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The family-friendly tournament, LPGA Kia Classic kicks off today at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, California for the seventh consecutive year. Here, 144 players from around the world will compete for $1.7 million and a new Kia K900 luxury sedan as they are transported around in Kia vehicles on the challenging par-72 course. Cristie Kerr, last year’s defending champ, will look to defend her title. This tournament will also offer plenty of fun activities for golf fans of any age, like scavenger hunts and player autographs sessions. Not to mention, admission is free for active military and their families and children under 17! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to Kia’s new philanthropic partner, Hire Heroes USA, a non-profit organization that helps veterans transition to the civilian workplace. You can check out the coverage on the Golf Channel from March 24-27. "Seventh Annual LPGA Kia Classic Returns to Aviara Golf Club March 24-27." SEVENTH ANNUAL LPGA KIA CLASSIC RETURNS TO AVIARA GOLF CLUB MARCH 24-27. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/11425/seventh-annual-lpga-kia-classic-returns-to-aviara-golf-club-march-24-27>.

The philanthropic efforts of Kia Motors America (KMA) have been expanded even further through a new partnership with Hire Heroes USA. This organization is a non-profit that provides support to military veterans in order to help them transition into civilian life. The organization provides career coaching services in order to help the veterans find a way to use the skills they learned in their military training and find a way to put them to good use in a new career. Hire Heroes USA consists of teams of Veteran Transition Specialists who are in seven different locations throughout the U.S. and they currently assist in the training of more than 300 military members who are transitioning from active status to civilian life. The majority of the training is accomplished through online and telephone one-on-one coaching with a coach to help them learn the best way to make success out of their military skills. “Kia is grateful to the brave men and women who have served our country, and we are proud to partner with Hire Heroes USA in an effort to empower military veterans and their families,” said Tim Chaney, vice president, marketing communications KMA. “Naming Hire Heroes USA the official charity partner of the 2016 LPGA Kia Classic will help raise awareness for the important career services they provide to veterans and their spouses, and we hope through this partnership to count some of those heroes as part of the Kia team in the near future.” As part of this new partnership, KMA has made a $25,000 donation and named Hire Heroes USA the official charity partner of the 2016 LPGA Kia Classic. As a result, a portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales of the event will be donated to the organization. "KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP WITH HIRE HEROES USA TO HELP MILITARY VETERANS FIND CIVILIAN JOBS." Kia Media. N.p., 9 Mar. 2016. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiamedia.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fmedia%2Fpressreleases%2F11330%2Fkia-motors-america-announces-philanthropic-partnership-with-hire-heroes-usa-to-help-military-veteran>.

Destination Kia is happy to let all of our customers from Albany, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Queensbury, and Kingston, NY know that we are going to be releasing a new Research & Review page on the 2016 Kia Sportage. Therefore, if you have been thinking about taking a test drive in this vehicle but you want to learn more about the feature and options this model has to offer first then you should be sure to check out the new Research & Review page that we will soon be releasing. Through this page you will be able to learn all about the safety features, convenience features, engine and transmission options, and trim level options of this model, so look out for it’s arrival soon.

U.S. News & World Report have named the 2016 Kia Soul the “Best Compact Car for Families”. The winners of these awards were determined after an evaluation of over 250 vehicles. During the evaluation, all vehicles were judged based on professional automotive reviews, the availability of family friendly features, safety and reliability ratings, and seating and cargo volume. The vehicle with the highest composite score in each of the 21 categories was then declared the winner. “We’re honored that U.S. News named the Soul the Best Family Car within the compact category for 2016,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA.  “The iconic urban passenger vehicle has numerous features geared toward families on the go who are looking for advanced driver assistance systems, cutting-edge technology, spacious passenger seating, and cargo space.” "2016 SOUL NAMED AMONG BEST CARS FOR FAMILIES BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT." Kia Media. N.p., 9 Mar. 2016. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiamedia.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fmedia%2Fpressreleases%2F11323%2F2016-soul-named-among-best-cars-for-families-by-us-news-and-world-report>.

If you are interested in the 2016 Kia Optima then you will be excited to learn that that this all-new model is here at Destination Kia. This stylish and exciting all-new midsize sedan has a lot to offer in terms of power, efficiency, convenience, and more. Recently, Kia has released two new advertisement that showcase the impressive features and capabilities of this vehicle in fun and unique ways. The first video is called “Rubik’s Cube” and it shows how when you have Apple CarPlay that locating and playing your favorite music does not have to be a puzzle, in fact it is as easy as locating music on your ipod. The second video is called “Rocket” and it demonstrates the excitement of the performance capabilities of this model and how exciting it is to head off down the road while sitting in the driver’s seat of this model with its turbo engine and sport-tuned suspension. You can see both videos below and be sure to stop by 760 Central Ave Albany, NY 12206 to take the 2016 Kia Optima out for a test drive.

Kia Motors America reported their best-ever February sales after selling 49,737 vehicles last month. February 2015 only brought 44,030 vehicles, which meant a 13 percent increase for Kia. More importantly, it was the tenth consecutive month in which they achieved a new sales record. The Optima and the Soul were at the forefront of Kia’s success with the Soul selling 11,842 vehicles and Optima selling 9,630 vehicles. The Forte and Sportage also played a role, with the Forte selling 8,187 vehicles versus February 2015’s 5,549 vehicles and the Sportage selling 5,860 vehicles compared to last February’s 3,407 vehicles. “With our Super Bowl ad, Presidents’ Day Sales Event and prominent role in the NBA All-Star Game, February was a huge month for Kia as we extended our monthly record streak to double digits,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KMA. “Positive economic indicators, low gas prices and mild weather nationwide also drove consumers into Kia showrooms at a record pace, where they discovered the ‘New Kia’s’ line-up of world-class products.” Check out the full statistics below and once you do, head on over to Destination Kia to test drive the 2016 Kia Optima, Soul, Forte, Sportage or any other member of the 2016 Kia Fleet! There is a reason they’re breaking sales records. "KIA MOTORS AMERICA POSTS TENTH CONSECUTIVE MONTHLY SALES RECORD." KIA MOTORS AMERICA POSTS TENTH CONSECUTIVE MONTHLY SALES RECORD. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2016. < http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/11314/kia-motors-america-posts-tenth-consecutive-monthly-sales-record >.

Great news for our customers in Albany, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Queensbury, and Kingston, NY! The Research & Review Page for the 2016 Kia Forte5 is now available for you on our website. This page will supply you with all types of Forte5 knowledge to prepare you for your test drive. The 2016 Kia Forte5 has two diverse engine/transmission options including the 2.0 liter Inline Four Cylinder Engine with Electronically Controlled Six-Speed Automatic Overdrive with Sportmatic® and the Turbocharged 1.6 Liter, Inline Four-Cylinder Engine with Six-Speed Manual Transmission. Standard features include AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM® Audio System with Six Speakers, Body Color Dual Heated Power Mirrors, and 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat with Center Armrest & Adjustable Rear Headrests. These are just some of the highlights--find more details when you visit the page. While you’re on the website, set up a test drive to experience this great vehicle in person!

At the Kia Ride and Drive, Kia gave their fans a chance to experience the new 2016 Kia fleet with a test drive. Customers and their families took out the 2016 Kia Sorento, K900, Soul EV, Forte, and Soul with a fellow Kia employee. Customers were impressed with several features, most notably the Adaptive Cruise Control, Napa Leather, Panoramic Sunroof, Infinity Sound System with Pulsating Speakers, Smooth Suspension, Responsive Brakes, and Powerful Pickup. Watch the video people and if you live near Albany, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Queensbury, or Kingston, NY, we invite you to visit Destination Kia at 760 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206 to experience any of these 2016 Kia models firsthand. "Kia Fans Test Drive Our New Cars!" YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8q63ubjO4M >.

The 2016 Kia Forte5 is up for anything, and up for a test drive at Destination Kia! If you have been interested in this vehicle but would like more information first, you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ll be releasing a Research & Review page on our website. This page will tell you everything you need to know about the Forte5 including starting MSRP, EPA estimated MPG, engine and transmission options, safety features, plus all the standard features on each trim level! We will be releasing this page very soon, so check back often for additional updates.

If you’ve been dying to get behind the wheel of the new 2016 Kia Cadenza, Destination Kia welcomes you to visit us at 760 Central Ave in Albany, NY 12206 for a test drive! However, if you would like to do more research beforehand, that’s perfectly okay too. We have all the information you need on one page on our website. When you check out the Research & Review Page for the 2016 Kia Cadenza, you’ll find that it harnesses a 3.3L V6 Engine that partners with a Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Overdrive with Sportmatic™. It also has stylish and amenable features like Rear-Camera Display, Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Hands-Free Connectivity, and Multifunction Steering Wheel. Despite its great features, safety is still its first priority with Brake Assist System, Hill Start Assist Control, and Tire-Pressure Monitoring System. Get the full details on our page and schedule your test drive today.

Last week at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, Kia Motors America revealed the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The HEV will be part of the environmentally friendly Kia Motors EcoDyanamics sub-brand. Just like the all-new fourth generation Optima Sedan, the Optima HEV benefits from the full redesign plus an additional focus on fuel efficiency. Here are some of the highlights from the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid: Refined Cabin: The Optima Hybrid has been made larger and more comfortable with luxurious features such as redesigned seats to provide more comfort and support to passengers. Intelligent Technology: The Optima HEV was designed with advanced technology to make driving safer and easier. Safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, and Front Collision Warning System. Aerodynamic Form and Function: The Optima Hybrid was designed to mirror the all-new Kia Optima Sedan style, but it was also built with additional features to improve aerodynamics. The most notable of these is the open/close speed adjusting active grille which will also optimize engine bay cooling. Enhanced Hybrid Performance: The Optima’s previous 2.4L Engine has been replaced with a 2.0L GDI Four-Cylinder Engine, working in tandem with a 38 kW electric motor and a Six-Speed Transmission. This makes for an estimated total of 193 horsepower and a ten percent increase in fuel economy. “Kia is pursuing a bold initiative to increase fuel efficiency by 25 percent across our entire model line-up by 2020, and new models like the Optima HEV and PHEV will be critical to realizing that vision,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, KMA. “The brand’s commitment to sustainability, coupled with our history of delivering premium amenities and value, has never been more evident than in these all-new hybrid vehicles, which are world-class examples of green engineering, advanced technology and design.” Get more details by clicking the link below! "Kia Unveils the All-new 2017 Optima Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show.#KiaCAS." ALL-NEW KIA OPTIMA HYBRID UNVEILED AT 2016 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2016. <http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/11201/all-new-kia-optima-hybrid-unveiled-at-2016-chicago-auto-show>.

Last year NBA All-Star LeBron James became the official spokesperson for the all-new Kia K900 luxury car. LeBron stated that he reached out to Kia about being the spokesperson after being so impressed with his personal K900. While the K900 may be a luxury model there were still many fans who did not believe that a successful sports star such as LeBron would actually be driving a Kia. So, over the last few months, Kia and LeBron have been releasing a series of humorous advertisements that play off some of the doubting comments that fans sent out via twitter. For the new series, three tweets that expressed doubts about LeBron’s daily use of a K900 were turned into commercials with the individuals who sent the tweet being called out. In the first spot, we saw LeBron heading off to collect from a twitter user who bet $10 million that he did not actually drive a K900. In the second spot, he proved to one user that they were 100 percent wrong in their prediction that there is a zero percent chance he drives this vehicle. Finally, in the latest spot, he challenges a user that stated: “LeBron drives a Kia like I fly a spaceship”. In order to prove them wrong LeBron gears up in a spacesuit and heads off to meet up with the twitter user to go for a ride. Check out the latest spot “Spaceship” in the video below.