17 January 2012
Kia’s reputation of churning out fabulous value and great quality cars looks to continue unabated in 2012 with news the Rio Si Hatch has just taken out the overall Best Cars honours in the 2011 Carsguide Car of the Year Awards.
“After a rigorous selection, testing and deliberation process, I’m pleased to announce Kia Rio Si Hatch a worthy winner,” said Carsguide Managing Editor, Ged Bulmer. “Car of the Year is a natural extension of our efforts to educate, inform and entertain our readers.”
Paul Gover, Carsguide Senior Motoring Reporter and one of Australia’s most experienced automotive journalists, added: “The Kia Rio Si Hatch is only the second Korean brand to win the award since its inception in 2007.
“Delivering an impressive blend of performance, safety and technology at a fair price we are certain it won’t be the last.”
Blitzing the award was by no means an easy feat with the unassuming Rio stealing the honour from prestige nominations - worth five times as much as Kia’s little champion.
According to Kia Motors Australia President and Chief Executive Officer Mr Chongwoo (aka Charlie); the award is vindication of many years of hard work that the Kia brand is most definitely on the way up.
“This just a wonderful result for Kia, not only in Australia but as a global company,” Kim said.
“Kia is committed to delivering our customers the best - and best value cars in the market. This prestigious award is confirmation that our goals are worthy and achievable.”
The Rio also won Australia’s Best Cars Award for Small Car Under $20,000 and has now backed that up with an outright win in Carsguide COTY; and further, in early December, the Rio’s 1.6-litre GDI Gamma engine was named as one of Ward’s Top Ten engines.
Mr Tony Barlow, Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, described the win as an outstanding recognition of the journey Kia is on, both with its brand and its models.
“With this recognition - and other awards gathered over the past 18 months - Kia need no longer stand in anyone’s shadow,” Mr Barlow said. “We have been planning and working to provide Australian buyers with great looking, great value cars that recognise and address the particular driving tastes of the local market.
“That work has borne fruit in the recognition of the motoring experts, like those at Carsguide. However, it is also providing a boon for Australian drivers in general with more manufacturers now realising the value of going the extra mile and offering drivers dynamics they really value.”