News: Kia Motors makes rapid gains in 2005 JD Power quality study
News Kia Motors makes rapid gains in 2005 JD Power quality study - Spectra (Cerato) named runner-up in compact car segment - Overall, Kia posts 13-point improvement in IQS score (SEOUL) May 19, 2005 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its 2005 JD Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) nameplate ranking, which surveys the number of problems new vehicle owners experience after 3 months of ownership, improved markedly by 13 points to 140 problems per 100 vehicles compared to last year's study, thereby maintaining its status as one of the world's most rapidly improving auto brands in terms of product quality. The C-segment Spectra (called the 'Cerato' in some markets) was the second most improved model in this year's study, posting 100 problems per 100 cars (a 64-point improvement over last year) and finishing in the runner-up position in the compact car segment behind the Toyota Prius, while beating out competitors such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Meanwhile, the Sedona MPV (called the 'Carnival' in some markets) also showed impressive quality gains by recording a 32-point improvement in its IQS score to 137 problems per 100 vehicles. Over the last three years, Kia has made steady improvements in its overall IQS score, which has fallen from 168 problems per 100 cars in 2003 to 153 problems in 2004 and now to 140 problems in the most recent study, thereby placing Kia well within striking distance of the industry average of 118 problems per 100 vehicles. According to Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors, "Quality management is an ongoing top priority at Kia Motors, and we are making every effort to become an industry leader in offering the most reliable cars on the road. The hard work and dedication of all Kia Motors employees to exceed customers' expectations with unrelenting passion for quality improvement is being accurately reflected in recent JD Power IQS results. In fact, our overall nameplate quality has now surpassed the likes of Porsche, Volkswagen and Mazda." The annual IQS is the industry benchmark study for new-vehicle initial quality. This year, more than 62,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2005 model-year cars and trucks were surveyed. Kia Motors Corporation ( <http://autoway.kia.co.kr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.kiamotors.com /> www.kiamotors.com) -- the fastest growing automaker in the world -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world's premier automotive brands. Kia's 16 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 155 countries. Kia today has over 32,000 employees and annual revenues of $14 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.