Kia Dealers Rank Franchise Even Higher in Latest Survey

WEYBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM – September 7, 2009: Kia has leapt to become the third highest-ranked franchise amongst dealers according to the latest Retail Motor Industry National Franchised Dealers Association survey – just behind Audi and Toyota.

With improvements in the level of satisfaction in every area of the relationship between the brand and its dealers Kia has jumped three places since the last survey carried out during the winter of 2008-2009.

Dealers evaluate all aspects of their business relationship with manufacturers and the NFDA survey revealed that in overall performance terms Kia has continued its strong performance in terms of building partnerships and listening to dealers as well as reducing the intrusion of unnecessary bureaucracy on the operation of the business.

In particular Kia was rated as best for the dealer standards and advertising and was highly rated for profit return, future profitability, warranty and the support from field staff.

It was viewed as being the third most highly rated brand for seeking to build a partnership with dealers.

Since the last survey Kia has overtaken brands such as BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Volkswagen in the way it is viewed by its dealer network.

Kia Motors (UK) Limited Managing Director, Michael Cole said: “A huge amount of work has been put into improving the partnership we have with our dealers over recent years and during the recent economic turmoil we have focused even more effort on supporting our dealers rather than placing obstacles in their way.

“This remarkable performance – it is not so long ago that we were at the bottom of the rankings – is testimony to the hard work the Kia Motors team and the dealers have put into turning this brand into a leading mainstream alternative for new car buyers. We will seek to maintain the focus and the level of improvement in the future,” he added.