2011 Kia Forte on 2040-cars

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Kia unveils K4 sedan concept in China

Among the dozens of foreign automakers eager to showcase their wares to the Chinese market, Kia arrived at the Beijing Motor Show with the new K4. Though technically categorized as a "concept," the K4 previews a sedan which Kia intends to launch in China later this year.
The K4 is a midsize sedan measuring 186 inches long and riding on a 106-inch wheelbase that makes it bigger than the Forte (sold in the Far East as the K3) and just a few inches shorter than the Optima (aka K5). The form is draped in familiar Kia-style bodywork, with a high trunk and low nose to give it a wedge shape and a familiar if somewhat new take on the headlights and grille seen on other new models from the Korean automaker.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter turbo four (smaller than the engines available in the Optima/K5) mated to a seven-speed DCT. Kia has also fitted the K4 concept with push-button ignition, UVO infotainment system, rear-view camera, six airbags and stability management. In short, everything you'd expect from the latest product of a global automaker.

What a strike in Korea could mean for US Hyundai and Kia buyers

A prolonged factory strike at Hyundai-Kia factories in South Korea could mean that US dealership inventory of certain vehicles, such as the South Korea-built Hyundai Accent and Kia Soul, could dry up in the coming months, depending on the length of the strike, reports Cars.com's blog, Kicking Tires. The two brands together rank sixth in US sales and fifth in global sales.
Kicking Tires gives fascinating insight into how a production stoppage in South Korea might affect vehicle sales in the US, considering Hyundai-Kia has two factories in the US that build the Kia Sorento and Optima/Optima Hybrid, and the Hyundai Elantra sedan/coupe/GT, Sonata/Sonata Hybrid and Santa Fe/Santa Fe Sport. The only one of these vehicles that's built solely in the US is the Kia Sorento, with the rest of them sharing production with South Korea.
Be sure to read the piece, especially if you're in the market for a Hyundai or Kia, or just interested in global economics.

Kia takes the wraps off new Sorento

We've seen the spy shots (twice) and we've seen the teaser images, but now Kia has finally revealed the finished form of its upcoming new Sorento crossover.
Taking some styling cues from the Kia Cross GT concept from the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, but with better proportions, the new Sorento packs a more pronounced grille in an altogether more aggressive (though not necessarily better-looking) front end than the model it replaces. Sheet metal is more sculpted all around, and despite the wrap-around taillights, the rear end looks familiar.
The new Sorento stretches 3.7-inches longer overall, on a 3-inch longer wheelbase, but sits half an inch lower, promising more interior space and of course updated equipment and features. The Eco Dynamics badge on the tailgate suggests the availability of green tech like stop/start ignition and such. Kia will reveal the new Sorento in Korea later this month ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.