2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid Makes West Coast Debut at AltCar Expo

Santa Monica, CA - - The 2016 AltCar Expo will showcase the West Coast debut of the new 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid with free ride and drives open to the public. Representatives from Kia will be on hand to answer any questions.

The 11th Annual AltCar Expo, is the region's premier car show dedicated to alternative fuel vehicles and transportation. The two-day event will be held at the Santa Monica Civic parking lot and East Wing, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica, CA, Friday September 16 and Saturday September 17, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is free to the public.

The new Optima Plug-in Hybrid gets 29 miles of All-Electric Range. Powered by a state-of-the-art 9.8kWh lithium ion battery and an efficient 2.0L GDI 4-cylinder engine, the Optima Plug-in Hybrid also offers state-of-the-art driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), while connectivity is anchored by Kia's award-winning UVO telematics and standard Android AutoT and Apple CarPlay.

"AltCar is the perfect venue to debut our new plug-in hybrid," says Orth Hedrick, Vice President, Product Planning for Kia Motors America. "We are pleased to be a part of the Expo for several years and bring new technology to consumers."

Since its inception, AltCar Expo has featured the West Coast debut of the Chevy Volt, the first worldwide glimpse of the Honda Plug-In Accord, the Honda GX, the national kick off of the Nissan Leaf and Toyota RAV EV Tours, and the national reveal of the Ford CNG 150. Expo speaker sessions have featured some of the top decision makers from Federal and State agencies as well as directors of alternative technologies for all of the OEMs.

The goal of AltCar is to provide a very accessible and comprehensive setting where both industry and general public can discover existing alternatives to the way they use energy and transportation and motivate everyone to take further action. California leads the nation in alternative vehicles, incentives and fueling stations, with many states now following the state's example and implementing programs similar to those in California.

As always, mass transit exhibits and information will be available. Come learn more about the new light rail lines and bus routes. For additional information, visit http://altcarexpo.com/