Kia celebrates 80th anniversary, unveils future concept car

Kia has pledged to overcome a lingering external crisis — posed by global supply chain shifts and an emerging Chinese rivalry — by getting back to basics and creating value for future mobility, the carmaker said Friday at an event marking its 80th anniversary. "Kia’s 80-year history has been a remarkable journey," Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun said during the ceremony. "Kia founder Kim Chul-ho dreamed of building airplanes even when he was making bicycles, and pursued a vision far ahead of his time. From motorcycles to Korea's first integrated automobile plant and domestic production of engines, the company laid the foundation for mobility in Korea." Kia was established in 1944 as a bicycle part company and expanded into motorcycles, tricycles and automobiles. The company went bankrupt in 1997 in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, but was acquired by Hyundai Motor Group the following year. "Kia's journey has never been easy, but the company has overcome every challenge with its unique resilience,” Chung said. “The spirit of Kia continues to evolve tWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times