Hyundai and Kia Recall 2011 Santa Fe and 2011 Sorento for Defective Brakes

Hyundai and Kia have issued separate recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento respectively over the same issue concerning the rear brake calipers that may not have been properly machined.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defective calipers could lead to brake fluid leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel. If the problem is not taken care of, it will lead to reduced braking power.

The recall affects some 7,697 Kia Sorentos manufactured from September 14, 2010, through October 4, 2010, and 1,783 Hyundai Santa crossovers Fe built from September 28, 2010, through November 25, 2010.

Naturally, dealers from both automakers inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The two companies have not yet provided an owner notification schedule.

Kia Recalls 56,000 Souls, Sorentos in US and S. Korea

Kia Motors said on Friday it had started a recall of some 56,000 Soul and Sorento vehicles sold in the United States and South Korea due to defective wiring harnesses that could cause fires. Some harnesses supplied by Johnson Controls for lighting in 2010 model-year Soul cars and 2011 model-year Sorento SUVs were improperly soldered, leading to possible electrical shorts, Kia said in a letter to U.S. safety regulators on August 30.

There were no reports of accidents or injuries due to the issue, which was identified in June, said Kia, an affiliate of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. Kia determined that a recall was needed on August 23.

The U.S. recall covers 23,972 Soul cars produced from September 7, 2009, through June 8, 2010, and 11,213 Sorento vehicles built from October 23, 2009, through July 30, 2010, according to the notice filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In August, NHTSA launched a probe into possible steering defects in the 2010 model-year Soul after a driver said a steering shaft detached from the steering wheel in a two-month-old vehicle and fell onto the driver's side floor, causing a complete steering loss and limited braking.

[Source: Reuters/Kia]

Kia Canada Launches "Drive Change" National Marketing Campaign

PRESS RELEASE: Kia Canada Inc. launches industry-first national marketing campaign - 'Drive Change'

- 'Drive Change' reflects how Kia is leading change in the automotive
industry through its world class design

- 'Drive Change' also signifies Kia's commitment to impact change by
helping to improve communities in Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 21 /CNW/ - Kia Canada Inc., a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart announced today the industry-first, 'Drive Change' national marketing campaign. The campaign will focus on the evolution of the Kia brand, showcase its new world class design-led portfolio while reaching out and creating an emotional connection with Canadian consumers through its most recent commitment to social responsibility.

"We have worked very closely with our marketing partners, Innocean Canada and David & Goliath to develop an innovative and compelling campaign. The campaign clearly identifies our new world class automotive design attributes while at the same time reflecting Kia Canada's ongoing commitment to help local communities" said Maria Soklis, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kia Canada Inc. "Drive Change will be the conduit to heightening our brand awareness by reaching out to establish an emotional connection with consumers through both traditional and social media; thus differentiating Kia from other automotive manufacturers."

Kia Canada has invested in an integrated media campaign that involves the production of four television spots, prevalent on-line positioning, strategically placed bill boards, cinema presence, newspaper and magazine.

[Source: Kia Canada]

READ MORE for the second video of the campaign (feat. the Sorento) as well as the complete press release with more information.



Kia Canada is also revealing dedicated Facebook (www.facebook.com/kiacanada), Twitter (www.twitter.com/kiadrivechange) and You Tube (www.youtube.com/kiacanada) outlets. These channels document the step-by-step creation of the 'Drive Change' campaign and will serve to provide communication moving forward. This provides Kia with a unique and creative way to reach out to consumers.

The two-initial television spots for 'Drive Change' were captured recently over two, fifteen-hour sessions through time-lapse technology. These spots document life changing improvements for two different groups through the support of volunteers, Kia Canada Inc. employees and the use of Kia vehicles - Soul and Sorento.

The first television spot was captured at the Second Base Youth Shelter in Scarborough, Ontario which underwent a major basketball court restoration for the shelter residents. The court was virtually unplayable. As a result, Kia Canada completely refurbished the court and surrounding area including court surface, basketball nets, player's benches and gardens.

The second television spot was filmed at the Gilder Avenue location of Toronto Community Housing. This location was also in immediate need of a grounds restoration at the complex. Improvements made were the direct result of the resident's feedback and included the implementation of a common green space sitting area, sustainable vegetable gardens and a sectioned-off disposal area with wheel chair access.

Kia is inspiring and propelling change by differentiating themselves from other automotive manufacturers as a dynamic and youthful brand that is community conscious and responsible.

The next phase of brand evolution will witness the launch of the 2011 MY Sportage as well as three additional vehicles over the next twelve months. Kia is emerging as one of the world's top automotive companies and recently surpassed one million sales worldwide through the first six months of 2010.

The mandate of Kia Motors Corporation is to continue to strengthen and grow its global presence while maintaining a strong social consciousness. Toward this end, Kia Motors is implementing a variety of international and local community based programs aimed at developing long-term, economically and culturally sensitive relationships across its global network through universally shared interests such as sports, environmental, health and education issues.

Kia Reports Best Sales Quarter Ever (USA)

Kia Motors America today announced its best sales quarter ever of 93,373 units, bolstered by the company’s best June sales ever of 31,906 units, a 12.8-percent increase over the previous June best in 2008. Year-to-date sales of 170,069 are up 15.4-percent, and the 2011 Sorento was Kia’s best-selling vehicle for the sixth consecutive month with 8,608 units sold. Strong sales of the Forte and Soul were also accounted for, with 7,467 and 6,429 units sold respectively.

“Kia Motors’ design-led transformation is attracting new buyers to Kia showrooms, as evidenced by our best-ever first half of the year sales,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). “Consumers are taking notice of the eye-catching design and long list of comfort, convenience and technology features found in our new generation vehicles, including the Sorento, Soul and Forte, and our aggressive launch schedule will continue with the arrival of the all-new Sportage this summer followed just a few months later by the all-new Optima.”

[Source: Kia Motors America]

USA: 2011 Kia Sorento Starts at Under $20K

The 2011 Kia Sorento hits showrooms in January, and as the U.S. Kia consumer Web site reads, will start at $20,790. That price will get you a base trim Sorento with a 2.4L four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. Step it up to the LX and you'll still get the four-banger making 179-hp/169 lb-ft, but have the option for front-wheel or four-wheel drive. A six-speed automatic gearbox comes with the trim as well.

Top tier seven-passenger EX editions can be had with the four-cylinder or the 276-hp 3.5L V-6 with 248 lb-ft of torque. It too gets either front-wheel or four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.

Base and LX models get features like 17-in. alloys, air conditioning, dual curtain and side airbags, four-wheel ABS, and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Bluetooth with Sirius Audio system, 18-in. wheels, fog lights, push buttons start, back up warning system, and traction control are just some of the standard goodies on the Sorento EX .

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading for the full price list.


Base -- 2.4L I4 M/T 4x2 $20,790
LX -- 2.4L I4 A/T 4x2 $23,190
LX -- 2.4L I4 A/T 4x4 $24,890
EX -- 2.4L I4 A/T 4x2 $25,390
EX -- 2.4L I4 A/T 4x4 $27,090
EX -- 3.5L V6 A/T 4x2 $27,990
EX -- 3.5L V6 A/T 4x4 $29,690


All prices include a $795 destination and handling charge.

Sales: Kia Posts Increases for September (USA)

Kia Motors America announced Thursday that its U.S. sales in September surged 24.4 percent over the year-earlier levels. Sales in September rose to 21,623 units from the 17,383 posted in September 2008. Year to date, the company's U.S. sales climbed 4.6 percent to 238,570.

Last month's top seller for Kia was the Optima mid-size sedan, as volumes jumped last month to 5,986 from 1,905. The automaker's new Forte compact sedan sold 4,449 units. The Soul and Rio also sold well with 2,459 and 2,811 units respectively. On the other side of the spectrum, sales of the Spectra plunged to 462 from 3,878, while Sorento volumes dropped to 854 units from 3,163 and Rondo sales fell to 653 from 2,642.

Kia is anticipating its sales momentum to continue rising over the next few months, as it is undergoing a substantial brand revitalization. New models in the pipeline include the redesigned 2011 Sorento, assembled at Kia's West Point, Georgia plant, an all-new Optima (TF), and the premium "VG" sedan set to launch next year.

[Source: Forbes & Kia]

Read more for the complete sales chart