Kia Motors Readying Five Show-Stopping Justice League-Inspired Rides For 2012 SEMA Show

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) and partner DC Entertainment will arrive in fabulous Las Vegas for next week's 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show with five heroic Justice League-inspired custom rides, supporting DC Entertainment's "We Can Be Heroes" giving campaign to fight against the ongoing hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.  The five vehicles, which include the Batman-inspired Optima unveiled recently in New York City, are a direct result of the vision and artwork of legendary comic-book artist, DC Entertainment co-publisher and self-proclaimed car guy Jim Lee and Kia's collaborations with West Coast Customs (WCC), RIDES magazine and Super Street magazine.  In addition to the custom cars, visitors to Kia's SEMA display will release their inner super hero as they take in the Justice League comic book artwork and life-size characters throughout the booth.  Kia's press conference will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 9:00 a.m. at the Kia booth located in North Hall (#10809). 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121025/LA00006)

"The SEMA Show is the epicenter for vehicle customization, and there's no better occasion to showcase the results of our banding together with DC Entertainment and some of the best custom car builders in the industry while bringing attention to the 'We Can Be Heroes' giving campaign," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  "Each Kia vehicle exudes a specific attribute to match its super hero counterpart, and just like the Justice League, we're fighting for a great cause."

"DC Entertainment is pleased to join forces with Kia to bring the Justice League to life in an entirely new way at SEMA, while also raising awareness and funds for the 'We Can Be Heroes' giving campaign," stated Amit Desai, SVP of franchise management, DC Entertainment. "We're excited for fans to see the unique, custom designed cars inspired by iconic Justice League Super Heroes like Green Lantern, Aquaman, Cyborg  and The Flash – each demonstrating unique abilities and strengths, while presented together as a powerful team fighting the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa."

KMA and world-famous West Coast Customs collaborated for the second year in a row to create two of the Justice League-inspired vehicles:  The Flash-inspired Forte Koup and the Aquaman-inspired Rio 5-door.  In addition to the Batman-inspired Optima, RIDES magazine also built the Cyborg-inspired Forte 5-door, and Super Street magazine was responsible for creating the Green Lantern-inspired Soul.  Stay tuned for more details once the silks are pulled on these incredible machines on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m., PT.

The partnership between KMA and DC Entertainment was conceived to benefit "We Can Be Heroes" (www.WeCanBeHeroes.org), a giving campaign, dedicated to helping fight hunger in the Horn of Africa and inspired by the heroism of the iconic Justice League characters.  "We Can Be Heroes" encourages everyday people to join the fight by getting involved and donating to bring help and hope to the people most affected by the hunger crisis.  Each vehicle will feature a customized piece of Jim Lee's specially-designed artwork to be auctioned at the conclusion of the program with all net proceeds going to the "We Can Be Heroes" program.  The Kia-DC Entertainment partnership includes seven vehicles inspired by the individual super hero characters, and will culminate with a fully-drivable, eighth custom car integrating all seven members of the Justice League that will be auctioned off to raise money for the cause. Kia will help to raise awareness for the "We Can Be Heroes" giving campaign throughout the partnership through customized "We Can Be Heroes" license plates, signage, collateral materials and in-vehicle video displays. 

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes —a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

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 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies[1] in the U.S. 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.

[1] Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending September 2007 and September 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

SOURCE Kia Motors America