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Korean automakers have come a long way since their beginnings in the s. A strong commitment to quality and value has transformed Korean made vehicles into worthy competitors for their Japanese, American, and European counterparts. Well-made, sharp looking and tech-laden cars, trucks, and SUVs now replace the troublesome Korean imports of years gone by. However, even though Korean brands now land at or near the top of every major survey when it comes to initial quality, consumer perception in the automotive world often lags reality by as much as a decade or more. Because of this fact, low sticker prices on Korean vehicles provide savvy buyers with the rare opportunity to drive away in an exceptional vehicle, at a great price. While smart shoppers have scored some amazing deals of late, some consumers still think of Korean made vehicles as poorly made, less safe than most of their competition, and lacking in creature comforts. With that said, here are the "Top Four" misconceptions about Korean vehicles, and why they no longer ring true.
Both Hyundai and KIA entered the world marketplace with their eye on providing value, over long-term quality and reliability. Through the years, however, both brands, especially KIA, have added more and more style, technology, comfort, and safety features to every vehicle in their lineup. About seven or eight years ago, KIA took it up another notch and began making cars that rank as high or higher in initial quality and reliability as any of their competition.
Based on a J.D. Power Initial Quality Study which measures new-vehicle quality after ninety days of ownership, KIA ranked second among thirty-three nameplates surveyed. But, KIA didn't stop there. In , they won the top spot in J.D. Power's annual report on vehicle quality for the second year in a row. In contrast, loyal owners of Japanese and German vehicles saw their brands -- most notably, Toyota and Lexus -- fall behind.
Another unfortunate misconception people have about Korean cars is that they are unsafe. But, nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, Korean manufacturers make some of the safest vehicles on the road today. Features like Front Crash Prevention and LED Headlights have landed late model KIA vehicles, for example, on the IIHS "Top Safety Pick +" list for the past several years. The KIA Optima has also earned a five-star safety rating from U.S. News and World Report. Korean vehicles offer the same great safety features such as - Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert - as do all other vehicle manufacturers. In general, Korean carmakers consider safety a top priority in the production of their vehicles. Plus, Canadian law requires that "All vehicles made for sale in Canada and all vehicles imported into Canada must meet the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards."
That may or may not have been true at one time but, it's certainly not true today. In a Consumer Reports survey of over 640,000 subscribers, the KIA Sportage ranked third (behind only Lexus and Toyota) among all vehicles manufactured between the years and . Hyundai placed tenth in the same survey. While tenth may not sound like much of an achievement, consider that five of the nine brands who came in ahead of Hyundai were luxury labels, and one was another Korean name, the previously mentioned KIA. These rankings might come as a surprise to consumers but, those in the car industry have known for years that Korean manufacturers make exceptionally reliable vehicles. KIA, for instance, placed as high as ninth on the Consumer Reports Survey as far back as .
Admittedly, Hyundai isn't the first name that comes to mind when the words "luxury vehicle" are uttered. But, the Korean carmakers Genesis line beat out Japanese, American, and German rivals to win the title of "'s best car brand in the U.S." according to Consumer Reports. KIA, also owned by the same parent company, came in sixth with the K900. The K900 rivals the best German luxury sedans in every way except price. New car buyers can expect to pay anywhere from twenty to forty percent less for the K900 than for a comparably equipped competitor vehicle. For budget-minded comfort seekers, KIA also makes the Cadenza. Two of the three Cadenza trims come standard with features such as a Harman/Kardon QuantumLogic 7.1 channel surround sound system, an eight-inch touchscreen display with navigation and a backup camera, and push-button start. Of course, these are just a few of the amenities Cadenza owners enjoy but, the point is - Korean vehicles come with all of the same luxury features found on their higher-priced competition, just at considerably lower prices.
With great success, Korean automakers have made every effort through the years to build better, safer, and more comfortable vehicles, and change buyer perception of their brands. Also with great success, Eastside KIA has worked hard through the years to provide friendly and professional service, excellent prices, a huge selection of new and used KIAs, and to become the number one KIA dealership in Calgary and all of Canada as well.
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Most of us might think of Japan and Germany as the big players in the automotive industry.
South Korea might not be the biggest manufacturer in the world, but it&#;s certainly a rising star, especially among Millennial customers.
As of , South Korea is the 5th biggest producer of cars globally.
The country has seen exponential growth and now makes up for 13% of all manufacturing output in South Korea and 12% of all employment &#; WOW.
With manufacturing giants like Hyundai Motor Group who own Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, the country is expected to become the 3rd largest manufacturer in .
What&#;s even better?
And these cars don&#;t break the bank either. With used Kia Sportage cars, you can get your hands on some seriously impressive technology for a very competitive price.
With endless technical expertise and knowledge to bring to the automotive industry, South Korean vehicles are transforming the way we drive and view automobiles all over the world.
Here are some reasons why Korean cars are often perceived as more reliable than others:
South Korea is one of the top facilitators for the testing of automated and autonomous vehicles. The testing ground, affectionately named &#;K-City&#;, is located approximately 40km from Seoul, and has the ability to stimulate a multitude of environments to test the cars to their limits.
Korean car manufacturers have incorporated innovative features and technologies into their vehicles, focusing on performance, fuel efficiency, and safety.
The integration of advanced technology contributes to the overall reliability of their cars.
Unlike other manufacturers, they actively listen to customer feedback, conduct research, and implement changes and upgrades based on consumer needs and preferences.
This dedication to improvement helps to enhance the reliability and overall satisfaction of their vehicles.
The launch of Hyundai Motor Group&#;s RoboRide taxi service in Seoul earlier this year marked a turning point in the release of the motor. Like a taxi service but without the driver, these vehicles successfully delivered customers to their destination safely and securely. Needless to say, it&#;s an exciting time for the South Korean car industry and we can&#;t wait to see what they have in store.
Korean car manufacturers, such as Hyundai and Kia, have made significant strides in prioritizing quality and reliability in their vehicles.
They have invested heavily in research, development, and advanced manufacturing processes to improve overall quality control.
As such, they implement rigorous testing and quality assurance procedures throughout the manufacturing process.
This includes extensive testing of components, prototypes, and finished vehicles to identify and address any potential issues before they reach consumers.
Korean car manufacturers often offer generous warranty coverage on their vehicles. This demonstrates their confidence in the quality and reliability of their products, providing consumers with peace of mind and assurance that any potential issues will be resolved.
Korean car manufacturers work closely with a well-established and reliable network of suppliers. They maintain high standards when selecting suppliers, ensuring that quality components are used in their vehicles, which in turn contributes to the overall reliability of the cars.
Over the years, Korean cars have consistently received positive reviews and accolades for their reliability from both industry experts and consumers worldwide. Such recognition further reinforces the perception of Korean cars as reliable vehicles.
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