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A close up image of the Kia logo.

Kia Motors Announces Underwhelming Rebranding and New Name

The popularity of the Kia Motors brand has skyrocketed in the past few years. Ten years ago, many of us remember the Soul commercials feature the hip hop hamsters and probably growing a more negative vision of the brand than not. However, in the past few years, the brand has seemed to turn things around, …

The popularity of the Kia Motors brand has skyrocketed in the past few years. Ten years ago, many of us remember the Soul commercials feature the hip hop hamsters and probably growing a more negative vision of the brand than not. However, in the past few years, the brand has seemed to turn things around, producing well-loved and highly-spoken about vehicles like the Telluride. Now, it’s time for Kia Motors to do some rebranding, but it’s nowhere near as exciting or striking as the new Stellantis.

How is Kia Motors rebranding?

Kia Motors has announced that they are going with the flow and making an official change to their name. It will no longer be known as Kia Motors, but if you’re waiting for a dramatic name change, you’ll be left hanging. Kia Motors will rebrand by simplifying, removing the word “Motors” from the name once and for all. Which is fine because most people refer to the brand by its shorthand anyway.

A Kia Telluride is seen during the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT
The Kia Telluride | Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Turner Sports

High expectations for the brand

It makes sense that the brand is taking cues from Consumers and working toward rebranding. Once an underdog, Kia is now a highly desired brand, graying the border between luxury and affordability. With a 2021 lineup of vehicles that ranges from striking SUVs to surprisingly sporty sedans and coupes, our expectations of the brand is higher than ever, and our image of the brand has never been better.

A red 2021 Kia Soul, equipped with standard AEB, drives on a paved surface with a blue sky in the background.
The 2021 Kia Soul comes with AEB standard | Kia

‘Movement that inspires’

Kia launches the brand with the motto “movement that inspires” and was featured with the online showcase, the New Kia Brand Showcase, on YouTube last Friday, January 15th. In the 20 minute video, different brand reps explain that the brandis reaching out to be more than just a standard car brand. In fact, any owner would feel pretty proud about their car after watching this surprisingly inspirational video.

While the new version of the company seems like an underwhelming change at the surface, we are hopeful for the future of the now simply Kia. With a total rebrand and new logo, we can’t wait to see the brand continue to grow and flourish.

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