Kia America

Kia (Korean: 기아), formerly known as Kyungsung Precision Industry and Kia Motors Corporation, is a South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer that is founded on June 9, 1944. It is currently headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
==History==
On June 9, 1944, Kia was founded as the Kyungsung Precision Industry.http://www.kia.com/worldwide/about_kia/company/history_of_kia.do
In 1952, Kyungsung Precision Industry changed its name to Kia Industries.https://web.archive.org/web/20060926185044/http://www.kia.co.za/history.asp
===Hyundai takeover===
In 1997, Kia declared bankruptcy during the Asian financial crisis, and in 1998 reached an agreement with Hyundai Motor Company to diversify by exchanging ownership between the two companies. The company still owns Kia to this day.
===YouTube===
On November 7, 2008, Kia America created their YouTube channel. The first public video was uploaded on June 30, 2020, titled "First Look | 2021 Kia K5 Mid-Size Sedan".https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afvxp501j7Y
==Etymology==
According to the company, the name "Kia" derives from the Sino-Korean characters 起 (ki, 'to arise') and 亞 (a, which stands for 亞細亞, meaning 'Asia'); it is roughly translated as "Rising from (East) Asia".https://web.archive.org/web/20180813075752/https://www.carriagekia.com/5-things-about-kia-motors-revealed-gainesville-ga/
==Controversies==
===Kia Challenge===
On October 2022, A TikTok trend called "The Kia Challenge" had started to go viral where people steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the United States, which has led to eight fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/18/23729229/hyundai-kia-settlement-car-theft-challenge-tiktok
====United States====
In 2022, Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts in Los Angeles and Chicago increased by 85% and nine times respectively, with children as young as 11 participating in these incidents, indicating a growing trend in vehicle thefts.https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/08/tiktok-challenge-spurs-rise-in-thefts-of-kia-hyundai-cars.html
====Australia====
Two Kia cars in Brisbane were damaged by Kia Challenge participants in failed theft attempts,https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/alarming-new-tiktok-social-media-challenge-targets-popular-car-model-kia/60074842-f5be-439d-95ac-f30e2fd8f020 despite the vulnerability not existing in Australian cars since 2001.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-16/hyundai-kia-update-security-after-tiktok-challenge-thefts/101982070
===Responses===
TikTok has pledged to remove Kia Challenge videos, a move prompted by increased vehicle thefts. Kia and Hyundai have acknowledged the issue, stating that new vehicles with immobilizers are going to be available, starting in 2022.https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article263801328.htmlhttps://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3768?uuid=lSsVufn8jKhEaxLg2980
==Sponsorship==
Kia Motors sponsors the following sports teams, events, venues, and athletes:
===Venues===
*Kia Arena
*Kia Forum
*Kia Oval
===Sports associations===
*League of Legends European Championship (LEC)
*FIFA
*UEFA
*Liga ACB
*National Basketball Association (NBA)
*Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
===Sports events===
*Archery World Cup
*Asian Games
*Australian Open (tennis tournament)
*Copa América
*FIBA Asia Championship
*FIFA World Cup
*Kia Classic (LPGA)
*Kia Lotos Race
*Kia Super League (cricket)
*Korea Speed Festival
*UEFA Europa League
*Universiade
*X Games
*X Games Asia
===Sports teams===
*A.C. Monza (Italian association football team)
*Atlanta Falcons
*Atlético Madrid (Spanish professional football club, from 2005 to 2011)
*B-SAD (Portugal association football team)
*Bengaluru FC (Indian professional Football Club, from 2018 to 2020)
*Boston United FC (English Football Club)
*Brisbane Broncos (National Rugby League)
*Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (National Rugby League)
*DWG KIA (South Korean professional esports organization)
*England women's cricket team
*FC Hansa Rostock (German association football team, from 1999 to 2002)
*FC Steaua București (Romanian association football team)
*Greater Western Sydney Giants (Australian Football League)
*Kia Forte (Shakey's V-League)
*Kia Picanto (Philippine Basketball Association)
*Kia Speed Skating Academy
*Kia Tigers (Korean Baseball Team in Gwangju, South Korea)
*Philippines national football team
*Qormi FC (Maltese association football team)
*Rogue (European professional esports organization)
*Slovakia national football team
*South Korea national speed skating team
*Surrey County Cricket Club
*Udinese Calcio (Italian association football team, from 2004 to 2006)
*Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
===Athletes===
*Ryan Ford (MMA fighter)
*Fernando González (Chilean tennis player – 2004 & 2008 Olympic medalist)
*Badr Hari (Moroccan kickboxer)
*LeBron James (Global brand ambassador)
*Blake Griffin (NBA basketball player)
*Lee Sang-hwa (Speed skater)
*Yulia Lipnitskaya (Russian figure skater)
*Aliya Mustafina and Viktoria Komova (both Russian artistic gymnasts)
*Rafael Nadal (Global brand ambassador)
*Manny Pacquiao (Filipino boxer)
*Adelina Sotnikova (Russian figure skater)
*Michelle Wie (Official golf ambassador & spokesperson – KMA)
*Dylan Alcott (Australian tennis player)
*Eric Keogh (Kia Race Series winner 2 years in a row)
===Actors===
*Pierce Brosnan
*Laurence Fishburne
*Christopher Walken
*Tiger Shroff
===Musicians===
*BLACKPINK
*Chase Bryant
*Hyolyn
*Matthew Koma
*MisterWives
*Weezer
===Music events===
*Live at The chapel (Australian music concert)
*Vans Warped Tour
*YouTube Music Awards (2013)
*Melon Music Awards (2019)
===Charity events===
*We Can Be Heroes (joint-venture between Kia and DC Comics);
===Entertainment===
*Inside the NBA
*Tobot
*X-Men
==Slogans==
*The Car That Cares (2000–2005)
*The Power To Surprise (2005–2021)https://www.kia.com/worldwide/about_kia/brand/brand_identity.do
*Give It Everything (2019–2021, United States)https://web.archive.org/web/20200603191300/https://www.friendlykia.com/blog/kia-new-slogan-2019/
*Movement that inspires (2021–present, Worldwide)
==Subsidaries==
*Kia America
*Kia Canada
*Kia Central & South America
*Kia Middle East/Iran
*Kia Europe
*Kia Mexico
*Kia India
*Kia Lucky Motors Pakistan
==Former names==
*Kyungsung Precision Industry (1944-1952)
*Kia Motors Corporation (1952-Present)
==Trivia==
*As of 2021, Kia has over 52K employees.
*It is served Worldwide (except Japan and North Korea).
==References==
Category:Users who joined in 2008
Category:South Korean YouTubers
Category:Tech YouTubers