kia sorento and carnival scored top positions at the 2007 strategic vision total quality index™
- For the Second Year Running, Kia is the most improved brands overall on the Strategic Vision’s 2007 Total Quality Index™
- Award winning SUV and MPV Add to Kia’s Growing Portfolio of Accolades
Kia Motors Corporation, one of the fastest growing automakers in the world, marked yet another year of outstanding Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index™ (TQI) achievements announcing that the 2007 Kia Sorento and Carnival both received top honors in the 2007 Total Quality Index™ (TQI), leading the mid-size SUV and MPV segments respectively. .
Kia, is also the most improved brand overall from last year’s TQI survey. The U.S.-based research firm calculates their results based on
The Total Quality Index™ is the premier measure of new vehicle ownership in the U.S. this prestigious research firm calculates the results based on the overall ownership experience of a vehicle. Strategic Vision surveyed more than 27,700 new car owners who purchased their 2007 vehicle during the October-December 2006 period, focusing on the first 90 days of vehicle ownership, and assessesing total ownership experience, encompassing positive and negative product experiences, reliability, dealership experience and emotional attachment to a vehicle.
“The Total Quality Index is a nice feather in our cap, as it is based directly on consumer feedback,” said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO, KMA. “We are proud that the Sorento and Carnival have been recognized as prime examples of the continuous effort put by Kia towards reaching unknown heights of exceeding customer satisfaction.” Added Hunt.
The 2007 Sorento also earned a five-star crash safety rating, the highest rating possible, for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the 2007 Carnival was selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as one of only 13 vehicles to earn the “Top Safety Pick” award for its impressive performance with top ratings in frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, and was named the “Safest Minivan Ever Tested” by the organization.
The Carnival has also picked up the 2007 MotorWeek “Best Minivan” award in its 2007 Drivers' Choice Awards, while both the Sorento and Carnival, along with six other Kia models, picked up The Car Book 2007’s “Best Bet” distinction. Overall, Kia models improved 22% in J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study (IQS), and improved twice as much as any competitor in the last 3 years, showing how the company continues to offer world-class quality and award-winning customer satisfaction.
