|
News Releases
Kia Forte is ‘Top Safety Pick’ by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US
2010-05-21
- Kia’s latest compact sedan in the US wins highest award from IIHS
- Forte receives top ratings for front, side, rollover and rear impact protection
- Compact sedan is third vehicle in company history to be named ‘Top Safety Pick’
 (SEOUL) April 20, 2010 -- Following in the footsteps of the 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle, Kia Forte (known as ‘Cerato’ in some markets) has been recognized by the US’ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a 2010 ‘Top Safety Pick’ award in the Small Car category. The new Forte, which replaced Kia’s popular Spectra model in the compact sedan segment, received the organization’s top honor by earning ‘Good’ ratings – the highest achievable – in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests. Kia Sedona (‘Carnival’ in some markets) minivan was chosen as a ‘Top Safety Pick’ shortly after its launch in 2006.
“The Kia brand is growing rapidly in the US thanks to new vehicles, such as the Forte, that embody our core philosophies of quality, value, style and safety,” said Michael Sprague, Vice President, Marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). "Forte offers buyers a youthful and dynamically styled vehicle with an impressive array of standard safety features; and being honored as an IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’ award winner furthers its position as a top contender in its segment and a vehicle that offers consumers the entire package.”
Ratings from the Institute are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests and for the first time a good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover also was required to win. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles must have electronic stability control available to be eligible.
In addition to competitive pricing, Forte also showcases a class-leading combination of standard safety features; all Forte models also come well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities.
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments contributing to the brand’s continued gains in global market share. With four new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology, such as UVO powered by Microsoft® infotainment system (to be available in select Kia models in the US). The launch of the all-new Sorento, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be assembled at Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup.
More News Releases
|
