Your "Tri-County Kia" Dealership Kia Motors Founders Facts and Trivia: Kia Motors Corporation was founded in 1944 in Seoul, South Korea. The company first manufactured bicycle parts and steel tubing. Kia manufactured the first Korean motor scooter in 1957, the first Korean truck in 1962, Korea's first internal combustion engine in 1973, and the first Kia car was manufactured in 1974. Kia Motors America was incorporated in October, 1992, and the first Kia car marketed in the U.S. was the Kia Sephia in 1994. Kia was purchased by the Hyundai Automotive in 1999. In 2009 the first Kia manufacturing facility opened in West Point, Georgia. The first Kia car both manufactured and sold in the U.S. was the 2011 Kia Sorento. Kia Motors Headquarters: The Kia global headquarters are located in Seoul, South Korea along with its parent company Hyundai Automotive Group. The Kia Motors USA headquarters are located in Irvine, California. Kia Motors Mission, Vision and Values: As part of the Hyundai Automotive Group, the vision, mission, and values of the Kia brand is the same as that of its parent company.