Kia Motors America Extends Partnership With DonorsChoose.org To Benefit Public School Students Nationwide In 2013

NEW YORK, July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After providing educational resources to nearly 500,000 public school students across America last year, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announces a significant extension of its philanthropic partnership with DonorsChoose.org, the online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.  As part of the continuing relationship, Kia is launching a major funding campaign in 2013 that will raise the company's total impact to $5 million in just two years.  To date, Kia has matched the support of 21,000 citizen philanthropists to collectively deliver more than $2.1 million in resources to classrooms nationwide. 

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"Kia Motors America (KMA) has grown to become the eighth largest brand in the U.S. by volume, and as we grow, our culture and core values compel us to give back to the communities that we call home and contribute to a better future for all," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.  "The overwhelming response to last year's collaboration with DonorsChoose.org was truly inspiring, and we are determined to help even more children – and teachers – in need in 2013."

"Kia's support has helped bring books, chess sets, butterfly gardens, guitars, basketballs, microscopes, and many more resources to America's high-need classrooms," said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org.  "DonorsChoose.org is grateful for Kia's renewed commitment to helping thousands of students access the materials they need and the quality education they deserve."

The announcement coincides with the unveiling of a new racing livery for the No. 36 Kia Racing Optima featuring DonorsChoose.org at a VIP "Stars and Cars" promotional event in New York City.  Kia will match consumer donations to classroom projects at public schools near Kia's network of more than 765 retail showrooms across the country as well as the company's U.S. headquarters in Irvine, Calif., and assembly plant in West Point, Ga.  Earlier this year, Kia highlighted the valuable work of DonorsChoose.org in a marketing integration with NBC's hit show "The Voice" and made a substantial contribution to the charity's efforts to rebuild 60 Oklahoma classrooms destroyed by tornadoes.

Kia:  One of the World's Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands

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 the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand's "Top 100 Best Global Brands," 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 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built[1] 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, 5-door and 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 and LPGA.  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 DonorsChoose.org

Founded in 2000 and based in New York City, nearly 150,000 public school teachers have used DonorsChoose.org (www.donorschoose.org) to secure funding for $181 million in books, art supplies, technology, and other resources that their students need to learn.  Through DonorsChoose.org, individuals from all walks of life have helped 8.9 million students.

[1] 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.

SOURCE Kia Motors America