Kia Motors enters the ranks of the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands’

Kia Motors Corporation has entered the exclusive list of the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands,’ according to the 2012 study released recently by Interbrand, the world’s largest brand consultancy agency. 

Kia’s remarkable increase in brand value is now estimated at $4.1 billion USD, which firmly sets the automaker at 87^th place on the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands’ list. This is a 50% increase from last year’s estimated brand value far exceeding the average automotive brand value growth rate of 11%. The 2012 edition of Interbrand’s annual ‘Best Global Brands’ study was executed through a comprehensive brand performance analysis using best practice research methodology by expert analysts. The study measures a corporation’s financial performance in terms of the raw financial return to investors; role that a brand plays in the actual purchase decision; and brand strength, which is the ability of a brand to secure the delivery of expected future earnings. 

The strong increase in Kia’s brand value closely mirrors the company’s recent surge in global sales, which have posted three consecutive double-digit year-or-year gains to cement Kia’s position as the world’s fastest growing major automotive brand. Over this three year period (2008-2011), Kia’s annual global sales have grown by 81% to nearly 2.5 million units. 

The UAE also has observed growth in Kia’s brand reputation and sales figures. According to Samee Akbar Mitkar/Marketing Manager, Kia’s sales in the Emirate during first nine months of 2012 have grown by over 34% compared to same period of 2011. 

Claire Chai, Vice President of Kia Motors Corp. Marketing Division, said, “Entering the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands’ validates Kia’s commitment to continuously provide exciting and inspiring brand experiences. And it’s amazing to see what we can accomplish by staying true to who we are – a young and dynamic challenger that goes beyond expectations. 

In addition to the major advances Kia has made on the product front, the company has also been executing numerous large-scale marketing initiatives that have helped raise awareness of the brand, including its sponsorship agreements with the world’s premier sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, Australian Open Tennis and National Basketball Association. Kia has also made effective in-roads towards engaging its young-at-heart customers through a strong presence on social media channels and innovative advertising campaigns such as the eccentric music-loving hamsters TV commercials seen in the USA for Kia’s iconic Soul urban crossover vehicle.