Kia Motors America Is No More, Changes Its Name To The Simpler Kia America

As part of its rebranding effort, Kia’s American arm will change its name from ‘Kia Motors America’ to ‘Kia America’, while ‘Kia North America’ replaces ‘Kia Motors North America”.

The move is part of the brand’s Plan Shift (sometimes referred to as Plan S). The $25 billion strategy aims to add sustainable mobility, delivery vehicles, personal mobility to its global repertoire and will see Kia launch 11 new electric vehicles around the world.

That part of the plan is expected to start soon for Kia America, as it revealed today that its version of the 300-mile electric EV6 will be hitting U.S. roads early next year, with orders for the First Edition opening in June.

Kia, though, called its name the “most visible component” of a complete brand transformation. And, indeed, to make it even more visible it has also updated the logo.

Also More: Kia Gets A New Slogan To Go With Its New Logo

“On a global scale, our brand is sharpening its identity, and defining a sustainable, purposeful strategy within existing, new and to-be-developed vehicle segments as well as larger efforts we are now ready to pursue,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia America.

Announced late last year, the new global logo is supposed to look like a handwritten signature.

“The rising movement of the two diagonal strokes are accentuated by beveled ends and reveals an unexpected subtext, ‘Ki,’ or ‘to rise,'” writes Kia. “Narrow connections between the characters emphasize the power and energy of movement, and the wide proportions of the three vertical pillars reinforce stability and provide a confident and balanced appearance.”

Kia America will remain a part of Kia North America, which has plants in both Georgia and Mexico and handles the brand’s presence in the U.S. and Mexico as well as in Canada. Both are headquartered in Irvine, California.

“This is an important and inspiring time in Kia’s history,” said Yoon. “Today’s announcement signals that Kia in the US is fully aligned with Kia Corporation’s global strategy and primed for continued success.”