JEDDAH: Another car manufacturer whose new models captivated visitors at the latest Jeddah Auto Show is the South Korean carmaker KIA Motors, which has made record sales in the past several years. Mir Ajmal, marketing manager, Al Jabr Automotive, sole distributor of KIA cars in Saudi Arabia, told Saudi Gazette that KIA "capitalizes on design and performance” to raise further its market share. He said KIA has arrayed 13 models in the Show including Mohave, Sorento, Cerato, Cerato-Koup, Rio Carnival, Soul, Picanto and K400 pickup, out of which, three are all new: Cadenza, Optima and Sportage. He noted that the remarkable designs of new KIA models are the handiwork of Peter Schreyer, an automobile designer, widely known for his design contributions to the Audi TT, who has joined KIA Motors as the Chief Design Officer in mid-2006. An honorary doctorate by Britain's pre-eminent school of art and design, the Royal College of Art, was conferred on him in recognition of his outstanding contribution to automotive design. Moreover, Ajmal said KIA has introduced a five-year round the clock free roadside assistance anywhere in the Kingdom. It has been in service for almost two years now, he added. The New Optima 2011 is among KIA's major highlights, added Sheikh Abdulsalam Al Jabr. "The successful sales and after-sales strategies of Al Jabr Automotive strengthened KIA's position in the highly competitive automobile market of the Kingdom. KIA now occupies No. 5 position as compared with No. 8 a few years ago," said Jamal Mohammed, KIA Motors Saudi Arabia director for Western Region.
