2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1999 Arcade

Blake Griffin travels back to 1999 to give his past self a piece of advice and show off his Kia Optima! What would you do if you went back to 1999?

Kia Signs Multi-Year Extension to Serve As Title Partner of Kia Classic

Kia Motors America (KMA) and the LPGA today announced the fourth-annual Kia Classic will move in 2013 to Aviara Golf Club located at the Park Hyatt Resort in Carlsbad, Calif.  The move comes with the announcement that KMA has signed a multi-year contract extension as title sponsor of the tournament.  The 2013 Kia Classic, which will feature a 144-player field, will be played March 18-24.

“Kia is one of the fastest growing auto brands in the U.S., and sports marketing initiatives such as our involvement with the LPGA have significantly raised awareness and consideration for the brand and our vehicles,” said Michael Sprague executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  “With the success of the past three tournaments, we are pleased to continue as title sponsor for the Kia Classic and bring the tournament to the luxurious Aviara Golf Club in 2013.”

The venue for the 2013 Kia Classic, Aviara Golf Club, which was named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America and the No.1 golf resort in San Diego according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, overlooks the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon ecological reserve and is the only San Diego golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.  Aviara features a memorable par-72 coastal layout that stretches 7,007 yards and is uniquely sculpted through rolling hillsides, native wildflowers and plenty of bunker and water challenges.  The golf club is part of the AAA Five Diamond-rated Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, which features 329 guest rooms, four on-site restaurants, full-service spa, tennis courts, fitness facility and more.

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Kia for the Kia Classic,” said LPGA Chief Marketing Officer Jon Podany.  “Kia has been a terrific partner, and the Kia Classic is one of the core pillars of the opening of our domestic season on the West Coast.  Kia has also done an outstanding job of integrating with the LPGA and activating behind the Kia Classic to make this tournament better every year.  We look forward to many more years.”

The 2013 Kia Classic sponsor exemption will be given to the winner of the UC Irvine Women’s Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia, February 25-26 at the Santa Ana Country Club.  This partnership will make the UC Irvine Women’s Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia the only collegiate tournament in the country that will allow the winner to qualify for an LPGA event.  Additionally, the Kia Classic will continue to host a hole-in-one giveaway contest for both the Pro-Am and the tournament with a 2013 Kia vehicle as the prize.

“The Kia Classic has established itself as one of the premier professional golf events, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to host a field of the world’s best female golfers,” said Mark Stiebeling, General Manager for Park Hyatt Aviara Resort.  “Our commitment to excellence will ensure that the players and fans alike are treated to a first-class experience on the golf course and throughout the resort.”

In 2012, Taiwan native Yani Tseng, the No. 1 player on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, won the third-annual Kia Classic at the La Costa Resort and Spa.  In 2011, the Kia Classic was the stage for another breakout win as Germany’s Sandra Gal became a Rolex-First Time Winner with her thrilling one-shot victory over eight-time LPGA Tour winner Jiyai Shin at Industry Hills Golf Club.

Kia’s Southern California-based LPGA tournament complements its sports marketing activities in the U.S., including its partnership with two-time LPGA winner Michelle Wie, who is the brand’s official golf ambassador.  Kia is also the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA (National Basketball Association), and recently completed its inaugural campaign in the Pirelli World Challenge auto racing series.

(Courtesy of LGPA)

Thank you, Johnny, for this great review. We appreciate you!

"I've never bought a new car before. I was somewhat skeptical when I came in as I am with all sales people. I was respected and all my questions were thoroughly addressed." - Johnny C.

Follow the link for the full review! http://bit.ly/12uaQ2v

Skip Young earning us a great review! Way to go!

Thanks, Skip! You've earned us a great review!

"Skip Young will personally make sure the process is enjoyable and satisfactory. Thanks guys. Five Stars." - Roger C.

Follow the link for the full review! http://bit.ly/12uaQ2v

Green Alien meets all-new Cerato!

Greenie can't help but going on a joyride in the all-new Kia Cerato! Let's see what Greenie's verdict is in the final episode of his adventures!

Kia’s UVO Puts A Leash On Teen Drivers

At this years LA Auto Show, Kia announced a high-tech feature that will have parents applauding at their teens moans of angst. Using the Korean automakers new infotainment system, UVO (short for "Your Voice"), parents will have more control over how, when and where their adolescents can drive.

Using what Kia calls geo-fencing, parents can designate zones on a map and receive text messages if their teens car wanders into (or out of) them. The whole system can be controlled by an app on the parents smartphone.

UVO also allows parents to set a speed limit on their teens cars. Its similar to Fords MyKey system, which not only allows parents to restrict speed, but also music volume. The Ford Fiesta comes with the MyKey system and it enables parents to prevent the stereo from turning on until everyone puts their seatbelts. Perhaps later versions of Kias UVO will consider extra features like that as well.

These parent-friendly features will debut on the 2014 Sorento and Forte and will expand to cover most other Kia models by the end of 2013. Right now the control app is only available for the iPhone but Kia plans to make it available on Android smartphones by next spring.

The voice-activated UVO with eServices has features that go beyond just restricting how teens drive. It can automatically place emergency calls in case of an accident, provide directions with Google Maps navigation, help you find your way through the parking lot with the parked-car locator and make vehicle diagnostics easier.

If your teens find a slick car from Kia with a red bow in the driveway this holiday season, they may just grumble a little less about Mom and Dad putting a cap on their speed.

(Courtesy of Advanced Technology & Design Korea)

Energy Saving Driving and Car Maintenance Tips!

Driving Tips

• Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.

• Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.

• Avoid high speeds. Above 60 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly.

• Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage by 1% to 2% for every 100 pounds.

• Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to buy a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5% or more.

• Check into telecommuting, carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.

Car Maintenance Tips

• Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using a different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1% to 2%.

• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.

• Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.

• Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.

• Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

(Courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

2013 Kia Sorento - A family friendly vehicle with space to spare

What would you do with all the space you'd have in your Kia Sorento? Any creative ideas?

Our service specials will help you save this season!

Don't let winter get the best of you! Make sure to take advantage of our December coupons and have your coolant flush for 15% off!

Follow the link to see this and other service specials! http://bit.ly/128LXJq

Kia Executive Says Brand Will Move Upscale in Five Years!

Kia has made quite an effort to improve its vehicles and brand image, but its still very much a mainstream brand competing with the likes of Toyota and Volkswagen. Now, the automaker has set its sights on more premium competitors with a goal of moving upscale and offering higher levels of quality and luxury.

According to New Zealand-based Scoop Independent News, Kia Motors vice-chairman Lee Hyoung-keun announced the companys new goal while speaking to a group of the automakers global dealers and distributors. Hyoung-keun said Kia should be among the list of "first-class brands" by 2017, on par with premium automakers like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

Kias styling has improved dramatically in recent years, due largely in part to the hiring of design chief Peter Schreyer, who jumped ship from Volkswagen and Audi to join the Korean brand. The Kia Optima, for example, is widely considered a design success with an interior that includes Audi-like styling touches.

In addition to styling, Kia has set a goal to improve quality and technology. Kia recently unveiled its Quoris rear-drive flagship sedan, which showcases a number of high-tech and premium features such as all-LED headlights, a head-up display, and a rear-seat package that includes a reclining backrest and heated and ventilated seats. The Quoris launched in a number of markets including Korea, but the automaker still hasnt confirmed that the sedan will come to the U.S. 

Courtesy of Automobile Magazine

Winter Maintenance Tip: Check your Battery

Is your battery juiced?

Winter puts more stress on your battery, particularly if you park your car outdoors.

Avoid the sinking feeling of hearing nothing when you hit the ignition with a proactive check of your battery and charging system now. Repair shops don't usually charge very much to load-test your battery, and some car-parts stores will do it for free.

If you find out your battery's going south, you can replace it at your convenience instead of being at the mercy of whomever your dead car's been towed to. Note that some big-box stores such as Costco offer a good price on batteries for those of you willing to change one yourself (not usually all that hard, though batteries are heavy.)

How has Kia inspired you?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Here is the winning Video of Kia's Video Contest! This video was created by people inspired by Kia!

We've got 2 for 1 oil changes!

Just head over to our Facebook page and click the "Offers" tab to print out the coupon! We'll see you soon! http://on.fb.me/VFWUSs

Winter Maintenance Tip: Check your tire pressure

Here are two good reasons to get down there with the gauge and unscrew the valve caps as the weather cools:

1) Tires lose a pound of pressure for every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) An underinflated tire won't "bite" through snow down to the pavement as well as one at pressure. It's similar to hydroplaning on water -- and just as dangerous. You may have heard the guidance to let air out of your tires for sand or snow to get more contact surface area. That only applies only if the surface is bottomlessly soft, like a beach or foot-deep, unplowed snow -- not the mix of cleared road, ice and packed snow most of us encounter in daily driving.

Don't forget to put the valve caps back on (or, buy new ones) when you're done. Letting in moisture, which then freezes, could let the valve core leak out air.

(Courtesy of kiplinger.com)