KMA HOSTS SPORTAGE LONG-LEAD MEDIA EVENT

Kia Motors America (KMA) recently hosted key media at the 2011 Kia Sportage long-lead media ride-and-drive event in Seattle, from June 22-24. Top-tier journalists had the opportunity to drive the all-new 2011 Sportage for the first time in an intimate setting while also experiencing the all-new UVO powered by Microsoft®1 infotainment system expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. later this year. During the event, media were able to participate in a discussion with Microsoft representatives about the Kia Motors-Microsoft relationship and tour the Microsoft "Home of the Future."

*Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

KMA TEAMS WITH ZYNGA®'S PETVILLE GAME FOR FACEBOOK

Kia Motors recently expanded its social media presence by teaming with marketing agency SocialVibeand the popular Facebook®-hosted game PetVille, created by Zynga, to offer an interactive application for players. At the bottom of the PetVille game players will find an icon taken from the popular Soul "This or That" ad spot that invites users to create their own "This or That" mash-up video. Upon entering the application, the Soul ad will start rolling and the user will be prompted to cut and mix their own ad spot by dragging six five-second clips into a six-spot timeline. Once complete, they can play back their ad, which will feature the same theme music as the original spot. Members will then have the opportunity to post their work of art on their Facebook profile to share with friends. In addition to creating their own Soul music video, participants also will receive PetVille cash in return for interaction, which is typically only available through game play or by purchase.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-BASED RIO HONDO REGIONAL TRUCK ACADEMY RECEIVES 26 DONATED KIA VEHICLES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING

KMA recently donated 26 Borrego SUVs to the Rio Hondo Regional Truck Academy, an intensive training facility offering courses designed for the professional firefighter to educate emergency responders nationwide about life-saving techniques. The donation is both the academy's and Kia Motors' largest vehicle donation to date. Many of the vehicles were used in a two-day, eight-hour training course that teaches firefighters about advances in vehicle technology, including airbag functions. During the training, participants also practiced new and evolving extraction techniques while the vehicles were placed in numerous positions common in real-world accidents and scenarios. The training also helps maintain firefighter safety during rescue operations. For more details click here.

MOTORSPORTS UPDATE FROM MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE

In the seventh race of the season, the EMCO Gears Classic at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the No. 12 Infinity Audio/HD Radio Forte Koup piloted by Trevor Hopwood and Adam Burrows finished the 2.26-mile, 13-turn road course in 18th place. This marked the seventh consecutive finish for the No. 12 car in the Street Tuner (ST) class of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series. Meanwhile, the No. 10 Infinity Audio/HD Radio Forte Koup piloted by Nic Jo?nsson and Andy Lally placed 23rd. The Koups' performances were able to help Kia Motors maintain fifth place in the overall manufacturer point standings. The SPEED-TV broadcast of the race last weekend prominently featured Kia Motors' motorsports teams.

For live race recap reports and photos check the Kia Racing Facebook page and spread the word.

INFINITY AUDIO/HD RADIO FORTE KOUPS PREPARE FOR NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS PARK

KMA and Kinetic Motorsports have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming July 17 race at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville. The Infinity Audio/HD Radio Forte Koups will race on a 2.25-mile, 14-turn road course. You can follow the race live by going onto the GRAND-AM Web site at grand-am.com for lap charts or better yet, check out the Kia Racing Facebook page.

KIA MOTORS SPONSORS VANS WARPED TOUR FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Kia Motors will head out to more than 40 U.S. cities as "Official Vehicle of the 2010 Vans Warped Tour®."

For the third consecutive summer KMA will host on-site events and activities inside the interactive Soul Lounge at each tour stop. The interactive tent will feature a live DJ, airbrush tattoo artists, an Express Your Soul "Confessional" and exclusive daily autograph sessions with two of the biggest names on tour, Hey Monday and Christofer Drew of NeverShoutNever. The Soul Lounge also will feature acoustic performances by Hey Monday and Christofer Drew of NeverShoutNever in select markets. Concertgoers can check out and obtaininformation on Kia vehicles including the personalizable Soul, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sportage compact CUV, launching in the U.S. market this summer.

Festival participants also may earn Kia VIP wristbands for exclusive access to a dedicated VIP riser nearthe main stage, which provides shade and unobstructed views. To receive a VIP wristband, fans are given an opportunity to show their enthusiasm for the Kia Motors brand by participating in a variety of Kia-relatedgames inside the Soul Lounge.

SEDONA NAMED TO EDMUNDS.COM'S "TOP 10 BEST DARK-HORSE CARS OF 2010" LIST

Edmunds.com's "Top 10 Best Dark-Horse Cars of 2010" list was compiled from a list of vehicles that tend to fly under the radar to present consumers with a number of choices that offer as much, if not more, value and quality as mainstream choices when shopping for a new vehicle. The Sedona was recognized for offering consumers a comfortable ride, impressive crash safety test scores, a leading warranty as well as its overall value.