History of the Kia logo

The world of automobiles has become even more viral over the years, and especially with the evolution of technology. There are many brands that are committed to this sector that has been in demand by many users for years.

And it is not to be expected that it has not already been proclaimed as one of the fastest growing sectors in the market. Since each of us has a vehicle that helps us get around and makes our long journeys easier.

In this post, we show you the history of Kia, one of the most outstanding car brands in the sector. If you are interested in how this industry has grown over the years and what its beginnings were, you cannot miss what follows.

What is KIA

Kia is an automobile brand originated and founded in the city of Korea. It was founded in 1944 and during these years, it has also been a participant in the development of other human-powered vehicles such as bicycles and other motor vehicles, such as motorcycles. Currently, this industry has become and is listed as the fifth largest car manufacturer in the world. 

What characterizes this brand so much is its high production value, since it reaches a figure of 1,5 million vehicles, distributed in 9 countries and factories. The company also leaves nothing to be desired, as they currently have a total of 15.000 employees working day after day to keep Kia on the market.

As a consequence of all the above, Kia has reached countries like Spain with the purpose of increasing its sales and strengthening its position in the automobile market. Without a doubt, it is one of the most important car manufacturers.

Kia's story

1944

To begin the history of this industry, we must take a look back and redirect ourselves once again to the past, especially to the year 1944. During this year, a company called Kyongseong Precision is founded, an industry that is dedicated to the manufacture of bicycles in the city of Seoul. Years later this company was renamed Kia and became the first chain to manufacture cars in Korea.

1951 – 1960

During these years, the company begins what will be the process of the first Korean bicycle. This bike was named Samchonriho and was founded in 1952. Years later, the company was renamed Kia Industry Co Ltd.

1961 – 1970

After the manufacture of the first bicycle, the first vans arrive. For this reason, the first truck that receives the name of K-360 is designed. other designs such as the T-1500, T-2000 or T-6000 joined. They were designed with three wheels to facilitate handling and were two-seater.

1971 – 1980

This decade was undoubtedly the best for Kia. During these years the first car is designed and created. After the subsequent creation of the first van, the industry itself started a project where the gasoline engine was launched as the main fuel for vehicles. This project marked the beginning and the birth of the first cars (Brisa Pick-Up B-1000).  Years later Kia undertakes a project for other brands such as Peugeot and Fiat.

1981 – 1990

With the advent of the 80s, what we know today as the Bongo was born, a van that differs from those designed to date, since it has nine seats. After signing an agreement with the Ford company, Kia allows itself the luxury of designing the first passenger cars. These touring cars became known as the Concord.

1991 – 2000

After several years of birth, Hyundai-Kia Automotive was born, and with it vehicles such as Rocsta, Sephia, Avella, Elan, Suma and Enterprise were also born. In 1988, this industry continues to develop under the name of Kia Motor. 

2001

To end this decade of success, in 2001 Kia exceeds with a figure of ten million, the manufactured units. These years until now, have allowed the brand to continue developing and growing in the industry. In addition, it has reached a high number of countries, which are currently many customers who bet on this company.

Ultimately, Kia is a company that has maintained a personal footprint for years. So much so that it is not surprising to find a vehicle from this company in our city or surroundings.

The evolution of the Kia logo

After briefly commenting on its history, we are going to proceed to also comment on the company as a corporate identity. For this reason, we have made a small analysis of its design and its redesigns.

Naming

Kia's name translates as the birth of Asia. Its naming derives from a series of processes that were first triggered in Korea and that have marked a before and after in this industry.

the first logo

The first logo was designed for the manufacture of the first Korean bicycle. That is why the logo does not maintain the characteristics of being a design for a sports car or tourism, but for a new design of the time. For this design, monochrome colors were used.

the inverted q

The following logo was characterized by containing a kind of green inverted Q. The meaning of this logo is nothing more than a renewal of the brand license. This license not only changed the image of the company, but also the product they sold, since they went from selling bicycles to first cars.

Los 80

In the 80s, the brand was stylized to create a logo of the company and of the time. The logo was designed by a typeface that contained thick, bold letters.

Los 90

10 years later, it was necessary to make a redesign, in this way, the brand was presented in such a way that the logo was made up of a kind of oval located horizontally. Red and white became part of the main corporate colors of the brand.

2002

In 2002, the design maintains the similar characteristics of the previous logo, but the graphic line is much clearer and more concise. The design is minimalist and serious, typical of the time.

How is the current logo of Kia

During 2022, Kia has felt the need to design a new redesign for the brand identity. A much more technological and sporty design, which undoubtedly shows some of the connotations and denotations of the time in which we find ourselves.

The new brand moves away from such a structured and legible design, and is replaced by a much more futuristic design where they house characteristics of the new era we are living in and where it appeals to a message of everything that is to come. In addition, after the creation of the new logo, other designs have also been taken into account, such as the manufacture of new electric vehicles.

Kia's spot

About two years ago, Kia launched a commercial that was shown on all television networks. It was not just any spot, because she hid a message behind it. The spot was mainly characterized by telling the story of player Josh Jacobs, a player who, personally, was conditioned from a very young age to have to live without a home in America. Surely you will wonder what this spot hides that has caught the viewer's attention so much, then we will tell you.

After the announcement of the NFL final, Kia did not go unnoticed and joined to be part of this promotion. For this, and as we have mentioned before, they used the figure of the player Josh Jacobs. The spot lasts approximately 70 seconds and tells the story of the player where he goes back to his childhood with the aim of talking to himself and advising both him and the viewer who sees and listens to him. To do this, he says to himself: «You have to believe in yourself, overcome the suffering that surrounds you and on that field is your testing ground. Strive to be someone and I promise you that one day you will be that someone.

The player, who was forced to live on the streets for years, shows a story that appeals to economic inequality and poverty that many families live in America. Without a doubt, this spot has become one of the most emotional, and the brand itself has contributed to exposing how important it is to receive help in times of poverty.

In addition, during the filming of the spot, the campaign and the player donated 1000 dollars that helped.

Conclusion

Kia has been cataloged so far as one of the car brands par excellence in the market. So much so, that as we have been able to verify, it maintains a history that characterizes it. In addition, it is not to be expected, since its growth has allowed it to have many factories distributed in different countries around the world.

For this reason, we hope that you have learned a lot about this brand that until now, we did not know why and how. Now the time has come for you to continue your search for information and learn more about it.