Kia Information:Kia has been producing motorcycles in Japan since the mid-1940s, but the brand did not expand to four-wheeled vehicles until the 1970s. The following decade, Kia had a lineup of vehicles including the Capital, Concord, Pride and Potentia. The Pride was sold in the U.S. by Ford as the Festiva in 1987. In the early 90s, Kia started selling its own brand at select American dealerships. The company took advantage of the SUV popularity boom of the 90s and designed the compact Sportage, which debuted in 1995. The Sportage joined the Sephia, the brand's compact sedan.Over the years, Kia has held its own amid stiff competition, but the brand has flourished over the past decade. The Optima, Forte and Rio sedans as well as the Sportage, Sedona and Sorento all have sleek, stylish designs. But the recently introduced Soul wagon really shook things up with its boxy, modern look that targets a younger generation of drivers. The company has also made efforts to improve the performance and handling of its vehicles, as Kia once had a reputation for producing cars of a reduced quality compared to its competitors. However, the brand is shedding the old stigma with major redesigns and technological improvements. Kia models, especially those build within the last decade, provide an affordable and reliable option for drivers on a budget. New Jersey State Auto Auction carries a variety of Kia models, and everyone is CARFAX certified.
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