Kia, officially known as Kia Corporation, was founded in 1944 and is South Korea's first automobile manufacturer. It started with two-wheel vehicles and has grown to become one of the world's top 10 automakers. Initially established in 1944 as "Kyungsung Precision Industry," the company changed its name to "Kia Industry" in 1952. The name "Kia" signifies "rising from Asia" or "Asia's rise." In 2000, Kia merged with Hyundai Motor Company, forming the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.
In 2021, the company changed its name from "Kia Motors Corporation" to "Kia Corporation," aiming to transcend the traditional car manufacturer role and transform into a mobility service provider. In 2021, Kia's global sales reached 2.777 million units, a 6.5% increase from the previous year. As of May 2021, Kia's cumulative global market sales exceeded 50 million units.
