Kia Master Technicians Vie For Skill National Cup Title

Kia University, the training arm of Kia Motors America (KMA), hosted the biennial Kia Skill National Cup competition at the company's headquarters in Irvine, Calif., to determine the top master-level technicians from each of the company's four regions (eastern, southern, central and western). The winning technicians on the national level will represent their respective dealerships and the U.S. at the Kia Skill World Cup, June 11-15 at the Chonan Technical Service Training Center in Seoul, South Korea. Kia's Skill Cup competitions encourage technicians to hone their technical skills to keep pace with the company's engineering advancements while promoting customer-care excellence and professional conduct.

"High-quality customer service begins with highly trained, professional technicians committed to diagnosing the root cause of any issues and making the necessary repairs on the first visit," said John Crowe, vice president, service and aftersale operations, KMA.  "Skill Cup competitors represent the best Kia technicians from across the country and around the globe, and they set the standard by which all Kia technicians are measured."

To qualify for the competition, technicians are given a 50-question online test, which requires comprehensive knowledge of Kia's powertrain designs, electrical systems and onboard vehicle management software. Only the top four test-takers in each of the four regions are selected to participate in the National Skill Cup challenge, a hands-on contest, in which technicians are judged on their ability to accurately execute Kia's five-step diagnostic process and successfully repair vehicles within specified time limits. While focusing on several diagnostic areas, participants most notably demonstrated their troubleshooting skills with Kia's latest drivetrain technologies, including that of the popular Optima Hybrid. In addition, finalists were judged on customer service criteria such as professionalism, safety and clean-up.

Of the 16 national finalists, only four will travel to Korea to compete for the honor of Kia's top technician in the Kia Skill World Cup. They are Jason Powell, Fox Kia; Michael Schwartz, Kia of Lynchburg; Ken Winders, Gene Messer Kia; and Christopher Cooley, Salazar Kia. See below for the full results of the 2012 Kia Skill National Cup.

Central Region

    1st Jason Powell, Fox Kia, Grand Rapids, Mich.
    2nd Max Umbs, Dick Brantmeier Kia, Sheboygan, Wis.
    3rd Tim Clark, Jeff Belzer's Kia, Lakeville, Minn.
    4th William Barcklay, Montrose Kia, Sheffield, Ohio

Eastern Region

    1st Michael Schwartz, Kia of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va.
    2nd Robert Worman Jr., Lehighton Kia, Lehighton, Pa.
    3rd Blair Vile, Steven Kia, Harrisonburg, Va.
    4th Thomas Cinque, Auto World Kia, East Meadow, N.Y.

Southern Region

    1st Ken Winders, Gene Messer Kia, Lubbock, Texas
    2nd Eddie Miller, Grindstaff Kia of Johnson City, Johnson City, Tenn.
    3rd Dean Dewitt, Bob Dance Kia, Merritt Island, Fla.
    4th Tommy Latulipe, Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn.

Western Region

    1st Christopher Cooley, Salazar Kia, Avondale, Ariz.
    2nd James Baker, Christopher Kia, Salt Lake, Salt Lake City
    3rd Thomas Cruz, The Kia Depot, Santa Ana, Calif.
    4th Robert Laursen, Larry H. Miller Kia Lakewood, Lakewood, Colo.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[1] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[2]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Huffines Kia McKinney - Coupons

Hey fans! Don't forget to check out our special offer this month. Get an oil change for only $9.95! Stop by today to take advantage of this amazing deal. Hurry, this offer ends on June 2nd. We look forward to seeing you!

Way to go Shane on providing this customer with excellent service!

"Shane was excellent to work with. We negotiated everything over email. I really appreciate using email and not wasting my time sitting in your showroom. Shane explained all functionality of the new vehicle. The entire purchase process took minutes, THANKS!!!!"-dpaulett

Stunning Optima making waves with sedan buyers

With the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and others, competition among midsize sedans has always been fierce. But that wasn't a deterrent when Kia launched the all-new Optima in 2010. Since it underwent a major redesign last year, the sleek and attractive ride has stood apart from the crowd.

The base LX and volume EX are equipped with a 2.4-liter gasoline-direct injection inline-4 cylinder engine, which generates 200 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 186 pounds-feet of torque at 4250. But lead-foot drivers can opt for the sporty SX and EX turbo trims, which get a 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder engine cranking out 274 hp at 6000 rpm and 269 pounds-feet of torque at 4500 rpm. Except for the LX, which is offered as a 6-speed manual, the rest come standard with a 6-speed auto, which shifts effortlessly.

Arguably, the steel-unibody based Optima is the boldest-appearing sedans in the market, thanks to a sweeping chrome arc from front to rear, projector headlights flanked by Kia's traditional tabbed grille, chrome/body color door handles and body-color side molding. The cabin touts notable standard amenities such as a cooled glove box, tilt/telescopic steering column, power door locks and windows, 60/40 split fold rear seat and remote keyless entry.

Base-priced at $19,500, with a mid-range at $23,200 and the high-end SX trim at $26,500. On the LX manual, EPA estimates are 24 city/35 highway. However, the SX is expected to get 22 city/34 highway. Our test-drive model managed 24 mpg in city/highway driving, which translates into about 440 miles driving before having to stop at the pump.

With striking looks, solid and stable ride, decent fuel economy and priced just right, the Optima competently meets the needs of most buyers in the midsize-sedan segment. And that means more sleepless nights for its rivals.

OPTIMA SX

Tires: P215/55R17 front; 255/45R18 rear

Suspension: independent MacPherson front; multilink rear

Steering: hydraulic power assist

Wheelbase: 110 inches

Length: 190.7 inches

Weight: 3,385 pounds

Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons

 

Courtesy of NITISH S. RELE | Tbo.com

2004 Volvo S80 at Huffines Kia McKinney for a great price!

Get a jump start to a fabulous weekend and check out our current specials! You can get 2004 Volvo S80 for only $9,985. Click here for more details.

 

Kia Motors America Wins Bronze "Effie" at the 2012 North American Effie Awards

When Blake Griffin leaped over a Kia Optima to win the 2011 NBA Sprite® Slam Dunk contest, footage of the dunk immediately went viral online and Kia Motors America (KMA) captured the historic moment with a 30-second ad spot that began airing less than 72 hours later. Yesterday, "Not Your Average Slam Dunk" received the Bronze Effie award in the "Single Impact Engagement" category at the 2012 North American Effie Awards ceremony in New York. The annual Effie Awards (short for effective) presented by Effie Worldwide, Inc., highlight the most effective marketing communications efforts in the U.S. each year.

In the midst of the largest new-vehicle launch in company history, Blake Griffin's slam dunk over a Kia Optima generated more than five million YouTube views, garnered 385 media placements and increased consumer purchase consideration by more than 20 percent, all within 48 hours of the dunk. Following the multifaceted Optima launch efforts and iconic slam dunk, significant increases in consumer awareness and perception of the Kia brand have led to record sales of the Optima midsize sedan as April marked the fifth consecutive month that the Optima was Kia's best-selling vehicle. The slam dunk also was the perfect catalyst for Kia, the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, to connect with Blake Griffin, who is now a global ambassador for the Kia brand and is the only professional basketball player with a global marketing relationship with an automaker.

"The unprecedented stunt of having a basketball star dunk over the Optima not only electrified spectators and sports fans everywhere, but landed the Optima in the center of a social media conversation that grew exponentially from the moment the ball went through the hoop," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "It is an honor to win the Bronze Effie for the slam dunk that broke all conventions and the ad spot that created lasting impressions of the Optima for sports fans and consumers alike."

In 2011, the Kia Soul marketing initiative earned the Gold Effie after taking home a Silver Effie in 2010.

About the 2012 Optima

The 2012 Kia Optima stands apart from the crowd with its head-turning design, fun-to-drive performance, modern amenities and long list of standard safety features. Kia's second U.S.-built* vehicle offers drivers cutting-edge technologies, including a standard eight-speaker Infinity®(2) audio system, HD Radio(TM)(3), and Kia's UVO powered by Microsoft®(4) voice-activated infotainment and communications system with a starting MSRP of $19,500(5).

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality(6) and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking(7). Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

SOURCE Kia Motors America, Inc.

Pre-Owned 2012 Kia Forte at Huffines Kia McKinney

Take a look at our online inventory of pre-owned vehicles to see offers like this 2012 Kia Forte for just $17,999!