KIA MOTORS CELEBRATES EARTH WEEK WITH CLEAN MOBILITY SHOWCASE

KIA MOTORS CELEBRATES EARTH WEEK WITH CLEAN MOBILITY SHOWCASE FEATURING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS AND THE REFRESHED 2014 OPTIMA HYBRID

Automaker Donates Two Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 

Parkway Family Kia is excited to announce Kia's involvement with giving back to the environment.

-Partnerships with The Ecology Center and Pacific Marine Mammal Center support Kia’s diverse corporate sustainability practices, which include green manufacturing processes and emission-reducing technology

-Improved aerodynamics and efficiency of the 2014 Optima Hybrid is latest evidence of Kia’s commitment to provide technologically advanced vehicles that also reduce dependency on non-renewable resources

Recognized as one of the “50 Best Global Green Brands” by Interbrand, Kia Motors is celebrating Earth Week by highlighting its commitment to environmental sustainability in the United States, including important local partnerships with The Ecology Center and Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), as well as marking the arrival of the refreshed 2014 Optima Hybrid in showrooms.  The Optima Hybrid will be joined later this year by Kia’s first all-electric, zero-emission vehicle in the U.S. – the Soul EV – and both vehicles illustrate the brand’s vision for a greener future.  As such, Kia Motors America (KMA) will place two electric car charging units at The Ecology Center, a San Juan Capistrano, Calif.-based non-profit eco-education center dedicated to creating a healthy and abundant future for all of Southern California.  Community members will benefit from Kia-subsidized vehicle charging1.

“Making an impact in the communities we call home is an important component of Kia’s overall sustainability efforts as consumers’ interest in living a ‘green’ lifestyle goes well beyond owning reduced-and zero-emission vehicles to embracing eco-consciousness in all aspects of daily life,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, KMA.  “The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach support food, water supply and marine life conservation, among other environmental issues, and Kia is proud to support the education and preservation missions of both organizations.”

The 2014 Optima Hybrid builds upon the advancements of its award-winning gas-powered sibling, which went on sale in late-fall of last year.  Outfitted with its own exclusive enhancements, including front and rear fascia updates designed to increase aerodynamic efficiency, the 2014 Optima Hybrid improves upon its predecessor, which was named one of the “Top 11 Most Fuel-Efficient Sedans for 2013” by Edmunds.com and set a world record for lowest fuel consumption by a gasoline hybrid car traveling through all 48 contiguous U.S. states, getting nearly 65 mpg over 8,000 miles. 

“As an environmentally minded company, The Ecology Center is extremely pleased to work with Kia to bring subsidized electric vehicle chargers to the local community,” said Evan Marks, executive director, The Ecology Center.  “We are a regional education hub that empowers individuals and families, and our partnership with Kia means we can apply that same thinking on an even broader scope at our facility and better spread the message of sustainability to even more members of the community in southern California and beyond.”

Earlier this year, KMA pledged to support the PMMC’s efforts in a multitude of ways, including the donation of a Soul community outreach vehicle, participating in staff beach clean-ups, sponsoring recovering sea lion patients at the hospital, and more.  The Kia Soul will be used to support the organization’s mission of marine mammal rehabilitation and education.

“Community philanthropy and funds to support education is what keeps non-profit organizations like the PMMC successful in being a widely recognized leader in marine mammal rehabilitation science,” said Keith Matassa, executive director, PMMC.  “As the Center continues to expand its reach, it is the perfect partner with which Kia can work together to bring awareness to the public about environmental conservation and consideration to benefit our planet.”