Kia Motors America And LPGA Star Michelle Wie Donate New Car To Camp Pendleton’s Armed Services YMCA Operation Hero Program

On the eve of the fourth annual Kia Classic Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament at Aviara Golf Club, located at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia’s official golf ambassador – two-time LPGA winner Michelle Wie – paired up today to donate a new 2014 Sorento CUV to Operation Hero, one of the keystone programs of the nearby Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA).  Operation Hero provides free mentoring and tutoring to at-risk elementary-aged children of military families living at Camp Pendleton, which is home to more than 100,000 men and women of the armed forces and their families.  The range-topping Sorento is intended to shuttle staff and students from Camp Pendleton to various YMCA activities nearby.

“As a Southern California-based company, Kia Motors is deeply committed to supporting the local community that we call home,” said Tom Loveless, executive vice president, sales, KMA.  “Operation Hope delivers much-needed services and assistance to the children of our military service men and women and it is our privilege to be joined by Michelle Wie to help make a difference in young people’s lives.”

“Our tutoring and mentoring after school program, Operation Hero, provides critical skills to at risk military children in elementary school,” said George Brown, Executive Director, Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA.  “The hardships they deal with in a military lifestyle can lead to low self-esteem and poor academic performance.  Operation Hero fosters a positive environment, responsible behavior and encouragement to get back on track in school and home.”

The top-of-the-line Sorento SXL1 model, which will be introduced later in 2014 and is built at Kia’s U.S. manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia2, offers a new Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) V6 engine, a unique self-leveling Xenon HID head lights,  19-inch chrome wheels, sporty red painted brake calipers and luxurious Nappa leather trimmed seats. In addition, the Sorento  is Kia’s first vehicle to offer the company’s next-generation UVO eServices3 voice-activated telematics system.

The donation comes prior to Michelle Wie’s participation in the fourth annual Kia Classic, which has again attracted a strong field of the top LPGA players from around the world.  As part of the tournament’s $1.7 million purse, the winner will take home a first-place check for $255,000 and a new 2014 Kia Cadenza4, the most powerful and technologically-advanced vehicle the brand has  introduced in the U.S. to date.

Courtesy of Kia

Jim, it was our pleasure to be able to provide you with a great experience!

Review on Google+ Local

"Bought a new Kia Soul at Huffines in Mckinney, TX this week and we were very pleased with the experience. They have a large stock of Souls, and one was exactly like we wanted. The price was right. Steve Robertson was our sales person and he made the entire process as stress free as a car purchase can be. Highly recommend both Huffines and Steve." -Jim K.

Allison, thank you so much for your amazing review!

Review on Yelp

"i do not like buying cars. i hate it.  it sux.  did i mention it's awful?  huffines and specifically taylor blankeship, made it suck very little.  my hardest decision was whether or not to stay with sw kia in rockwall (my saleslady there did a great job too) or go with huffines.  i had to take the night and think it over since i'm often impulsive and that keeps me from doing stupid crap.  i'm going with huffines. here's why:  i called them to find out whether or not i was getting a good deal on the optima from southwest kia rockwall even though i was not getting the heated seats i wanted (and really kinda need due to sciatica problems that get worse with age and my utter lack of exercise lately).  she said yes.  i figured my swkr had done her best.  later on in the day i get an email from huffines saying they can do the heated seats for 9 dollars more a month.  i said my max was 455 payment.  period.  so she calls me back the next day and says DONE.   i told swkr what huffines had said, and they MET it but only after huffines came thru.  they didn't even to bother to try and beat it by like a buck.  taylor was told the deal up front, and i have to think that had i gone there first, rather than valuing customer loyalty where i had already purchased once, i would not be driving a car to test it out (which is designed to make you hate to return the car and make you sign of course) but rather driving MY  car now.  kudos to teresa at swkr for trying to get the finance guys to pay attention,  kudos to taylor at huffines for getting me the car i want with the equipment i want/need.  i gotta go with huffines." -Allison P.

Robyn, thank you for letting us know about the great job Tom did during your visit!

Review From Google+ Local

"I saw my dream car online-went down that day, and had the best assistance from Tom E!!!! He knew the car, he knew the bells and whistles, and he knew I wanted it! He helped us get our payments where we needed them, and made sure that we got what we wanted! I had to return a few days later for other things, and he took the time to get my car cleaned, and showed me everything again, since we had to stay so late the prior visit. He will get you what you need, and make sure you get the best deal! I have always traveled to another local dealership-but we know that we have made ourselves a new friend and dealership for life at Kia Mckinney!" -Robyn M.

Soul Recognized for its Ability to Keep Four Legged Friends Safe and Comfortable by Edmunds.com

Kia Motors America (KMA) has been one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. over the last five years1, and its top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the Soul, was recently named to Edmunds.com’s list of the 10 best vehicles for pet safety. Edmunds.com selected 10 cars that offer the most comfort and safety for Fido or Fifi at a great price. With a base MSRP of just $14,4002, it’s easy to see why the editors of Edmunds.com found the 2013 Soul so appealing.

“The fun, funky and functional Kia Soul has been recognized for its many positive attributes since first driving onto the scene back in 2009, and we are pleased to be adding ‘superior pet safety’ to this long list of accolades,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “For many, pets are considered members of the family, and they deserve safe and comfortable transportation like the rest of us. The Soul delivers on both of these fronts while also letting our furry friends travel in style.”

No stranger to pets, the iconic Soul has been a favorite among hamsters since 2009, when Kia introduced its landmark advertising campaign featuring the stylish and urban, music-loving creatures. The Soul was chosen by Edmunds.com for having a number of pet-friendly safety features such as standard side curtain air bags for crash protection and rear privacy glass to keep animals cool. The Soul’s boxy shape also provides an abundance of headroom for larger animals. Edmunds.com editors noted that the safety of pets in the car is closely related to the safety of the vehicle’s human passengers as improperly restrained pets can pose a threat to occupants in the event of an accident or even a minor fender bender.

"Not only are these vehicles safe for pets, but they also offer a certain measure of convenience for pet owners," said Edmunds.com Automotive Content Editor Warren Clarke. "And with each one of these vehicles starting at under $35,000, owners won't have to chase their own tails to make ends meet."

Courtesy of Kia

William and April, thank you for telling us about the great experiences you've had with our dealership!

Reviews From Google+ Local

"I love this location! I thought maybe 3 years ago when my wife and I were looking to purchase a car that we got lucky. However, I've learned thru service follow ups, parts and other friend referrals that what happens here you will find at every Huffines location. My Step Grandfather sold used cars for 40 years because he wanted a relationship not just a sale. He would've loved to work here!" -William S.

"Always good service here!" -April K.

$500 Sorrento, Optima, & Soul Instant Rebate

$500 Instant Rebate on all 2012 & 2013 Optima & Soul models and all 2012, '13, & '14 Sorrento models at Huffines Kia McKinney! Exclusive to the Metroplex and rebate available from 3/13/13 - 4/1/13! Don't pass up on this exclusive rebate!

2013 Kia Rio Wins Motorweek Drivers’ Choice Award For Best Subcompact Car

 Kia Motors America (KMA) has been honored with a MotorWeek Best Subcompact Car Drivers’ Choice Award for the 2013 Rio at the Chicago Auto Show.  MotorWeek, one of television’s longest-running and most respected automotive programs, recognized the sporty Rio for its impressive styling, practicality and tremendous value.  

“As our smallest and most affordable offering, the Rio delivers an athletic feel and fresh design while bringing an abundance of standard amenities that elevate Kia’s value proposition to new levels of sophistication,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications, KMA. “Being recognized by MotorWeek for a second consecutive year is a testament to the Rio’s ability to meet – and exceed – our customers’ expectations.”

Among the most prestigious honors in the industry, the annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards judge vehicles across a range of 13 different lifestyle categories. The editorial staff selects the best vehicle in every segment, including cars, trucks and utility vehicles, based on evaluations of performance, technology, practicality, value and driving experience.

 “No subcompact has road manners that impress us more than the Kia Rio,” said MotorWeek host John Davis. “Sleek, sporty and affordable, the Kia Rio delivers full-size comfort and technology in a pint-size package.”

About the 2013 Rio

Available in three trims – LX, EX and SX – the 2013 Rio is available with a 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injection (GDI) four-cylinder with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission (LX only) or efficient six-speed automatic.  One of only two vehicles in the segment to offer a GDI engine, the 2013 Rio provides an inviting combination of power and efficiency, achieving 138 horsepower while maintaining an EPA estimated 30/ 36 mpg (city/highway with ECO package)[2].  The 2013 Rio greets drivers and passengers with a bold and modern cabin, centered on Kia's horizontal three-cylinder instrument panel and a two-tone color scheme to emphasize a feeling of spaciousness and comfort.  The Rio sedan proudly wears its own interpretations of Kia's signature grille, slimmed down to connect to the dynamic headlamp design.  Exhibiting highly sculpted, sloping shoulder lines and wedge-shaped exteriors, the sedan projects an athletic profile that conveys power and agility.

Courtesy of Kia

Winter, thank you for the amazing review of Tom and our dealership!

Review From Google+ Local

"Let me first say in the past, my husband and I have had some bad, BAD experiences with buying vehicles for our family.  Going into the McKinney Huffines KIA dealership, from the start--there was NO pressure. We worked with a *wonderful* gentleman named **TOM EPPLER** who was, without a doubt, the reason why in the end we came back to McKinney KIA after shopping around at different dealerships and vehicle types. Working with Tom was easy, breezy--and we never once felt patronized or 'taken' for.  Please do yourself a favor---check this dealership out, and when it comes time to purchase---go ask for Tom--you WON'T be sorry." -Winter E.

Reader’s Digest Names Kia Soul “Best Car Deal Under $15,000”

Kia Motors America (KMA) has been one of the fastest-growing car companies in the United States over the last five years1, and its top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the Soul, adds another award to the collection after being named one of the “Best Car Deals Under $15,000” by Reader’s Digest.  Announced in the March issue of Reader’s Digest, five cars were awarded this distinction with the Soul standing out for its innovative design and technological advancements.

“The Soul is the vehicle that sparked Kia’s design led transformation back in 2009, and it has been a runaway hit ever since,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Inclusion in the Reader’s Digest list is another great honor for Kia, recognizing our funky urban passenger vehicle’s winning combination of technology and value.  It’s gratifying that the vehicle that jumpstarted our unprecedented growth continues to resonate so well.”

The Soul was named the best car for high-tech drivers, with Reader’s Digest editors noting that the base model offers customers Bluetooth®2 hands free connectivity and USB connections for audio and recognizing the Eco package for its focus on efficiency.

“Reader’s Digest aims to enrich our readers’ lives by helping them navigate and discover high-quality products in the marketplace,” said Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief and chief content officer, Readers Digest.  “We chose the Kia Soul for tech-savvy drivers, based on its value, amenities, design and that it’s packed with new technology that will help simplify their lives.”

Courtesy of Kia