2013 Kia Sorento - Rear Backup Camera (Video)

Blogger mom Daphne Brogdon calms her kids down by driving laps around the neighborhood in her 2013 Kia Sorento.

Enter To Win A $500 Visa Gift Card!

Hey fans! Don't forget that there are only a few days left for our contest this month. Click here to submit your entry to win a $500 Visa Gift Card from us. Good luck everyone!

Congratulations Juan and Jim for Your Glowing Review

We just received a 5 out of 5 customer rating on DealerRater!!!

"I have needed to buy a new car for a year or two and dreaded the whole process. I had narrowed my decision down to 2 makes (KIA or Toyota) but kept hearing from every KIA new car owner how much they loved their cars. A friend, Lenee Weldon, mentioned what a great experience they had at the Granbury KIA dealership and she had the sales guy i needed to meet. So, i followed her over last week and decided she was right and Juan was the guy i was buying a new car from. So, after a test drive of the new KIA Sorento, i was sold and by Friday, had a new car. Jim Dollins assisted in the financing and i am a very satisfied and happy with the whole experience. I have, am and will continue to sing the praises of these guys!"

To check out more of our listings, click here: http://bit.ly/Vri6oD  

 

2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1995 Free Throws

 

Rock this NBA season with a new 2013 Kia Optima!

2013 Kia Optima Review

Kia Optima will be one of those rare cars that looks as good in the driveway 10 years on as it does now. Truth be told, all deliver reasonable fuel economy, with base LX models returning 24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and the turbo models rated at 22 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. We like the fact that most Optima models can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, since manuals boost the fun factor of any car.

Ride quality can be on the firm side; together with the car’s independent suspension and nicely-tuned electric steering, the Optima comes across as more sporting than its sibling the Hyundai Sonata. In fact, the Optima is more engaging than most sedans in its price range, giving buyers one more reason to add the brand to their candidate list.

The Optima comes with a surprising amount of feature content, in all trim levels. Even the high-volume EX models get features like dual-zone climate control and keyless entry, with available options like a panoramic sunroof and an Infinity audio system.

Interior design is best described as “modern minimalist,” but we mean that in a positive way. There’s no clutter in the cabin, and the controls sweep toward the driver to give a cockpit-like feel. Base models come with seats wrapped in sturdy fabric, while more upscale Optimas get leather seating surfaces.

Front seats provide generous head and leg room, with rear seats delivering a reasonable amount of leg room. We like the fact that the Optima offers heated seats to both front and rear passengers, an option sometimes missing in cars costing two or three time the Kia’s price.

The 2013 Kia Optima is a safe car, too, with 2012 models earning top safety scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS. Though 2013 models haven’t been tested, there are no significant design differences between the two years, so the latest models should perform identically.

-Courtesy of Green Car Reports

13 Weird Tricks to Clean Your Car

We found simple, cheap, unexpected tips on how to wash your car to keep it cleaner for longer.

Hair conditioner for shine.

Wash your car with a hair conditioner containing lanolin. You'll become a believer when you see the freshly waxed look, and when you find that the surface will repel rain.

Fizz windshields clean with cola.

When it rains after a long dry spell, a dirty windshield turns into one big mess. Get rid of streaks and blotches by pouring cola over the glass. (Stretch a towel along the bottom of the windshield to protect hood paint.) The bubbles in the cola will fizz away the grime. Just be sure to wash the sticky cola off thoroughly or your cleaning efforts will end up attracting dust and dirt.

Vodka on the job.

When your windshield-washer reservoir needs filling, raid the liquor cabinet to make your own washing fluid. In a screw-top gallon jug, mix 3 cups vodka (the cheapest you can find) with 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons liquid dishwashing detergent. Screw on the cap and shake well, then pour as much fluid as needed into the reservoir.

Shine those car lights.

Keep your headlights polished (and yourself, safe) by applying window cleaner and rubbing vigorously with an old pair of panty hose.

A one-step window cleaner.

Clean your windshield and car windows by rubbing them with baby wipes stored in your glove compartment. What could be easier?

No windshield washing fluid?

If the reservoir is empty (and doesn't it always seem to be?), use an unlikely substitute to clean your windshield: feminine hygiene maxi-pads, a box of which you could stash in the trunk. Hold a pad on the sticky side and rub the windshield vigorously. The glass will really shine once you've wiped it to the max.

Clean your blades

If your windshield wiper blades get dirty, they'll streak the glass instead of keeping it clean and clear. Make a solution of 1/4 cup household ammonia to 1 quart cold water. Gently lift the blades, and wipe both sides with a soft cloth or paper towel soaked in the solution. Then wipe the blades with a dry cloth before lowering them into place.

You can see clearly now.

Add 1/4 cup household ammonia to 1 quart water, pour it into a plastic bottle with a water-tight cap, and keep it in your car for washing the windshield and windows. As soon as your windshield begins to get dirty, take out the solution and apply it with a sponge; then dry the windshield with a soft cloth or paper towels.

Baking-soda car cleaner.

Pour 1/4 cup baking soda into a gallon-sized jug, then add 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid and enough water to fill the jug almost to the top. Screw on the cap, shake well, and store the concentrate for later use. When it comes time to wash the car, shake the jug vigorously and then pour 1 cup of cleaner base into a 2-gallon water pail. Fill the pail with warm water, stir to mix, and your homemade cleaning.

Banish back-road dirt.

In many rural areas, so-called oil roads (some unpaved, others semi-paved) are sprayed with oil to control blowing sand and dust. If you find yourself driving along one of these back roads, your windshield may end up coated with oily grime. To cut through the muck, sprinkle cream of tartar over the windshield, and then wipe the glass down with soapy water, rinse well, and dry.

A surprising no-wax washer.

Add 1 cup kerosene to a 3-gallon pail filled with water and then sponge the solution over your car. You won't have to spray the car before washing or rinse or wax it once you're done. And the next time it rains, rainwater will bead up and roll off the car, lessening the likelihood of rusting.

Watch the heat.

Washing your car when it's too hot—right after you've been driving it, for example, or when it's been parked in direct sunlight—can result in soapy splotches and deposits, says Consumer Reports.

Avoid air drying.

Also according to Consumer Reports, air drying your car—or driving it around while it's wet—after washing can leave unsightly watermarks on its exterior. Use a chamois or a soft terry cloth, plus a squeegee to soak excess water up—just make sure it doesn't pick up dirt that can scratch the vehicle.

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

2013 Kia Rio: 5 Reasons to Buy - AutoTrader (Video)

The 2013 Kia Rio is sleek, sporty and better built than ever. Here are five reasons to consider buying the Kia Rio hatchback.

Order Parts From Van Griffith Kia

Ordering parts has never been easier. Just click on the link, fill in the information you need and presto! Why wait?http://bit.ly/TPCcJM

Kia 2014 Sorento and 2014 Forte at 2012 LA Auto Show

At the LA Auto Show 2012, Kia executives Michael Sprague and Tom Loveless revealed the new and redesigned 2014 Kia Sorento and 2014 Kia Forte models along with the next iteration of UVO as examples of Kia's new level of sophistication. Click here to check it out!

New 2012-2013 Kia Vehicles At Van Griffith Kia

Happy Monday fans! Get a great start to your week by checking out our selection of new 2012-2013 Kia vehicles. Click here to take a look at our inventory or stop by for a test drive. We look forward to seeing you!

 

2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show

It was another exciting appearance for Kia at the Los Angeles Auto Show where the upgraded Kia Sorento and all-new Kia Forte (Cerato) premiered. Today on Kia-Buzz, we’re jumping onto the show floor to take a look at Kia’s presence at this year’s event.

The Aquaman-inspired Rio 5-door made an appearance after its premiere at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. An ocean lover like Aquaman would be happy to know that the Rio has a reputation of being one the most eco-friendly vehicles in Kia’s lineup, especially since 85% of its material can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. The Rio 5-door received the world famous West Coast Customs treatment with special gold, green and orange exterior paint and custom metal fins attached to the body, along with oracle LED wheel rings and body lighting across the exterior and 20-inch color matched Asanti wheels wrapped in Continental rubber.

This fierce looking Batman-inspired Optima SX Limited was also on display at the auto show, with a matte and piano-black paint scheme exterior and dramatically lowered coilover suspension and muscular ground effects kit. It also features huge Ksport performance brakes for extreme stopping power, custom designed 20-inch black wheels with Batman logo center caps and a performance exhaust system. With a custom front grille shaped like a batwing that took over 40 hours to create, yellow LED lighting accents throughout the vehicle and the iconic bat signal etched into the SXL’s HID headlights, this ride truly captures the Dark Knight’s essence.

One of the main stars of the show was the upgraded Sorento CUV with an all-new platform, sophisticated new styling cues and significant improvements made to its ride handling and comfort. It boasts an all-new chassis, a new gasoline direct injected (GDI) V6 engine that delivers 290 horsepower, substantially redesigned interior and a next generation UVO infotainment system.The redesigned Sorento also adds a top of the line trim level– the SX Limited – which delivers an impressive roster of premium features and amenities. Although it’s dubbed ‘upgraded’ instead of ‘all-new’, a whopping 80% of its parts are either all-new or significantly redesigned, and it’s the first Kia vehicle to offer Kia’s next-generation UVO eServices voice-activated telematics system.

And now for Kia’s showstopper… The silk covers were pulled off and the all-new Kia Forte (Cerato) was revealed. It sits on an all-new chassis and is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation Forte, with more room, more performance and more premium amenities. It will be offered in LX and EX variants with a choice of an efficient 1.8-liter engine or a more powerful 2.0 liter engine. It also offers luxurious features like a ventilated driver’s seat and UVO eServices, setting a new standard for the compact segment.

The third-generation Forte (Cerato) boasts sleeker styling with ‘dynamic muscularity’ in a design that is longer, lower and wider than the current car, with an extended wheelbase. It also features an all-new bodyshell, upgraded equipment, a host of additional convenience and safety features, a more spacious cabin with enhanced quality, improved refinement and an upgraded powertrain line-up that delivers class-leading performance and fuel economy.

 

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

2 for 1 Special At Van Griffith Kia

Hey fans! Be sure to check out our 2 for 1 special offer. If you bring in two vehicles for an oil change on the same day this month at Van Griffith Kia, you will get one for free! Stop by today to take advantage of this great deal. We look forward to seeing you!

 

Kia Motors America Announces Best-Ever November Sales And 27th Consecutive Monthly Sales Record

Kia Motors America (KMA) has been one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. over the last five years[1], and November saw the brand achieve its 27th straight month of record sales with 41,055 units sold, a 10.9-percent increase over the same period in 2011. Year-to-date sales are up 17.3 percent over 2011, and the brand achieved another important milestone in November with the sale of its 500,000th vehicle in 2012 -- a first for Kia in the U.S. The U.S.-built* Optima midsize sedan has been Kia's best-selling vehicle each month in 2012, and that trend continued in November with 12,715 units sold, and together with the popular Sorento CUV -- also built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia -- represents more than 40 percent of Kia's record November volume.

"Kia has sustained record-setting momentum for more than two years, and eclipsing the 500,000 vehicle sales mark for the first time is an historic achievement for KMA and our dealers," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. "The popular Optima is on track to set an all-time single year record for a Kia nameplate, and the upcoming launches of the all-new 2014 Forte sedan and refreshed 2014 Sorento unveiled last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show will take the value equation we are known for and advance it to new levels of sophistication with exciting technologies such as the next generation UVO eServices hands-free infotainment system."

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality [2] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking [3] . Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia -- KMMG -- is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. -- the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

Courtesy of The Auto Channel

5 money-saving DIY tips for car owners

As cars have become more advanced over time, it has been increasingly difficult for enterprising owners to perform basic maintenance and repairs. While some jobs do require professional expertise and pricey tools, there are still many things that a handy owner can do to keep a car running in top shape and save money in the process.

Below are a few tips from our automotive experts.

1) Treating hazy headlight lenses. Modern headlight assemblies usually have clear plastic covers that can grow hazy over the years from exposure to the elements. To save the expense of changing the whole headlight reflector assembly, you can use a restoration kit, usually consisting of abrasive cloths and a special finishing liquid. Some kits are applied with elbow grease, while others call for an electric drill.

2) Windshield wipers. You can extend the life of wiper blades by keeping them clean. Wipe off the rubber edge with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner, or water and a little dish soap. Wiper blades don't last long. In our tests we've found that six months is about the best you can expect a set of wiper blades to stay in top form.

3) Wash and wax your car. Giving your car a good cleaning helps preserve the paint by removing road grime and residues that can eat through the finish. The time spent hand washing a car gives you a close-up view of every body panel, so you can spot scratches, chips, and dings you may not have otherwise noticed. To maintain a quality shine, periodically apply car wax. A spray wax is best suited to weekly or special-occasion applications. Other waxes can be used less frequently, every 2-3 months.

4) Light bulbs. Changing a light bulb isn't difficult—most these days have a twist-and-pull bayonet base or they simply pull out and push in. Bulb specifications are usually found in the owner's manual. However, accessing a bulb (usually called a lamp in industry parlance) can be a real chore. Consult a service manual or look online if access to the bulb isn't obvious. Auto-parts stores and your franchised dealer carry good selections of replacement bulbs. If you're replacing a halogen headlight bulb take care not to touch the glass with your bare fingers. Skin oils on the quartz glass are said to shorten its life.

5) Touch-up paint. Touching up paint flaws early can save a heap of money down the road. You can touch up small scratches and chips with touch-up paint, available for a few dollars at your car dealership and at some auto-parts stores. Make sure you get an exact color match. Touch-up paint usually comes in a small bottle with an applicator brush in the lid. Otherwise, use a small, pointed artist's brush and cover the scratch by going over it in tiny dabs. Let this paint dry for at least a day or two before polishing the car.

Courtesy of Yahoo Autos

2012 Calendar Year End Holiday Sales Event (Video)

Make an end-of-year resolution with Kia's Holiday Sales Event. 2012 may be coming to an end, but the best time to buy a Kia is right now!

 

Coupons

Hey fans! Be sure to stop by and see us this week to take advantage of our special offers. You can get 10% off any repair over $200 or $50.00 off a timing belt replacement! Hurry, these specials end on 11/30.

Kia Donates $500,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Recovery

Hurricane Sandy pounded the Eastern Seaboard of the United States at the end of October, leaving millions of residents without power, or worse, without homes. South Korean automaker Kia is doing its part to support those affected by the storm, donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross, which is providing food, supplies and shelter for victims.

"Luckily, much of Massachusetts escaped with relatively minor damage from Sandy, but those in states like New York and New Jersey didn't fare as well," said Dave Campbell, general manager of Quirk Kia, a Kia dealer in Massachusetts. "During times like this, it's important to come together and support those in need, and Kia is answering the call by helping lift up communities as they recover."

The American Red Cross isn't the only charitable group that has recently received support from Kia. The automaker has teamed up with DC Entertainment to raise awareness for the comic book brand's We Can Be Heroes campaign, which fights hunger in the Horn of Africa by benefiting the nonprofits Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps. With the help of West Coast Customs, RIDES magazine and Super Street magazine, Kia created five bespoke rides based on five members of the Justice League that were displayed at this year's SEMA Show, which ran Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.

Representing Batman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and Cyborg, the five Kias even stood out amongst the tricked-out rides at SEMA, thanks to their wild paint and body modifications. Each vehicle was adorned with superhero-worthy features, from the utility throwing stars in the center console of the Batman-themed 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited to the spokes on the Green Lantern-inspired Kia Soul that were shaped like the character's logo.

Other Justice League vehicles on display at SEMA included a Kia Forte Koup painted with flames to pay tribute to The Flash, a scaly-looking Kia Rio5 honoring Aquaman, and a Kia Forte 5-door with bulging bodywork that conjured the strength of Cyborg. In the coming months, Kia will create models dedicated to Superman and Wonder Woman to complete the set.

While Kia's modified rides received plenty of attention at SEMA, their stock counterparts have been making waves in the showroom. The auto brand set a new October sales record last month, boosted by the popularity of the Kia Optima sedan and Kia Sorento crossover. More than 42,000 Kia models were sold in October in the United States, a 13-percent increase compared to the same month last year. Kia's year-to-date sales are now up 18 percent year-over-year through October.

"From the show floor to the sales floor, more and more people are seeing the appeal of a Kia," added Campbell. "Even with all of its success, Kia is always looking for ways to make the world a better place, so it's an auto brand you can feel good about as well."

Courtesy of Read Media

2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1995 Free Throws (Video)

Watch Blake Griffin travel back in time with the Kia Optima SX to teach himself valuable life lessons.

2012 Dallas Fort Worth Auto Show

Hey fans! The 2012 DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth is coming up on December 6th-9th. Be sure to like the event on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ftworthautoshow and follow it on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/ftworthautoshow. There will be great online contests, even better trivia, and all the latest and greatest real-time details and updates about the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth.

 

SEMA Kia/DC Entertainment Justice League Custom Vehicle Unveiling (Video)

Kia Motors America and DC Entertainment kicked off the 2012 SEMA Show in superhero style with five radical machines inspired by the members of the Justice League. You can check them out in this video!

2012 Kia NBA Tip Off - Working hard to be the best (Video)

This season, we won't be satisfied with being good. This season, we'll be dedicated to working hard. Towards one goal: to be the best. This is the start of something big. The 2012 Kia NBA Tip Off.

Our next contest is here!

ATTENTION FANS: Our next contest is here! Make sure to enter for a chance to win a $500 Visa Gift Card. Click the link below to submit your entry. Good luck everyone!

Happy Birthday Mr. Griffith from all the gang at Van Griffith KIA! You're the best boss ever!

Happy Birthday to J'Renee Simons from the gang at Van Griffith KIA!!!

Congratulations Leslie and Mallory on winning the $500 Visa Give away. Be sure to tell all your friends to like us on Facebook for a chance to win our next "Like Us" Contest starting now!” for Van Griffith.

Special Offers At Van Griffith Kia

Hey fans! Be sure to stop by and see us this month to take advantage of our special offers. You can get  10% off any repair over $200 or $50.00 off a timing belt replacement! We look forward to seeing you.

Sorento SEC "Auburn" (Video)

Proudly built in West Point, Georgia. The 2013 Kia Sorento is the official vehicle of the SEC. Because what makes the SEC great, also makes the Kia Sorento great. Click here to check it out!

Kia Fuel Economy - MPG Information

Recently KIA discovered that due to human error the estimated fuel mileage calculations were figured incorrectly on some of their 2012 and 2013 models. Kia has always prided themselves on excellent customer service and satisfaction. They have decided to be proactive in this matter and reimburse its customers of these models for the difference in expected and actual fuel mileage.

Van Griffith Kia wants to make sure all of our customers have the information they need in order to get their reimbursement. The website to log onto to make your claim is www.kiaMPGinfo.com We here at Van Griffith KIA are very proud to represent a company with such great integrity as this.

DC and Kia Motors Unveil Their Hero Inspired Vehicles

Kia Motors America (KMA) and DC Entertainment kicked off the 2012 SEMA Show today in superhero style with five radical machines inspired by the members of the Justice League: The Flash Forte Koup, Aquaman Rio 5-door, Cyborg Forte 5-door, Green Lantern Soul and the previously unveiled Batman Optima.  Built by West Coast Customs, RIDES and Super Street, each of the vehicles feature custom artwork by legendary comic book artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee and are intended to raise awareness for DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” giving campaign to help fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.  Each Justice League character was assigned to a specific Kia vehicle based on personality and key attributes to create these five iconic works of art on wheels. 

The cars will be available for auction later this year with all the proceeds going toward the 'We Can Be Heroes' campaign.

Also later this year we will get to see the Wonder Woman and Superman inspired Kias, along with a final car featuring all seven members of the Justice League. For now you can check out the released photos below.

Courtesy of Super Hero Hype

Happy Halloween from Van Griffith KIA!

2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1997 Football (Video)

Watch Blake Griffin travel back in time using the Kia Optima to teach himself valuable life lessons.

Special offers at Van Griffith Kia

Happy Monday! Be sure to stop by and see us this month to take advantage of our special offers. You can get 10% off any repair over $200 or $50.00 off a timing belt replacement! Hurry, these specials end on 10/31.

Click here to get your coupon.

2013 Kia Soul Claims 2012 Active Lifestyle Award

With more than 90,000 sales through the first nine months of 2012—up 18.7 percent over the same period last year—it’s obvious that the 2013 Kia Soul is attracting more than just hamster fans. The latest evidence for the Soul’s broad-based appeal? A team of some 70 hardcore athletes just helped pick the ninth annual Active Lifestyle vehicle awards, and they named the 2013 Kia Soul the winner in the Urban vehicle category.

The unique recognition program is billed as “the only car-of-the-year program in the United States which combines the input of automotive journalists with elite and area athletes to determine which cars and trucks best meet the needs of buyers with active lifestyles.”

The 2013 Kia Soul helps city-dwellers stay active by combining urban-friendly exterior dimensions with a highly versatile interior that can be stuffed with up to 53.4 cubic feet of gear; to put that into context, cargo capacity in the similarly sized Ford Fiesta maxes out at 26 cubic feet. Soul owners aren’t sacrificing when it comes to passenger volume, either: The capacious Kia offers 102.3 cubic feet worth, while the Fiesta only provides 85.1.

The Soul also can get plenty active itself, thanks to two peppy powerplant choices. The standard powertrain mates a 1.6-liter I4 engine to a six-speed manual transmission, allowing drivers to enjoy an impressive-for-its-segment 138 hp and 123 lb.-ft. of torque. And note, that’s in addition to its impressive-for-any-segment fuel-economy marks of 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway. Plus, customers also can upgrade to a 2.0-liter I4 that makes 164 hp and 148 lb.-ft. of twist, yet still garners EPA grades of 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway—with either a six-speed automatic or the DIY transmission.

Priced from a mere $14,400, the 2013 Kia Soul is on sale now.

Courtesy of Autobytel

 

Get a years supply of Coca-Cola!

Don't forget that with every purchase of a new KIA, you will get a years supply of Coca-Cola! If you are undecided and want to test drive a new KIA or if you get an oil change you will get a 12 pack of Coke. We look forward to seeing you!

Kia Grabs Brass Ring At Madison Square Garden

Kia Motors America is extending and expanding its deal with Madison Square Garden, wherein Kia becomes a signature partner and official vehicle of the venue. The new partnership should give Kia some of what it has needed for years: awareness, affinity and positive brand perception.

The deal gives Kia a big placement at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, tie-ins with the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers and the New York Liberty, and presence around college basketball and tennis, as well as the Concert Series at The Garden. The partnership also includes an expanded presence for Kia on MSG regional sports networks, MSG and MSG+, and integration on the Garden, Knicks, Rangers and Liberty websites. Also, Kia vehicles will be on show year-round with a custom-built display space in the lobby entrance to the Arena.

Kia's Official Vehicle designation will include branding at the Arena for all associated sports events and the Concert Series. Kia gets digital and static signage throughout the Arena; features on GardenVision, the center-hung scoreboard; and on-court and on-ice branding and promotional contests. Kia will be there for the Concert Series that includes Madonna, Justin Bieber, One Direction, The Who and Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Kia will have a presence at all Friday night Knicks and Rangers games as the presenting partner.

Tim Chaney, executive director of marketing communications at Kia, points out that the automaker is not new to the Garden as it has had a seven-year relationship with the Knicks plus sponsorship of the the Rangers NHL team, activated with the New York Kia dealer group. "But this is the whole building all year long for multiple years." Beyond this, Kia is official vehicle of the NBA, and also has separate, individual sponsorship deals with 14 NBA teams. "But this really is the first of this scale for us; being a signature partner gives us exclusivity to select categories," says. He tells Marketing Daily that New York, media central, is the place to have this kind of deal. "And if you are going to have a presence in New York, this is the property to do. He adds that the Garden's multi-year, billion-dollar investment in facility renovation also works as a complement to Kia's own packed vehicle-launch schedule. "We looked at it simply: transformed Kia at the transformed Garden."

There's also a CRM element with Kia customers getting access and experiences with MSG's sports brands and events. The automaker says it will collaborate with the Knicks and Rangers on a number of promotions and events also for Kia customers. Some of the offers include tickets and special experiences at games. As the official vehicle of the Concert Series at The Garden, Kia will also work with MSG on promotions for select concerts.

Dave Kissel, president and CEO of Chicago-based sports-event media network InStadium, says the virtue of a major sponsorship deal like Kia's is that, among other things, it locks out the competition against an audience a marketer determines to be spot-on for its brand. "But even for the most well-funded brands you can't lock up every thing. So even the big guys have to be careful about how and where and when they spend money on sponsorships. But, clearly, sponsorship does work as part of the overall media mix. It's a $23 billion market; clearly, it works."

Indeed, Kia is not the lone auto brand with category-exclusivity in the Big Apple: across the East River, Honda in August became the 10th brand to hitch its star to the new Barclay's Center as a top-tier sponsor, becoming official vehicle of both the Brooklyn Nets and the arena itself. Among other things, Honda will sponsor the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival in December.

 

Courtesy of Marketing Daily

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition

Clean the inside, too

Vacuum and sponge your interior every time you wash your car. Dirt particles are abrasive, and spilled liquids, such as soda, can be corrosive.Vacuum your interior thoroughly with a powerful vacuum (small cordless models are generally too weak). Use the appropriate wand heads when vacuuming. The bare metal wand can mar and scratch surfaces. Sponge vinyl surfaces clean with a solution of mild detergent and water.

The Ride (Video)

Check out the Grand Prize Winner from the Kia Motors "In My Mind" music video challenge.

2013 Kia Sorento "Call It" Commercial

With its beautiful, jaw-dropping design and long list of available features, the 2013 Kia Sorento is anything but expected. Follow the Sorento, and all its beauty, as it navigates an urban jungle at night, to the tune of some equally stunning music.

 

Here's A Tip To Extend the Life of Your Car

Go easy when you’re stuck.

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.

Batman Comic Books Inspire Tricked Out Kia Optima, Making World Debut at NY Time Warner Center

Kia Motors America (KMA) has teamed up with DC Entertainment and RIDES magazine to create a brooding, Batman-inspired Optima that goes on display this week at the Time Warner Center and signals the beginning of a 10-month partnership based on the iconic characters that make up the Justice League. Influenced by the artistry of comic book icon, Jim Lee, the Kia super hero vehicles will become a force for good in the world by raising awareness of DC Entertainment's "We Can Be Heroes" giving campaign, a relief effort to fight hunger in the Horn of Africa (www.WeCanBeHeroes.org). Fitting for the caped crusader's dark and mysterious personality, Kia's range-topping Optima SX Limited wraps cutting-edge technology and premium amenities in a sleek, aggressive design customized with several unique Batman elements.

"Batman is one of the most popular Super Heroes of all-time, and showcasing in a fun and creative way Kia's top-of-the-line Optima SX Limited as a Batman-themed custom ride underscores this car's potent combination of premium features and turbocharged performance," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing and communications, KMA. "The Optima is our best-selling vehicle and has played a significant role in Kia becoming one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the U.S. over the last five years[1], and it is the perfect platform to introduce our partnership with DC Entertainment and the Justice League to benefit the 'We Can Be Heroes' campaign."

Working together, Kia, DC Entertainment and RIDES magazine designed and built the Batman-themed Optima, transforming the exterior with a matte- and piano-black paint scheme, a dramatically lowered coilover suspension and muscular ground effects kit, huge Ksport performance brakes for extreme stopping power, custom-designed 20-inch black wheels and a performance exhaust system. Other exterior modifications include a custom front grille shaped like a batwing that took over 40 hours to create, yellow LED lighting accents throughout the vehicle and the iconic bat signal etched into the HID headlights.

Moving beneath the cape, the Optima's seating surfaces are costumed in custom black leather and suede with bold yellow accent stitching. Gotham City's streets are full of villains and the Batman-themed Optima is ready for action at a moment's notice with a Bat suit and cowl mounted in the trunk and utility throwing stars installed in the center console.

As Kia's sales have grown, so has the company's role as a responsible corporate citizen, and the Batman-themed Optima furthers those efforts with two video screens in the front-seat headrests that will raise awareness about the worst hunger crisis in 60 years by featuring a custom "We Can Be Heroes" video that demonstrates how one small act can make anyone a hero.

Starting at just $35,275[2], the Optima Limited, which is built at Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, is based on the fully loaded turbocharged Optima SX and is offered in Ebony Black, Snow White Pearl and Titanium Metallic exterior colors. The Optima Limited features many details that are mainly found on luxury vehicles, including LED daytime running lights and chrome-accented rear spoiler, lower door sills, wood interior trim and electronic parking brake. Standout red brake calipers can be seen through the Optima Limited's uniquely designed chrome 18-inch wheels while the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected engine delivers 274 horsepower and achieves up to 22/34 mpg[3] (city/hwy).

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.

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.

Courtesy of Broadway World

2014 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle Confirmed -- Model Line-up Expansion Continues As Automaker Enjoys Increasing Sales

Kia has announced that its next-generation Soul will offer the company's first all-electric powertrain.

Slated for 2014 launch, details on Kia's new EV are limited but disguised Soul development prototypes have already been spotted performing shakedown tests near Kia's technical HQ located in Russelsheim, Germany, as well as on the roads of UK. Sources believe the electric Soul will make its public debut either at the Chicago or New York international auto shows.

Beyond the Soul EV, Kia has pushed for fuel efficiency technology in other vehicles in its line-up as well. Two years ago, Kia first introduced its Optima hybrid vehicle, which features a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine mated with an electric motor producing 40-hp with a unique lithium-polymer battery.

What's more, Kia has also developed an all-new range of diesel powerplants designed to meet Europe's new Euro 6 pollution regulations. According to Kia engineer, the diesel engines will prove expensive to manufacture but still cost significantly less than its hybrid offerings, which is hindered by complex and expensive electrical components. Despite the challenges of creating a price-competitive hybrid, Kia has enjoyed climbing hybrid sales in Europe, rising nearly 80 percent from only 72,000 sold in 2008 to 129,000 units in 2012.

While the European auto market continues to struggle due to economic volatility and steeper austerity measures, Korean automaker Hyundai-Kia believes the company can stand to make serious global sales gains for 2012. Kia has gained an additional 23 percent of the European market in the first 7 months of 2012 despite the Euro market having fallen by 7.1 percent. All in all, according to Hyundai-Kia's figures, the company expects global sales exceeding 7 million for 2012, nearly 1 million more than the 6.1 million sold for 2011.

As Hyundai-Kia's sales performance continues to climb, expect the company to unveil more and more attractive and competitive vehicles to their model range in the months ahead. Look for more information on the latest Kia Soul EV as we draw closer to the 2013 New York Auto Show.

Courtesy of i Motor Times

Come Test Drive A Kia And Get A 12-Pack Of Coca Cola!

Hey fans! Stop by Van Griffith Kia to participate in our new Coca Cola promotion! If you test drive a new KIA or get an oil changed you will get a 12 pack of Coke. Or if you buy a new KIA you get a years supply of coke. We look forward to seeing you!

Kia Motors and DC Entertainment Band Together to Create a Fleet of Justice League-Inspired Vehicles for Hunger-Relief Effort

Kia Motors America (KMA), one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S.[1] over the last five years, has joined forces with renowned comic book publisher DC Entertainment, to bring the World's Greatest Superheroes to life by combining automotive styling with comic book art.  The partnership, which will yield eight individually customized vehicles, harnesses the talents of legendary comic book artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, who has collaborated on the design of each car with his vision for each iconic member of DC Comics' Justice League.

Each core member of the Justice League line-up – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg – has been matched to a Kia vehicle based on key attributes and character traits to create custom, one-of-a-kind rides to be unveiled over the next ten months at major auto shows and comic-cons across the U.S.

The Kia-DC Entertainment partnership will yield a total of eight vehicles timed to be unveiled around five major events around the U.S., including New York Comic-Con, SEMA Show in Las Vegas, North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Wonder-Con and San Diego Comic-Con.  Many of Kia's most recognizable and decorated models –  the Optima, Soul, Sorento, Sportage, Rio and Forte will wear the iconic colors and marks of the legendary Justice League Super Heroes and be built by West Coast Customs, RIDES magazine, Import Tuner magazine and others.

"Kia and DC Entertainment are both global brands sharing a youthful and creative mindset, and both serve to inspire and exhilarate their respective fan bases," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  "This partnership will allow us to band these two great brands together in an effort to make the world a better place through the 'We Can Be Heroes' campaign.  And with Jim Lee's vision combined with the efforts of some of the best customizing shops in the business, it's going to be a lot of fun unveiling these cars around the country."

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 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.  In addition to the seven vehicles inspired by the individual superhero characters, the Kia-DC Entertainment partnership will culminate with a fully-drivable custom car that encompasses each member 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" campaign throughout the partnership through customized "We Can Be Heroes" license plates, signage, collateral materials and in-vehicle video displays.

"DC Entertainment is pleased to be partnering with Kia on this program to help raise awareness and funds for the devastating hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa," said Amit Desai, SVP of franchise management, DC Entertainment.  "Each of the iconic members of the Justice League is a superhero in his or her own right, but when they band together as the Justice League, they become an unstoppable force for good and right.  The Justice League reminds us that when we combine our efforts with others, we can create a world of change.  And that we can do all that and more with style and panache.  The Justice League characters look amazing on some of Kia's best-looking and technologically-advanced vehicles."

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Van Griffith Kia - Coupons

Hey fans! Be sure to stop by and see us this month to take advantage of our special offers. You can get  10% off any repair over $200 or $50.00 off a timing belt replacement! We look forward to seeing you.

2013 Kia Optima SX Limited "Appealing" Commercial (Video)

Introducing the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited with 18" chrome wheels, LED lighting, Nappa leather-trimmed seats, an electronic parking brake and sport-tuned suspension.

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition

Maintain your car’s battery.

Maybe the manufacturer says your battery is maintenancefree, but don’t you believe it! Check your battery regularly to extend its life and avoid the hassle of being stranded with a dead battery.

    Begin with the simple: keeping your battery clean. A dirty case can actually cause current to drain. Wipe with a damp rag. Use a mild detergent if necessary.
    Next, clean the battery posts or terminals. Loosen and remove the negative cable (black or minus sign) first, then the red positive cable. Use a brass wire battery brush dipped in a paste made from a few tablespoons of baking soda and a little water.
    Inspect the battery case for damage, such as cracks or bulges — signs that a battery needs to be replaced.
    Reinstall the cables, positive first, and coat the terminals and clamps with a thin coating of grease to prevent new corrosion.

Kia Racing's DonorsChoose.org/Infinity Audio Forte Koups Take On Lime Rock Park To Defend Grand-Am Class Championships In 2012 Season Finale

With the deep green of the Housatonic State Forest just beginning its transition to the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of autumn in New England, a showdown is in the offing at Lakeville, Connecticut's Lime Rock Park, host to the 10th and final round of the 2012 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC). Kia Racing enters the season finale as the defending Driver and Team champions for the Street Tuner (ST) class, and Andy Lally, pilot of the No. 10 DonorsChoose.org/Infinity Audio Forte Koup, sits a mere 12 points out of first place, well within striking distance - but in need of a race win and some good fortune to best his closest rivals.

"The No. 10 DonorsChoose.org/Infinity Audio Forte Koup has been strong all year, and the Kinetic crew has done a fantastic job to put us in the position we are in," said Lally. "We are definitely still in the chase to give Kia back-to-back championships, and it would mean so much for this race team and Kia Motors America to repeat as champs. But with the points battle as tight as it is, we're going to need a bit of racing luck to bring home the hardware in 2012."

With four teams and seven drivers still mathematically in the hunt for the CTSCC ST-class Team and Driver championships, Kia Racing is tapping into its talent pool for this final, winner-take-all event. Mathew Pombo, usually the lead driver of the No. 12 Koup, will qualify and start the No. 10 machine before handing off to Lally for the run to the checkered flag. Meanwhile, fresh from a highly successful rookie season in the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC), Kia Racing drivers Michael Galati and Mark Wilkins will trade in their turbocharged PWC Optimas to join forces in the No. 12 DonorsChoose.org/Infinity Audio Forte Koup for the Grand-Am finale.

"We are focused on winning this championship for Kia and for our hard-working race team. We have the best crew in the paddock and the best drivers behind the wheel," said Russell Smith, co-owner, Kinetic Motorsports. "Andy Lally and Mathew Pombo have been teammates all year in the Koups. They have similar vehicle set-up preferences and know and trust each other very well. And in the No. 12 machine, Michael Galati and Mark Wilkins have just finished a great rookie season in the Pirelli World Challenge Infinity Audio Optimas, during which time they developed the type of close and collaborative relationship that is critical to a successful driver pairing in endurance competition. Together, quite frankly, I like our chances to repeat as class champions at Lime Rock."

In addition to the human factor, the machinery should be up to the task as well. The Kia Forte Koups are well-suited to Lime Rock's 1.5-mile, seven-turn circuit, which places a premium on handling and momentum. Last year, the No. 10 entry finished in fifth place on its way to a historic season, winning the 2011 Team and Driver title.

The Championship Weekend at Lime Rock Park is scheduled for Friday, September 28. The green flag drops at 3:20 p.m. ET. Check out live race status, photos and updates at www.facebook.com/kiaracing . Race fans can also tune in for television coverage on SPEED Saturday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. ET. (Time and date subject to change. Check local listings).

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.

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Special offers at Van Griffith Kia

Hey fans! Don't forget to stop by and see us to take advantage of our special offers. You can get $50.00 off a timing belt replacement or 10% off any repair over $200! Hurry, these offers end on September 30th!

Top 10 Green Driving and Fuel Efficiency Tips

Global warming is a shared issue facing all of us, and numerous carmakers, including Kia, are making their best efforts to develop eco-friendly vehicles to help offset their environmental impact. However, there are some things that you as drivers can start doing today to help in this worldwide action towards a greener planet. Today on Buzz, we’ll show you some simple tips to become a green driver while saving some money at the fuel pump along the way.

1. Weight: Many of us have a ton of useless things in our cars that we don’t need for our everyday commutes. Reducing weight can significantly cut down on fuel consumption, so lighten up your load.

2. Remove Roof Racks: Take them down when you are not using them. Roof racks can create wind resistance, which increases fuel consumption.

3. Tire Pressure: Occasionally checking your tire pressure at the fuel pump is a great habit to develop. Did you know that for every 6psi a tire is deflated below its stated pressure, fuel consumption increases by 1%?

4. Refueling: Avoid overfilling your fuel tank since spilled fuel evaporates and releases harmful emissions.

5. Drive with the windows up: This reduces air drag for better fuel efficiency.

6. Limit air conditioning use: We tend to overdue the A/C and using more than needed will consume more fuel.

7. Switch off the engine: If you’re stuck in a traffic jam where you will be stationary for more than two minutes then turn your engine off.

8. Harsh acceleration and braking: This action can use up to 30% more fuel and can cause wear and tear on your vehicle.

9. Control your speed: Did you know that travelling at less than 15mph (24 km/h) creates the most pollution? Your level of pollution decreases as your speed increases up to 60mph (96 km/h), but travelling over this limit will start increasing your pollution levels again

10. Careful motorway/highway driving: The concertina effect is caused when one motorist brakes sharply and causes the traffic behind to slow down to a near stop due to the delayed reaction of drivers behind. We can anticipate and judge our necessary speed by observing three or four car lengths ahead and giving ourselves some distance from the car in front. When you see a car bake up ahead, simply remove your foot from the accelerator. By the time you get close to the car in front it would have speeded up already. Not only will this increase your fuel efficiency, but you can stop the concertina effect from happening.
These habits are just the beginning, but they will all add up in the long-run and contribute towards a better earth and your own personal fuel savings.

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

Here's A Tip To Extend the Life of Your Car

Fix bad weatherstripping immediately.

If your weatherstripping is letting rainwater leak into the interior of your car, take a look at it and decide if you can repair it or if it needs to be replaced. Small leaks can be handled with brush-on seam sealers. Resecure loose sections, not otherwise damaged, with trim adhesive. Torn sections may be repaired with special caulking available at auto parts stores. You may also be able to extend the life of worn-but-intact sections by inserting foam rods, available at automotive stores, into the hollow section of the weatherstripping. If you decide to replace entire sections of gasket, don’t simply buy generic stuff such as you’d use around the house. Buy a product that matches your car’s original weatherstripping — it’s available in a wide variety of profiles from dealerships and automotive mail-order catalogues.

World-class Windsurfing with Kia

The world elite of windsurfing will meet this week on the Danish west coast in Klitmøller, Denmark to compete for the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) world championship, officially known as ‘The Kia Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup.’

48 of the world’s best male windsurfers will compete in the discipline known as “Wave Performance,” which is considered to be the sport’s most spectacular category. This exciting form of windsurfing is an adrenaline charged ride that has surfers taking acrobatic and aeronautic leaps over waves and flying through the air.

You might be wondering, “Why is it called ‘Cold Hawaii?’ – Klitmøller, which is located in Northern Denmark, has been aptly named by local surfers as ‘Cold Hawaii’ for its surf conditions and cold weather. It has quickly become a world-class surfing spot and its climate and surf will definitely boost the exhilaration and challenge for this year’s competition.

Kia has been a title sponsor of the event for the past three years, and we believe the event represents our global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

Be sure to check out the inspiring short video above that captures the essence of windsurfing at ‘The Kia Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup.’

Which would you choose?

Two of your friends just cancelled their five day vacation plans and are asking you to take their place instead for free. One was going to the actual Hawaii islands to relax on a beach resort, and the other had booked “Wave Performance” lessons with a world-class windsurfing champion, but in Denmark’s “Cold Hawaii,” which one would you choose, and why?

 

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

Parts Request

Is your Kia in need of a new part? We would love to help you find the exact part you are looking for!  Click here to order parts from us by filling out a simple form.

 

 

Kia Motors America Partners With HerHighway In A Nationwide Drive To Raise Awareness Of Breast Cancer

Kia Motors America (KMA) announced today that it has partnered with HerHighway.com, an online site empowering women with bumper-to-bumper automobile knowledge, to supply Kia vehicles for "Drive Breast Cancer Awareness," an across-the-nation drive event, which aims to raise public awareness around breast cancer.  The eight-day cross-country road trip will start in Los Angeles on September 25 and finish in New York City on October 2, which marks the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 100 women will participate, including breast cancer survivors, journalists, bloggers and race car drivers Shea Holbrook, Ashley Van Dyke and Melanie Troxel.  The vehicles that KMA is providing for the drive include the 2013 Kia Sportage EX, 2013 Kia Soul! (Exclaim) and 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid.  Along the way, the drivers will make pit stops at various locations to talk about the event and to raise awareness about breast cancer.  The public can also follow the drivers via Twitter with the #HerHighway and #Kia hashtags.

"Kia is deeply committed to supporting HerHighway and the 'Drive Breast Cancer Awareness' event which delivers much-needed awareness towards a disease that affects approximately one in eight women in the United States," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  "Kia vehicles such as the Sportage, Optima and Soul are perfect vehicles for a cross-country road trip, and it is our privilege to provide these vehicles that will help HerHighway get the word out about breast cancer."

The "Drive Breast Cancer Awareness" campaign started in 2011 when its founder Christina Selter, HerHighway's Editor-in-Chief, was diagnosed with possible ALCL, a rare form of liquid breast cancer.  Since her diagnosis, Selter's goal has been to bring potentially life-saving information about breast cancer to women across the country through this drive.  A few weeks after the conclusion of the event, Selter will undergo a full Capsulectomy.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth  Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling.  Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand.  In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality1 and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking2.  Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*.  Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and 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 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 in the U.S3. 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.

About HerHighway HerHighway is a team of female automotive and lifestyle experts on a mission to empower women with bumper-to-bumper automobile knowledge and everything along the way.   HerHighway's bumper-to-bumper automotive reviews, tips and feature articles created expressly for women…by women.  That's what makes us such a refreshing detour in a male-dominated world.  HerHighway's Editor in Chief Christina Selter, is a nationally-recognized automotive and safety expert, she has been featured in more than 2,000 national and local newscasts, international press conferences and automobile trade shows around the country. She created the Drive Breast Cancer Awareness not only to create awareness of this terrible disease, but to pay homage to those that have fought and lost.

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Enter To Win A $500 Visa Gift Card!

Happy Monday fans! Don't forget to enter to win a $500 Visa Gift Card from us. Click here to get started, contest ends on October 31st. Good luck everyone!

Kia Soul "In My Mind" Music Video Challenge

YouTube personality, What's Up Elle, creates a demo music video to Axwell's remix of "In My Mind". Pretty good dancers but the Hamsters are still better!

 

Courtesy of Kia Motors America YouTube

The New York skyline looked like this 11 years ago. Never forget 9/11!

Van Griffith Kia Coupons

Happy Monday! Stop by and see us this month to take advantage of our special offers. You can get $50.00 off a timing belt replacement or 10% off any repair over $200! We look forward to seeing you.

Van Griffith KIA donates another KIA Sportage to the Granbury Police Department!

Van Griffith KIA donates another KIA Sportage to the Granbury Police department for Officer Jeff Hastings to use in their DARE program. Officer Hastings visits our local schools and builds relationships with our school children while educating them on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. We are very proud to be a part of this fantastic program. If you would like to help as well please contact Officer Hastings at 817-243-1369.

 

New Kia Soul Hamster Campaign Continues With Launch Of "In My Mind" Music Video Challenge; "Bringing Down The House" Makes TV Debut Tonight During MTV Video Music Awards

Kia's music-loving hamsters energized movie audiences over the holiday weekend, and now they are making their way to the digital screen with the launch of a new user-generated content contest as the "Bringing Down the House" spot begins airing on TV during tonight's MTV Video Music Awards. The fourth installment of the award-winning ad campaign is set to "In My Mind" (Axwell remix), and the Kia Soul "In My Mind" Music Video Challenge on YouTube encourages imaginative users to interpret the electronic dance music song's lyrics in their own unique way and create a corresponding music video for the opportunity to win a new 2013 Kia Soul and other prizes.

Contestants are encouraged to create a 90-second music video that synchronizes the "In My Mind" track to their visuals. Videos can be uploaded to www.youtube.com/kia through September 26 and users can share their production via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to help garner votes that will account for 49 percent of the final score. Six (three potential winners, and three alternates) finalist videos will be selected in mid-October, and a panel of celebrity judges, including Far East Movement, Paul Hunter and Mickey Finnegan, will select the winning entries.

"Music has played a starring role in each of the Soul hamster spots, and the mash-up and remixing trends that inspired 'Bringing Down the House' lends itself to tapping the imaginations of fans of the spot and aspiring music video directors to allow them to express their creativity," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America.

About "Bringing Down the House"Created by David&Goliath, Kia's advertising agency of record, the new 60-second spot fuses old and new worlds by placing a spotlight on the emergence of electronic dance music, which has quickly found its way into the mainstream with some of today's biggest musical acts incorporating classical sounds and instrumentation into their arrangements.

"Bringing Down the House" starts with all the grandeur and scale of an epic Hollywood period film as ballet dancers, an opera singer and a slightly odd-looking conductor take the stage in 1799. As soaring music and vocals fill the air, the audience is stunned when the conductor is revealed to be a music-loving hamster in disguise. With the cast and audience looking on in shock, a futuristic Kia Soul rises through the stage floor and a hamster DJ spins this summer's electronic concert anthem, "In My Mind" remixed by Axwell - a member of the DJ trio, Swedish House Mafia. It doesn't take long before the sight of dancing hamsters decked out in colorful "Hamstar" clothing causes even the crustiest of the upper-crust crowd to lose their inhibitions. With the entire opera house on their feet and moving to the music, the hamsters make a memorable exit as their Soul travels through hyperspace with a hamster winking and waving its paw in the interstellar wind.

About the 2013 Kia SoulWith fun-to-drive performance and out-of-the-box styling, the 2013 Soul delivers impressive horsepower and fuel efficiency of up to 27/35 miles per gallon (mpg) city/highway[1], along with a long list of standard comfort and convenience features, including Bluetooth®[2] wireless technology with steering wheel-mounted controls, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a chrome-accented grille. Soul 2.4-liter I-4 equipped with the ECO Package also offers the fuel-saving ISG technology, which turns off the engine when the vehicle is not in motion, such as at a stop light or in traffic. The award-winning Kia Soul has been named as this year's No. 1 vehicle on the coveted "10 Best Back-to-School Cars in 2012" list by Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, as well as honored as class best by two J.D. Power and Associates Studies: IQS and APEAL.

Kia's Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[3] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[4]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and 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 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 in the U.S[5]. 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.

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition

Don’t try to carry too much.

Never exceed your car’s roof load specifications or weight limits.You can find them in your vehicle owner’s manual. Check the weight limitation of your roof rack as well. Typically the range is from 150 to 200 pounds (68 to 90 kg). That’s the equivalent of eighteen 8-foot 2 x 4s (2.4-meter 38 x 89s) or three sheets of 3/4-inch (17-mm) plywood. If you have to deliver a heavy load from the home or garden center, consider having it delivered. It will save wear and tear on you as well as your car.

Kia Launches $13 Million Global Humanitarian Project

Kia Motors Corporation expanded its corporate social responsibility activities this month by launching its Green Light Project, a global social mobility program that will seek to improve the accessibility of health and education for disadvantaged youth in ailing regions.

The project’s official launch ceremony took place earlier this month at the future site of the Maendeleo Secondary School situated in the Madale area of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (East Africa). Kia Motors Corporation and SBS, a national TV and radio network in South Korea, funded the construction of the school, which will serve as the Green Light Project’s official base camp.

The ceremony drew an attendance of 700 local residents and was attended by Kia Motors Corporation’s Director of Management Strategy, Mr. Gui-Hyun Choi, and Ms. Jin-Ok Yang, the Secretary General of Good Neighbors, an international humanitarian non-government organization in General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC).

Good Neighbors has been collaborating with Kia Motors to execute its Green Light Project activities such as the secondary school’s construction and deployment of four donated Kia K2700 trucks, which will be retrofitted for use as school and village transportation as well as mobile libraries and health clinics. Kia plans to give USD13 million of funding for the project in the 2012 fiscal year.

The Green Light Project adopts Kia Motors’ corporate social responsibility values of mobility and challenge, which were introduced last year as core principles to develop programs that will help lift social, economic, transport and health restrictions in poverty-stricken areas and give new hope to disadvantaged individuals.

October is the target month for the school’s finished construction along with an adjacent community center named the Green Light Program Center. The school will consist of four classrooms, two laboratories and one library. The community center will serve as multifunctional annex and base camp for the Green Light Project’s social awareness activities, afterschool classes, material storage, and dispatch station for the four Kia K2700 trucks.

All the facilities at the Maendeleo Secondary School will be in full operation starting from next year, and the goal is to have them independently operated by local community participants within the next five years.

“A green light is the universal transit symbol to move forward, and as an automotive company, our Green Light Project will provide mobility to individuals in both a literal and figurative sense. Our Kia K2700 trucks will offer safe transportation to local residents who are isolated from healthcare and education services, and the Maendeleo Secondary School and its neighboring Green Light Program Center will empower individuals to challenge and move past restrictions that are keeping them from living a more fulfilling life,” said Thomas Oh, Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation.

In addition to Kia Motors, Good Neighbors and SBS, the project is also supported by 70 volunteers from Kia’s Happy Move Global Young Volunteers, Korea’s largest private volunteer group, which rallies support for various humanitarian causes. Volunteers will help with an assortment of activities including school construction, bus stop creation, and supporting educational classes at the school.

Kia plans to expand the Green Light Project to other countries and regions through the cooperation of its global network, and its next project will take place in the southeast African nation of Malawi. That program will be a cooperative project with Food for the Hungry International – Korea (KFHI), a global non-profit organization that focuses on poverty needs that relate to food, water resource development, primary healthcare and income enhancement.

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

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