Kia Motors America (KMA) today globally unveiled the all-new 2011 Optima midsize sedan at the New York International Auto Show. Arriving in showrooms in early fall, the next generation Optima continues Kia’s design-led transformation while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle. Optima’s groundbreaking spirit continues under the hood and inside the cabin with the introduction of three new powertrains – including the brand’s first-ever hybrid in the U.S. (available in 2011) – which deliver class-leading power¹ and fuel economy while the latest technology features and luxury amenities are available at the touch of a button or a simple voice command.

Kia Motors America (KMA) today officially launched the all–new 2011 Optima midsize sedan, first seen during the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Set to arrive in retail showrooms in early fall, the next generation Optima continues Kia's design–led transformation while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle. Optima's groundbreaking spirit continues under the hood and inside the cabin with the introduction of three new powertrains – including the brand's first–ever hybrid in the U.S. (available in 2011) – which is expected to deliver an increase in power and fuel economy while offering the latest technology features and luxury amenities.

First seen during the 2010 New York International Auto Show, the next generation Optima continues Kia's design-led transformation while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle. Optima's groundbreaking spirit continues under the hood and inside the cabin with the introduction of three new powertrains – including the brand's first-ever hybrid in the U.S. (available in 2011) – which is expected to deliver an increase in power and fuel economy while offering the latest technology features and luxury amenities.

The all-new Kia 2011 Optima has been turning heads since its unveiling earlier this year, and the stylish and performance-oriented midsize sedan is sure to attract more attention after Kia Motors America (KMA) announced today the official manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) will begin at $18,995. Meanwhile, ALG, Inc.⁴, the industry benchmark for residual values and a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry, has assigned a residual value of 53-percent of the 2011 Optima's original MSRP for 36 months of ownership. This strong residual value is a 66-percent improvement over the previous generation Optima and represents KMA's best-ever increase.

Following the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, leading online automotive resource Edmunds.com reported the all-new 2011 Kia Optima received the highest increase in online car shopper consideration of any other vehicle or brand at the show. The Optima, which arrived in showrooms in late November, saw a boost in consumer interest and consideration from 3.2 percent prior to the show to as high as 15 percent following Kia Motors America's (KMA) press conference on November 17. The numbers represent the percentage of shoppers considering cars in the midsize category who researched a vehicle's information on Edmunds.com.

The first phase of the launch of the all-new, highly anticipated 2011 Optima – the largest campaign in Kia Motors America's (KMA) history – begins this weekend as a new made-for-cinema 60-second spot will begin running at movie theaters nationwide. Titled "Sweet Dreams," the ad is based on the premise that "nobody ever dreamt of driving a midsize sedan . . . until now," and follows a young boy as he experiences a series of magical, dream-like adventures through the streets of San Francisco, along a beach, and through a snow-covered countryside inhabited by unicorns, knights on horseback, and other whimsical creatures. His dream becomes reality, as he drives his all-new Optima through the city streets as an adult.

On the heels of the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid introduction at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, today Kia Motors America (KMA) introduced the all-new 2011 Optima Turbo, available in EX and standard in SX trims. The Optima Turbo represents Kia's first-ever turbocharged engine, adding more power and fuel efficiency to an already groundbreaking Optima line. Utilizing Kia-developed gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology, Optima Turbo offers increased performance with 274 horsepower all while improving efficiency, perfect for those requiring more power without sacrificing fuel economy.

Following a year of sales records and notable awards and accolades, Kia Motors America (KMA) added to the brand's trophy collection this week with Consumer Guide Automotive's "Best Buy" designations for the 2011 Optima in the midsize car category and the 2011 Sorento in the midsize SUV category. In addition, the 2011 Sportage received the Consumer Guide Automotive "Recommended" designation. Each vehicle was evaluated on price, features, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reliability records and resale value.

Building on the momentum of Kia's growing lineup of new generation vehicles, the all-new 2011 Kia Optima midsize sedan has received the highest possible crash safety rating of "Good" in all four tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and has been recognized as a "Top Safety Pick," the top award handed down by the organization.

When the ball drops on New Year's Eve it will conclude a record-setting year of increased sales and market share for Kia Motors America (KMA), and revelers ushering in the New Year in Times Square will be introduced to the latest result of Kia's design-led transformation – the all-new 2011 Kia Optima – with a new billboard and digital advertisements at One Times Square. The 20-foot by 40-foot Optima advertisement is the latest component of the biggest launch campaign in KMA's history, and will introduce the stylish and performance-oriented midsize sedan to more than one million people every day. The outdoor campaign for the Optima will expand in spring 2011 with the addition of several digital and static display areas on all sides of the One Times Square building.

The Editors' of Edmunds' InsideLine.com named the all-new, performance-oriented 2011 Kia Optima as an "Editors' Most Wanted^SM" Award winner. The Optima was one of six vehicles to receive the accolade and the only midsize sedan honored.

Kia Motors America's (KMA) all-new stylish and performance-oriented midsize sedan, the 2011 Optima, continues to accumulate accolades, and its latest achievement is winning Cars.com's second annual "Best of 2011" award. Optima was selected for its sharp styling inside and out as well as its available luxury features, including heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof.

Following an historic year for Kia Motors America (KMA), including important milestones such as the company's best-ever full-year sales of 356,268 units; a 16th consecutive year of market share growth to an all-time high of 3.1 percent; and the launch of the company's first U.S.-built vehicle¹ – the Sorento CUV – KMA now has been recognized as the "Most Improved Mainstream Brand" in the ALG Residual Value Awards brand rankings outlined in the latest ALG Industry Report , moving four spots from 14th place in 2010 to 10th in 2011. Driven by the wildly successful launches of the 2011 Sorento and Sportage and the all-new 2011 Optima – recently named the "Best of 2011" by Cars.com – this recognition indicates a continued rise in consumer confidence in the Kia brand and future improvements to brand value.

Following the success of its Super Bowl advertising debut last year, Kia Motors America (KMA) is returning to the big game with a fully integrated and interactive marketing campaign incorporating TV, digital, print, social media and in-dealership components to introduce the all-new 2011 Optima midsize sedan. At the center of the initiative is a new 60-second spot that will air in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV titled "One Epic Ride," and Kia will extend the campaign by giving away up to five Optimas through its "One Epic Contest," which challenges consumers to solve a series of puzzles using clues provided in pre-Super Bowl and game day advertisements and social media postings.

As part of Kia Motors America's (KMA) largest marketing campaign to date, the brand is returning to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row with a new 60-second spot introducing the all-new 2011 Optima midsize sedan titled "One Epic Ride," and its "One Epic Contest," which gives consumers the opportunity to win one of five all-new 2011 Optimas. Beginning today at 3 p.m. ET, participants can view the first question and clue for the contest by logging onto www.oneepiccontest.com, with three additional questions and clues to appear each day¹ leading up to the big game on Sunday, February 6.