Sponsorship Includes Integration of Kia Vehicles within the Immersive and Interactive Hall Scheduled to Open in fall 2014

• College Football Hall of Fame’s downtown Atlanta location is less than 80 miles from Kia’s U.S. manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia
• Sponsorship adds to Kia’s growing involvement and support of college football – Kia also is the “Official Automotive Partner” of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and a sponsor of the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl and 2013 Outback Bowl

 IRVINE, Calif., December 5, 2012 – Kia Motors America (KMA) and Atlanta Hall Management (AHM) today announced a long-term marketing partnership establishing Kia as a Founding Partner of the all-new College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, slated to open in fall 2014.  The new College Football Hall of Fame will be a 94,000 square foot facility adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.  Kia is one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. over the last five years¹, and the new partnership expands on Kia’s commitment to the State of Georgia, which is home to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), where two of Kia’s most popular and best-selling vehicles are built*.

As a Founding Partner, Kia will be designated as “Official Automotive Partner” of the College Football Hall of Fame with prominent exposure in high visibility initiatives designed to enhance the visitor experience, in addition to numerous displays and branding opportunities.  The $66.5MM project will feature in excess of 30,000 square feet of exhibit space, as well as a 45-yard-long indoor football field that also will serve as unique, flexible programming and event space.

“With the new College Football Hall of Fame about to break ground in downtown Atlanta, Kia was presented with an extraordinary opportunity to reach passionate college football fans and expand our strategic sports marketing initiatives, while raising awareness, perception and consideration for the Kia Brand, literally from the ground up,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA.  “Kia is proud to call the State of Georgia home to our U.S. manufacturing plant. We are excited about the addition of a new attraction to the Atlanta-area and the opportunity to showcase the fantastic Sorento and Optima vehicles built nearby in West Point, Georgia.”

 “We are honored to have Kia as the Official Automotive Partner of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta,” said John Stephenson, Interim Executive Director of Atlanta Hall Management.  “Kia’s commitment to the state of Georgia and their ardent support of college athletics make them a perfect fit for the Hall.”

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 quality² and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking³.  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.S⁴. 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.

About Atlanta Hall Management

Atlanta Hall Management (AHM) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3/509(a)2 charitable organization established to build and operate the College Football Hall Fame in Atlanta.  AHM has been tasked with the responsibility of delivering a highly-immersive, interactive and engaging experience to Hall of Fame visitors. Slated to open in the fall of 2014, the new College Football Hall of Fame will be a 94,256 square foot facility adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.

About The National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame

Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 121 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame, the NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, Play It Smart, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Alumni Association, and scholarships of more than $1.3 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF presents the MacArthur Bowl, the William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, and releases the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings.  NFF corporate partners include the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the BCS, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, Liberty Mutual, NCAA Football, and Under Armour.  For more information, please visit www.footballfoundation.org.