2014 Kia Soul Receives ALG Residual Value Award

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IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America's (KMA) fun and funky urban hatchback, the all-new 2014 Soul, has received a Residual Value Award from ALG, a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. The 2014 Soul is expected to retain 57 percent of its value after three years of ownership according to ALG's November-December edition, surpassing the industry and segment average residual. Each year ALG recognizes vehicles that are predicted to best retain their value in their class, and Soul earned top honors in the subcompact utility segment with its premium feel and competitive pricing.

"Kia vehicles are well known for their value, and the Soul's mix of personality, utility and affordability has made it a huge hit," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Adding the ALG Residual Value Award to the Soul's trophy case is a testament to the vehicle's quality and appeal that stands up over time."

ALG determines Residual Value Award winners based on a variety of factors including careful analysis of the automotive industry, the vehicle's performance, quality and the overall price. With its iconic design, the all-new 2014 Soul offers markedly improved ride and handling, significantly reduced NVH, a suite of standard features and options – and now – the Soul is forecasted to retain its value better than any other vehicle in its class.¹

"The redesigned Kia Soul offers the economy of a small hatchback with increased utility and premium feel for the price," said Eric Lyman, vice president of editorial for ALG. "Kia is a brand on the rise, and the Soul combines personality and value to deliver a product poised to retain its value over time."

About the 2014 Soul
Instantly recognizable yet thoroughly fresh – with more than a passing nod to the hot Track'ster concept that was unveiled last year – the all-new 2014 Soul rides on a new chassis that is stiffer, longer and wider.  The Soul's new dimensions allow for more passenger and cargo room while NVH levels have been reduced dramatically. Increased torque and significant suspension upgrades make the 2014 Soul a nimble and agile companion in congested urban environments and inside there is a long list of standard comfort and convenience features, including Bluetooth^®2 wireless technology and steering wheel-mounted controls.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and one of the lowest costs of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently moved up in the exclusive ranking of Interbrand's "Top 100 Best Global Brands" after joining the list for the first time last year, and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company's first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry's largest segments has fueled Kia's rapid growth and is complemented by Kia's comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, Forte5, and Forte Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

About ALG
Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California with an office in Toronto, Ontario, ALG is a leading provider of insights and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG is the benchmark for residual value projections in North America, publishing residual values for all vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. ALG has been forecasting automotive residual values for nearly 50 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.  For more information, visit www.alg.com.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
¹ Based on ALG's residual value forecast for the 2014 model year.
² The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Kia is under license. Other trademarks and tradenames are those of their respective owners. A compatible Bluetooth® wireless technology enabled cell phone is required to use Bluetooth® wireless technology.

SOURCE Kia Motors America