THE 2013 KIA CHAMP INTO THE ARENA PROVINCIALS UNDER-WAY
23 April 2013, Johannesburg: After a successful Kia Champ into the Arena launch recently, the provincial qualifiers are underway as Cape Town host the tournament on the weekend of 27 & 28 April 2013 at Sunningdale Sports Complex.
Teams from around the Mother City will take part in a weekend of indoor football to determine who will advance to the national finals in Johannesburg on 2 June 2013. The action begins at 08:00 with football fans welcome to come along, support the teams and join in the fun.
Guess Who FC, the leading side in last year’s Cape Town leg, will return to defend their accolade whilst Mamba Five, Galacticos and Cape Town Untouchables will also be teams to look out for.
The competition, run by Kia Motors South Africa (KMSA), returns for a fourth consecutive year and is part of a global campaign that seeks to find the best amateur five-a-side team in the world.
Former Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi is an ambassador for the 2013 Kia Champ into the Arena and says he is looking forward to the opening leg of this year’s qualifiers.
“The Kia Champ into the Arena tournament is a great opportunity for these players to show their five-a-side skills in a professionally run tournament with a fantastic final prize. Five-a-side football has a growing following in South Africa with the pace of the game and close-quarter skills a big attraction for players,” said Baloyi.
“Discipline, fitness and the quality of goalkeeping is pivotal to a team’s success in this format. As a very successful goalkeeper and an avid fan of the short version of the game
I am really looking forward to the tournament,” Baloyi added.
Baloyi who will be selecting a team to compete against a Kia Motors South Africa (KMSA) celebrity team as a curtain raiser to the final at the National Finals. “Yes, I will be selecting a team through my social media platforms with the public required to follow #KCITA13 and #AskBrian for exciting pointers. The top six followers will simply be part of my team,” said the Spiderman.
Members of the public who are between 18 – 45 years and interested in this unique opportunity of being part of the team led by former Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper can do so through the abovementioned Kia twitter platform.
As the finals will be hosted in Johannesburg, the competition requires that entrants be able to make their own travel arrangements. The next leg of the national qualifiers will be played in Durban on the weekend of 4 & 5 May scheduled at Crusaders Sports Club, Durban North.
Teams from Gauteng will also get their chance to qualify for the national finals with their qualification tournament to be held on the weekend of 18 – 19 May at the Randburg Sports Club in Johannesburg.
The Kia Champ into the Arena campaign started in South Africa in 2010, and has since seen the global finals staged in Argentina and Poland. This year the South African winners will progress to the world finals in Brazil from 24–27 June 2013.
The Kia South African winners from the national finals will travel to Brazil, where they will compete with representatives from 15 other countries for the right to be crowned global champions. They will also get the opportunity to attend a semi-final match at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The winners will be representing Kia Motors South Africa at the global finals
KIA LAUNCHES FIVE-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT FOR 2013
9 April 2013, Johannesburg:Kia Motors South Africa (KMSA) today launched the 2013 Kia Champ into the Arena amateur five-a-side tournament.
The competition returns for a fourth consecutive year and is part of a global campaign, initiated by Kia Motors Corporation (KMC), that seeks to find the best amateur five-a-side team in the world.The Kia Champ into the Arena campaign started in South Africa in 2010, and has since also seen the global finals staged in Argentina and Poland. This year the South African winners will progress to the world finals in Brazil from 24–27 June 2013.
The South African provincial tournaments will be played in three cities, with the top two teams from each region advancing to the national finals to be staged in Johannesburg on 2 June 2013. The tournament will kick off in Cape Town, with this leg of the provincial qualifiers to be held on the weekend of 28 & 29 April at the Sunningdale Sports Complex.
The action then moves to Durban’s Crusaders Club on 4 & 5 May, before the final regional qualifiers, scheduled for the 18th and 19th of May at the Randburg Sports Club in Johannesburg.
The provincial qualifiers will culminate into the national finals, planned for Randburg Sports Club in Johannesburg. At this stage of the competition, the top 2 teams from each region will battle it out for the coveted prize of showcasing their skills on the world stage. The winners from the national finals will travel to Brazil, where they will compete with winners from 15 other countries for the right to be crowned global champions. They will also get the opportunity to attend a semi-final match at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. KMSA unveiled legendary former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi as the official ambassador of the 2013 campaign and he believes five-a-side football can be of great benefit in honing any footballer’s skills.
“If we could get tournaments of such magnitude then I believe that our skills development will be heightened to another level.” Baloyi says.
“The Kia Champ into the Arena campaign is a great opportunity for players from all walks of life to show their skills and make a name for themselves in a five-a-side tournament. The game is fun and full of action. I can’t wait to witness untapped talent that is so abundant in South Africa.”
As part of his role as the Kia Champ Into the Arena ambassador, Baloyi will be present at the qualifying tournaments in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, sharing insight with players about the off-field tactics that are important in building a solid football player. Last year’s winning South African team, The Untouchables, finished third at the global finals in Poland after losing in the semi-finals to the team from England.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS:
Provincial Qualifiers
27 & 28 April 2013 : Sunningdale Sports Complex, Cape Town
4 & 5 May 2013 : Crusaders Club, Durban
18 & 19 May 2013 : Randburg Sports Club, Johannesburg
National Finals
2 June 2013 : Randburg Sports Club, Johannesburg
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Distributed on behalf of Kia by : M-Sports Marketing Communications
For more information please contact : (011) 781-9724
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(SOUTH AFRICA), 20 March 2013. Since its launch to the South African public in April 2012, Kia’s dramatic and eye-catching Optima midsize sedan has played an important role in building the Kia brand locally and has positioned itself as a vehicle that visually stands out from everything else in the D-segment. The Optima was originally launched with a Theta II 2.4 MPI CVVT petrol engine, delivering impressive power and performance. For 2013, the engine on the Optima has been upgraded to an improved, naturally aspirated Theta II 2.4 GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection) Dual-CVVT (Continous Variable Valve Timing) engine. Power figures on the Optima increase by 16kW from 132kW@6000 rpm to 148kW@6300 rpm, while torque increases by 19Nm from 231Nm@4000 rpm to 250Nm@4250 rpm.
The two main differences on the new model include GDi technology, where petrol is injected directly into the cylinders as well as the upgrade from CVVT to Dual CVVT, both resulting in a significant increase of power and and an improved overal driving experience.
A serious limitation of conventional fuel injection is that, as engine revolutions increase, the valve opening and closing times get progressively shorter, thus reducing the time available to inject fuel. The GDI technology on the Optima positions the fuel injector in the most optimal location – directly inside the combustion chamber to offer unparalleled precision. With this shorter and more direct path, far greater control is attained over the combustion process: A high pressure fuel pump injects the fuel in precise amounts and intervals. Compared to a conventional engine of the same displacement, GDI delivers 8 percent more torque at low engine rpms and 10 percent more torque at the high-end for better take-off and overtaking performance.
Further performance gains on the Optima were made possible by incorporating Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DVVT) which improves engine breathing on the intake and exhaust sides for better fuel economy and lower emissions. Depending on engine load and speed, CVVT can extend or shorten the duration of the valve opening and closing for more power and lower emissions. The CVVT system is run by a new steel chain with an innovative roller and tooth designed for silent operation and durability.
“We are excited about the new GDi engine technology coming into the Kia line-up, and the Optima is the first model to take advantage of this”, comments David Sieff, National Marketing Manager, Kia Motors South Africa. “The new GDi engine will provide the Optima with extra power and torque that will more closely match the chassis and driving dynamics of the vehicle.”
The Kia Optima is available in one derivative only, with the specification level and trim unchanged from the previous model.
To further highlight Kia Motors South Africa’s confidence in its products, the warranty period on the Optima has also been extended by 50 000 kilometers to 5-years or 150 000 km. The standard 5-year, 90 000 km service plan and roadside assistance remain in place.
During 2012, the Kia dealer network has expanded by 10% and now consists of 68 Kia dealers nationally. As part of a plan to become an environmentally conscious brand, KMSA will be opening its first eco-friendly solar powered dealership in Weltevreden Park on 19 February 2013, which is also a first in the local automotive industry. Official construction for this new dealership started in January 2012, and will be completed at the end of January 2013. This will be KMSA’s flagship dealership, and is a massive 3620m2 in size.
The two major areas that contribute to this dealership’s eco-friendly philosophy include power saving in the form of renewable energy and water recycling.
The dealership will be powered by 288 roof-mounted solar panels, creating a daily maximum of 69kW of power, which is enough to power an average of 22 households per day. The energy generated by these panels is split between three converters, providing three-phase electricity at a capacity of 50 Hertz and 240 Volts. This electricity then goes directly into the load as required. If the supply of electricity exceeds the demand, the remaining electricity is stored in three state-of-the-art battery banks. The main function of these battery banks is to serve as a back-up system should the load be affected by a power outage or bad weather conditions. Should this happen, the energy from the battery banks then moves through the three inverters, creating enough electricity to power the entire dealership for 12 hours.
In line with the dealership’s environmental policy, low wattage luminaires (fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps) are used in the major areas of the dealership. Standard high base 400-Watt lamps are replaced with 4 x 54-Watt lamps, providing the same light, but using less energy. Occupancy sensors have been installed in most areas of the building which will switch off automatically after a few minutes if no movement is detected, further contributing to the dealerships overall energy saving.
The second main contributor to the eco-friendliness of Kia Weltevreden is its ability to recycle water through its state-of-the-art filtration system. Rainwater is collected from the facility’s roof and is then distributed into six containers, each with a holding capacity of 10000 litres. This water is then pumped into the car wash where it is used, whereafter it gets pumped back into the water filtration system which purifies the water from oil, soap or any other dirt. This water is then filtered and pumped back into the containers, to be re-used in the car wash bay.
“The Kia brand has shifted to the next level. Not only do we offer consumers a competitive value proposition with our re-designed and re-engineered products, but ventures like our brand new solar powered dealership have given us the platform to become leaders in the industry, comments David Sieff, National Marketing Manager of Kia Motors South Africa.
On a global level, the move to eco-friendly products is well underway, with Kia product offerrings covering electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell derivatives of certain models. As the demand for eco dynamic vehicles increases, these will be made available to markets outside of North America and Europe.
“Although these vehicles are not currently available to the South African market, we have decided to focus our efforts on making the operational side of Kia Motors South Africa as eco-friendly as possible, with Kia Weltevreden being the blueprint for future eco-friendly dealerships. We are very excited about the opening of this new solar-powered dealership, and look forward to Kia consumers experiencing the brand’s true power to surprise”, he concludes.
SOUTH AFRICA), 10 December 2012. After a successful second year of sponsoring the Take40 Chart Show on 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 KFM, Kia Motors South Africa together with Primedia decided to launch an exiting competition.
During the months of October right through December listeners simply had to vote for their favourite songs on the show to qualify and to stand a chance to be crowned as one of the two lucky winners in Johannesburg and Cape Town to drive away as the owner of a brand new Kia Rio. During the week of 3 December 2012, a finalist was announced live on air every day on 94.7 Highveld Stereo to make up the five Johannesburg finalists. The five finalists announced were Nic Strydom, Grace Gassley, Jeremia Venter, Thumeka Ntshikaniso and Audrey Khuboni.
The drama unfolded at Melrose Arch on Saturday 8 December 2012, where Mark Pilgrim did a live broadcast of the show on the Piazza. With tension mounting, each of the five finalists were handed a key to a vehicle, with only one correct key opening the Rio. With bated breath each finalist tried their luck until Thumeka Ntshikaniso from Johannesburg’s key opened the Rio.An excited Ntshikaniso could barely contain herself and broke down in tears when she realized she was the winner. “I cant believe I won, I am so excited”, Ntshikaniso gushed when she was asked how she felt. Winning this prize could not come at a better time for Ntshikaniso, as she passed her learners licence the Monday prior to the show. “Thank you to Kia and 94.7 for this amazing prize and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of my brand new car”.
This Saturday, 15 December 2012 during the last show of the Kia Take40SA for the year, Mark will be giving away the second Kia Rio to a lucky listener in Cape Town on 94.5 KFM.
(SOUTH AFRICA), 14 December 2012. On 15 December 2011, Independent Newspapers South Africa, holding group for Star Newspaper, IOL and The Cape Times amoung other, announced the Kia Rio hatch as the overall winner in the “Best small/budget car” category in their Motoring Car of the Year competition. The publishing group described the Rio hatch as a car “that blends trendy styling with impressive ride quality and neat handling” and as a B-segment car with a “larger than average” interior.
As one of Kia Motors South Africa’s most successful models, the Kia Rio has been in high demand since its initial launch in November 2011. In April 2012, Kia Motors South Africa launched the sedan version of this model, which caters for the more practical consumer with a larger family that needs more space .The Kia Rio sedan has a similar specification level as the Rio hatch, and is an all-inclusive package, offering a large array of features. The entry level 1.2 Kia Rio features an air-conditioning system, built-in Bluetooth, central locking, a radio/cd front loader with MP3/USB and iPod connectivity, a gear shift indicator, steering wheel mounted controls, tilt and telescopic steering, 60/40 rear split seats, 15-inch steel wheels, driver and front passenger airbags, ABS, EBD and Isofix child seat anchors.
Upgrading to a 1.4 litre engine gets you additional automatic side mirrors, automatic light control, fog lights, a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob and 15 inch alloy wheels. The 1.4 TEC model features additional leather seats, a cooled glovebox, LED daytime running lights and rear LED combination lamps, projection headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a rear park assist system , additional side and curtain airbags and 17-inch alloy wheels.
On 13 December 2012, the Kia Rio sedan took the top honours in the Motoring Car of the Year competition, resulting in a second consecutive win for this model range. The publication describes this vehicle as a sedan that has a “spicy look which should attract young buyers”. Its interior is also described as very spacious, offering good leg- and headroom, with finishes and built quality described as “German-rivaling”.
When asked how he felt about the Kia Rio’s award winning streak at the Motoring Car of the Year competition, David Sieff, National Marketing Manager at Kia Motors South Africa said: “This is a very exciting competition, as the various models are judged within their own segments, and provide a true reflection of measurable excellence. Since the launch of this revamped model range, we knew that it was going to be a tremendous success, and that there would be a high demand for this vehicle, based on its looks and spec level”.
Last month, the Kia Rio hatch took top honours in Car magazine’s B-segment shootout, where it was crowned the overall winner in this highly popular and fast moving segment. The Rio hatch manual TEC model is currently a finalist in the 2013 Wesbank Car of the Year competition and is also perceived to be a strong contender in next year’s competition.
“These accolades and nominations are a true reflection of how the South African public’s perception of the Kia brand has changed over the last couple of years, andhas become a desirable option for anyone wanting a sexy and innovative car”, Sieff adds. “This latest award is a great honour for us, and we are privileged to have received this recognition”, Sieff concludes.
- Kia models receive nearly 20 design awards in four years
- Kia Optima iPad app earns Communication Design honor
(SEOUL) November 29, 2012 – Kia Motors received the highly sought-after ‘iF Communication Design’ award in the ‘Digital Media – Mobile Applications’ category, coming on the heels of a “Best of the Best” distinction by the red dot awards in recognition of Kia’s all-new Rio iPad application. Available for download in the iTunes app store for free, the Kia Optima iPad app boasts a multitude of engaging content, which all work together to create a truly interactive experience. Users can explore the fully interactive e-publication which allows to the Optima in 720° rotations, flip through available colors and wheel options; and browse through a plethora of multimedia content and information in a matter of seconds.
This new format has triggered a profound change in business, and automakers have been no exception. Kia is one of the few automotive brands pioneering the mobile communications space and recognizes that the proliferation of mobile devices is not a passing phenomenon, but an opportunity to take the Kia experience a step further. For the past two years, Kia has been championing the development and adoption of e-publications and apps across its global marketing network to tie together its massively expanding and diverse digital media content.
The official presentation of the iF design awards will take place on 22 February 2013 at the “Munich Creative Business Week” and all winning designs will be shown at the iF design exhibition in Hanover, 5-9 March 2013.
(SEOUL) November 27, 2012 – Kia’s baby Rio and the stylish Sportage compact SUV have scored an impressive duo of wins in the Australian Automobile Association’s prestigious Australia’s Best Cars awards. Rio Si backed up its success of last year, defending its title in the hotly-contested Best Light Car under AUS$20,000 category while the Sportage SLi AWD petrol took the crown in the Best SUV under AUS$40,000 category.
“This is a wonderful result in two of Australia’s most popular segments – a genuine endorsement of the work Kia has been doing to provide cars to Australian buyers with the key qualities of safety, quality and enjoyment,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Tony Barlow said.
“Kia’s journey over the past few years has been significant and this sort of recognition from an organization that exists to serve people who actually buy and own these cars is particularly pleasing. It is also another endorsement of Kia’s position as the fastest growing mainstream brand in Australia.”
Mr. Barlow said having two cars on the winner’s podium and another two (Optima and Sorento) as finalists was yet another reason to believe that Kia is heading in the right direction. The ABC judging panel, drawn from experts from each of the state motoring clubs, found that the Sportage: “has a solidly constructed feel and comes with the reassurance of an excellent five-star ANCAP Safety rating. The build quality and finish of Kia vehicles has improved dramatically in the last couple of years and the Sportage is now as good if not better in this area than many of the highly credentialed Japanese and European models in this class”
The judging panel also praised Kia for the work done to offer Australian drivers the type of behind the wheel experience they desire. “The Rio’s on road performance, handling, ride and braking was close to best in class… Importantly, the Rio has most certainly benefited from a concerted local effort to tune and recalibrate the suspension and damping to suit Aussie conditions and Aussie roads.”
Editor’s notes: Vehicle trims, model names and specifications may vary by country. For more details and availability of specific models in your market, please contact your local Kia Motors distributor or email pr@kia.co.kr
2012 marks the 3rd Anniversary for Movember in South Africa, with men from all over the country growing a moustache in support of this cancer fighting initiative. This campaign aims at raising awareness around cancers prevelant in men, and encourages companies and individuals to raise money with the ultimate goal of improving future research.
Kia Motors South Africa is actively involved in Movember this year and recently launched its first interactive ‘Movember’ campaign, referred to as the Kia ‘Mo’ Squad. It’s headed up by none other than South Africa’s favourite ‘Snor’, Pieter de Villiers, referred to as Coach ‘Mo’.
Since the beginning of the month, the public has been encouraged to become members of the Kia ‘Mo’Squad by enrolling on the Movermber website (www.movember.com). At the end of November, the winner stands a chance to win R50 000 for CANSA, as well as an iPad. There are also 14 iPods up for grabs.
Another very active individual in support of Movember, is Kia brand ambassador and host of the Kia Take40 SA show on 94.7 Highveld stereo and 94.5 KFM, Mark Pilgrim. Pilgrim has made it his personal mission to raise as much as possible for this initiative during the month of November. “This is a great initiative”, comments Pilgrim. “Having been personally affected by cancer I realise how important campaigns like these are in creating awareness of the disease. Early detection save lives” he adds.
During last week’s live show, Mark had a brief on-air discussion with Ray Levin, CEO of Kia Motors South Africa about the topic. Being the number 1 individual Movember fundraiser in 2012, Pilgrim set high goals from the get go. Levin challenged Pilgrim on air and commited to donating R50 000 to CANSA if Pilgrim could reach R50 000 in donations. Early on Wednesday morning Pilgrim reached his target and his funds raised were doubled to R100 000.
“I am over the moon and, as an ambassador for CANSA, I would like to thank Kia for the donation”, commented an excited Pilgrim. “Its companies like Kia that really make a difference in peoples lives, and I know this money will be well spent by both CANSA and the Movember Foundation”.
To date, Pilgrim has raised over R157 000, and is hoping to make it R250 000 by the end of the month.
At the end of November, Kia will announce a winner in its Movember campaign, and donate a further R50,000.00 to CANSA.
David Sieff, the National Marketing Manager concludes, ‘For Kia, this type of initiative is important to being part of peoples lives and making a difference. It’s not good enough that we participate in the business realm by providing great vehicles, we have to participate in area’s that promise a better life for everyone’, he concludes.
The best measure of how much amateur tennis is growing in South Africa could be found at the University of Johannesburg this weekend, when 16 mixed doubles teams from three regional tournaments went head to head in a battle for the Kia SA Amateur Australian Open title.
The atmosphere was tense at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday morning, when the 16 regional finalists gathered for what could potentially be a life-changing moment in the grand finale of the 2012 KIA SA Amateur Australian Open. Having overcome the first hurdle of defeating hundreds of hopefuls to make the Johannesburg final, the top 16 had to psyche themselves up for one last battle, beating their provincial opponents to edge closer to the title and the chance to represent South Africa at the Kia World Amateur Australian Open finals next January.
Cheered on by friends, family and local tennis enthusiasts, the first day’s play dished up all the drama, excitement, disappointment and unpredictability that has characterised this year’s edition of the KIA Amateur Australian Open. The top 16 finalists, comprising the top four finishers from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban plus four wildcard entries battled it out on Day one in the knockout stage. The top 16 were whittled down to just four namely Powerrangers, Serve & Volley, B&J and MP Legacy who now had their sights set on advancing to the final.
With the stakes much higher on the final day’s play, all four teams showcased the talent and skill that earned them spots in the 2012 KIA SA Amateur Australian Open semi-finals, but only two teams could advance to the final round. Hot favourites MP Legacy were just no match for the comeback stars of the Kia SA Amateur Australian Open tournament, B&J while the Powerrangers proved too strong for Serve and Volley.
The final had all the makings of a professional tennis match, featuring drama, missed opportunities, long rallies, unforced errors and nail-biting moments in a battle of the wills. B&J, who finished fourth in the Johannesburg regional tournament, dominated the match with aggressive play and defeated strong favourites Powerrangers to clinch the title.
Zackey was smiling from ear to ear after he and Mansour booked their tickets to represent South Africa at the KIA World Amateur Australian Open final in Melbourne next year. “This really is a dream come true. All we’ve been talking about and thinking about for the past three months has been about training as hard as we possibly could to win the KIA SA Amateur Australian Open. It’s so surreal. I can’t believe we won the tournament and that we’re going to Melbourne next year. I would like to thank Kia for investing in amateur tennis in our country and for affording us this amazing opportunity.”
David Sieff, Kia Motors SA National Marketing Manager, congratulated B&J on their superb victory against stiff opposition. “B&J has been outstanding in this competition and are deserving winners. I would like to congratulate Brendan and Julie on their victory and wish them the best of luck when they represent South Africa at the world finals next year. The regional tournaments and the final have been a great advertisement for amateur tennis in our country and we are extremely pleased to have provided a platform that enables our talented amateur players to showcase their talent and skills in a competitive environment.”
Kia Amateur Australian Open ambassador John-Laffnie de Jager was impressed with the quality and standard of amateur tennis throughout the regionals and final. “Amateur tennis is growing in leaps and bounds in South Africa. Kia’s sponsorship has given these players the opportunity to show off their talent and skills in competitive tournaments and has provided an unforgettable opportunity for Team B&J to experience and enjoy participating in a world amateur tournament. Congratulations to Brendan and Julie for winning the South African final and I’d like to wish them the very best in their preparations for Melbourne 2013.”
Zackey and Mansour will represent South Africa at the Kia World Amateur Australian Open Finals in Melbourne next January where they will face off with the 20 winning mixed amateur teams from across the globe in a tournament that runs parallel to the Australian Open. Their prize is an all expenses paid five-day hospitality package which includes tickets to the Australian Open.
