Superman and Wonder Woman to complete the set.

While Kia's modified rides received plenty of attention at SEMA, their stock counterparts have been making waves in the showroom. The auto brand set a new October sales record last month, boosted by the popularity of the Kia Optima sedan and Kia Sorento crossover. More than 42,000 Kia models were sold in October in the United States, a 13-percent increase compared to the same month last year. Kia's year-to-date sales are now up 18 percent year-over-year through October.

"From the show floor to the sales floor, more and more people are seeing the appeal of a Kia," added Campbell. "Even with all of its success, Kia is always looking for ways to make the world a better place, so it's an auto brand you can feel good about as well."

Courtesy of Read Media