• Kia debuts in 37^th place on annual Interbrand study of green brands
• Interbrand assesses both market perception and environmental performance
• Kia also recently named in Interbrand’s 100 Best Global Brands 2012

(SEOUL) June 12, 2013 – Kia Motors has been named 37^th in Interbrand’s list of the 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013, a debut for the Korean car manufacturer in the annual ranking of sustainability and environmental performance of the world’s 100 most valuable brands. Interbrand assesses businesses based on market perception and the actual environmental performance of the company and its products and services.

This latest recognition by Interbrand follows hot on the heels of Kia’s recent introduction to the 100 Best Global Brands 2012 rankings, in which Kia placed 87^th.

According to the 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013 study, Kia has placed eco-management at the forefront of its brand management strategy alongside its emphasis on quality and design management since 2006. Under this initiative, Kia has made huge strides in improving the performance of its vehicles, with a strong focus on enhancing fuel efficiency and a long-term aim for zero-emission vehicles. As a result of its efforts, Kia continues to be perceived as a leader in the environmental sustainability sector.

“In our view, the best green brands are those that are not only vital, relevant, powerful and pioneering, but also profitable, ethical and ecologically responsible. We applaud Kia Motors’ efforts aimed at sustainability in all facets of its global operations that have enabled the company to be named as one of our Best Global Green Brands 2013,” said Jez Frampton, Global CEO of Interbrand.

Kia’s commitment to increasingly efficient mobility is realized partly through the introduction of the latest green technologies to its growing range of products under the EcoDynamics umbrella to ensure the company remains ahead of global emissions regulations and continuously improves average fuel consumption of its entire product line-up. This includes the development of hybrid powertrains for the brand’s Forte model in Korea and Optima model in global markets, plug-in electric vehicles, full-electric vehicles and even hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles.

Kia has also realized an increase in the environmental performance of its supply chain, production centers and logistics operations. The brand has been recognized for minimizing harmful emissions from its operations and reducing the use of water resources during the manufacturing process, as well as recycling more than 90 percent of the waste generated during production at domestic plants.

Meanwhile, the brand brings its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities together under the slogan, ‘A Better Way to Go,’ which has seen the introduction of the Green Light Project – a global initiative to build schools and provide school buses to children without access to education. The Green Light Project also runs disease prevention programs and mobile clinics. In 2012, Kia realized a 15 percent year-on-year increase in CSR investment.

Tae-Hyun (Thomas) Oh, Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “Kia Motors continues to invest heavily in sustainable growth in environmental performance and corporate social responsibility around the globe.

“We strive to create safe, economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles in all our manufacturing facilities, and our business practices have been developed to match this focus on sustainability.  Kia employees around the world work hard to ensure sound environmental performance in all aspects of the business, and we will continue to invest in encouraging sustainable mobility,” Oh added.

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Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) –  a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in nine manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has over 47,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of US$42 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.