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Did you know that every minute, around 26 vehicles are recycled in the US per minute? Conversations around ecological conservation, global warming, and renewable energy are becoming more and more frequent as politicians, citizens, and businesses work together to create a greener future.  In light of that, we thought it would be a great idea to celebrate America Recycles Day by highlighting efforts the automotive industry is doing in order to recycle and reuse metal and other materials in efforts to be more eco-conscious! more Automotive recycling accounts for 14 million tons of recycled steel, or the equivalent of more than 13 million cars.  In fact, vehicles are the most recycled item in all of the US, with around 95% of decommissioned and defunct vehicles being recycled annually.  More than 27 million vehicles are recycled around the globe annually, and 12 million of those are from right here in the US! Automotive recycling industry in the United States provides jobs to over 100,000 people, and nearly $25 billion in revenue.  And the North American (US/CA) auto recycling saves 85 million oil barrels each year, and enough reclaimed steel to create 13 million new cars! Everything from steel and aluminum to car batteries (a whopping 98% are recycled) windshield glass, carpets,rubber hoses, and even seat belts can be repurposed or recycled!  Even tires can be recycled and repurposed into new goods such as rubber for shoes and sandals, filler for playground surfaces, etc.   Experts anticipate that scrap metal recycling will total upwards of $60 billion by the end of 2021, with about 60% of scrap metals being recycled from the automotive industry over the next 10 years. Did you know that 86% of your car’s parts can be recycled? Here’s a great list of parts that can be reclaimed, repurposed, or recycled for use in other vehicles by automotive enthusiasts and mechanics: Vehicle batteries Select computerized elements Gently used or new tires Hoods Bumpers and fenders Transmissions Other specialty parts in good condition Other materials from your vehicle that can’t be salvaged for use in another vehicle, but are upcycled and repurposed everywhere include: Glass which is recycled into concrete, glass bottles, insulation, jewelry, and even countertops. Oil gets cleaned, refined and repurposed for use in other applications. In fact, 85 million barrels of oil are saved every year through recycling. Rubber tires are shredded and broken down into things such as mulch, playground surfaces, running and race tracks. Steel and aluminum from vehicle bodies and frames. Did you know that even consumers and car owners can find ways to reuse auto parts at home?  We’ve got a great list of ideas for you to incorporate those old car parts into decor and more! Rustic Industrial Kid’s Chairs by “My Repurposed Life” - made from recycled vehicle jacks! A Reclaimed Licence Plate Map by “C.R.A.F.T .Blog” - collecting old license plates and cutting them up for each state in the US! Car and Tractor Tire Rim Ottomans from “Country Living” - create the perfect outdoor seating for your firepit by repurposing old car rims as a seat base! Seatbelt Buckle Key Holder by “Walyou” - a clever way to thwart the family member who always loses their car or house keys! Reuse Old Car Tires in the Garden List by “Backyard Boss” - create a veggie garden, planters, and more with your old discarded tires! Got a garage that needs reorganization and updating?  Try implementing these handy ideas for storage from old coffee cans, soup cans, and more!  Got some room to do cutting and welding? Why not turn some aluminum cans into art in your garage-turned-workshop. DIY Coffee Can storage DIY Storage Options from PVC Pipe and more DIY Tin Can Storage DIY Soda Can Art and Decor DIY Tire Swing from Bob Vila Not interested in upcycling or DIY projects? You can still take part in recycling your old car parts of your own accord. Check out this handy list of suggestions on how to do so!

We’ve covered tips and tricks for roadside safety, proper car maintenance, and plenty of road trip ideas, but today we’re taking it back to the basics and fundamentals of driver safety: seatbelts!  To celebrate National Seat Belt Day, we’re sharing some important facts about seat belt usage as well as some suggestions for securing your family pets on the road, too. It’s all right here on today’s blog. more We’re thrilled to report that according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2021’s national use rate of seatbelts by Americans was an impressive 90.4%! In 2020, NHTSA reports that out of the 23,000+ passengers of cars who died in vehicle accidents, 51% of them were not seatbelted. It’s important to buckle up each and every time, no matter how long or short your trip is - in fact, most crashes happen within 25 miles of your home. (NHTSA) Buckling up in the front seat of a car can reduce risk of fatal injury by 45% and moderate to critical injuries reduced by 50% (NHTSA) Airbags are not a replacement for seat belts, but rather are there to work in tandem and further reduce injury or chances of death. If your seatbelt is not comfortable, you can acquire seat belt adjusters or seat belt extenders both as aftermarket products and from your vehicle’s manufacturer. Vintage, classic, and antique vehicles should be updated and retrofitted with modern standardized seat belts to ensure a safe ride. Seatbelts are a matter of national concern, and 49 out of the 50 states have specific laws about usage and requirements! Did you know that use of seatbelts and vehicle restraints drops by 40% in children when parents don’t properly use their seat belts? 57% of 13 and 14 year olds who were involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were unrestrained. Setting a good example for younger drivers and younger passengers can save their lives! (NHTSA) Children should always remain secured in car seats and/or booster seats until they have outgrown the size and weight limits of their booster seats, or have reached a size where they can fit properly in the seat with safe seat belt usage. Generally, this is between ages of 8 and 12. Additionally, all children under 13 should remain in the back seat. From 1975 through 2017, seat belts have saved more than 370,000 lives. Car Safety for Pets Travel Safety Tips for Pets Frontal Car Crash with Unbelted Passengers The Seatbelt Song for Kids

Today is STEM/STEAM day, and we’ve rounded up some picks for incredible gift giving ideas to inspire young Engineers and Entrepreneurs!  The Arts and “STEAM” programming are a vital part of any person’s well-rounded education.  Without support for STEAM/Arts education, society would truly struggle to advance forward as a society.  It is the strength of the vital bond between science, math, engineering, art, and mathematics that help us create new technologies, find creative solutions to real-world problems, and take incredible leaps in progress!  So let’s all do our part to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in our communities.  Consider gifting some resources or funding to local organizations that provide STEM/STEAM activities for our local community and youth.  Together, we can inspire these bright young minds and work towards a brighter tomorrow! more First up on our list is the Discovery #Mindblown Model Engine STEM Science Kit that lets your up-and-coming engineer and mechanic explore the science and technology behind an automotive engine!  It’s a fantastic, budget-friendly gift for the young inventor in your midst. Stemnex Amazing Steam Engine is an awesome project kit that allows you build a realistic, working steam engine with real steam and whistle action!  It does have quite a few parts, so it’s better suited to older budding engineers or may need additional help from a parent or adult. The FANL Train Set Toy and RC Train allows kids to explore and interact with remote controlled train and build their own track to experiment with the best layout and design. It comes with rechargeable batteries and a water squeeze bottle to create realistic steam action. It’s an introduction to building and engineering, and thinking creatively. KiwiCo kits like this Stereo Headphones box are a great way to get your little learners involved and connect them to the engineering, industrial science, and mathematics behind every day household items!  They’ll love knowing they had a hand in making this themselves when they use it for listening to music or gaming! Gift a Class or Membership t o the young adults and teens in your life at the College of Lake County in Grayslake! The KiwiCo RaceDay kit is perfect for younger engineers to experiment with.  They’ll have an opportunity to build and customize their own balloon cars, and observe different speeds and drive styles!  Additionally, they’ll have fun using the hand-powered air brush for decorating for a full sensory experience! Need an option that spans multiple age groups? Check out these options that will allow friends groups and siblings of all ages to connect with one another! The Ramps and Balls set is perfect for experimenting by using the included wooden balls or experimenting with toy cars, zoomy toys, and wooden train toys as well!  It’s a timeless, classic toy set that allows for plenty of flexible play. The Construction Plank Build-It Kit is a fabulous hands-on introduction to construction, with each little card giving your scholars and engineers an opportunity to problem solve and replicate the item pictured.  Kids can work together to create, or turn it into a game of skill and wits! Leaves lots of room for creativity and open ended play. The Design & Build Engineering Center Kit Set is perfect for open ended play, especially if older siblings want to help little ones!  Perfect for ages 3 to 7, but open ended enough for older kids, too.  Use the kits alone, or combine them to create to your heart’s desire! Sensory play is extremely important for kids of all ages, allowing them to interact with the environment and problem solve in creative ways!  It gives them a tangible experience to process the math, science, and logic of the world around them.  We recommend the Mold & Play Sensory Sand Set, Squish & Squeeze Sensory Beads,  and the Classroom Clay & Dough Designer Tool Kit which works with any play dough or clay!

Campaign video evokes Kia’s key message: ‘Inspiration. It’s in all of us.’ Brand to feature Fan-made contents on electronic boards at the stadiums through #KiaInspireTogether campaign Digital content to highlight dreams and inspirations of children participating as Official Match Ball Carriers Kia to provide fleet of eco-friendly vehicles for transport of players, staff and match officials Kia to unveil content emphasizing EV6 GT-line in partnership with FIFA+ (FIFA’s OTT platform) more Kia’s OMBC (Official Match Ball Carrier) campaign for FIFA World Cup 2022™ (SEOUL) October 26, 2022 – Kia has kicked off its global brand campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ by launching several marketing activities associated with the tournament which runs from November 20 th to December 18 th. In alignment with Kia’s key brand message for this year’s World Cup, ‘Inspiration. It’s in all of us,’ Kia will feature a range of initiatives showcasing the brand’s dedication to the sport and its contribution to unite people from all over the world in their belief that their team has a chance of reaching the very top. Every four years, humanity learns that football is not just a sport, it’s a movement. Every shot, every tackle, and every second gives people the belief that they are all capable of great things. To that end, Kia will unveil a campaign hero film featuring daily lives of people who are inspired by the moment of the World Cup on TV and social medial channels including YouTube and Instagram. Plus, the brand will begin a social media campaign, #KiaInspireTogether, encouraging football fans to create own UGC (User Generated Content) showing their passion for their teams. The best UGCs will be used as highlight videos by Kia, and the videos will eventually be showcased through electronic boards at the stadiums. Rafael Nadal, Kia’s Global Brand Ambassador, along with other influencers will also upload videos cheering for their national teams to encourage more fans to take part in this campaign. The Kia EV6 GT, hero car of Kia's brand campaign for FIFA World Cup 2022™ Kia’s OMBC (Official Match Ball Carrier) campaign will highlight the dreams and inspirations of 64 children from about 20 different nations globally, for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of carrying the official match ball to the pitch alongside the players and match officials. In addition, Kia will document the children taking one step closer to realizing their dreams through the OMBC experience and promote their stories through social media. In doing so, the brand will aim not only to enhance the experience of children participating as OMBCs, but also to demonstrate how every single move can become a significant leap towards achieving any life goal. As the official mobility partner, Kia will provide a fleet of vehicles for use during the FIFA World Cup 2022™ to facilitate the safe and convenient mobility of players, referees, management and staff. 297 passenger cars (including Telluride, Sorento, Sportage and Carnival) will be joined by 80 of Kia’s most eco-friendly models (EV6 GT-line, Sorento PHEV and Niro PHEV) as well as 70 buses for this purpose. This will mark the first time for Kia to operate eco-friendly vehicles in the FIFA event. To further elaborate the vehicles, EV6 GT-line is also going to be featured in Kia’s digital content collaborated with FIFA+ (FIFA’s OTT platform), and the content will feature football legends riding an EV6 GT-line and having an interesting talk about the World Cup. The official event vehicles of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ provided by Kia are lined up in front of Al Bayt Stadium Charles Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of Purchase CX Design Sub-division, said, "Kia believes that the FIFA World Cup 2022™ is a huge cultural movement beyond just a sports event. As a FIFA official partner, we are delighted to have this opportunity to deliver special experiences to people around the world who have been exhausted by the long COVID pandemic. Like our campaign message ‘Inspiration, it's in all of us,’ we hope that people of all ages and backgrounds will discover new inspiration in their lives as they watch the exciting moments of the World Cup unfold before their eyes.” Since 2007, Kia has been an official automotive partner of FIFA, providing vehicles from its wide-ranging model line-up to FIFA and FIFA events and boosting its brand recognition through various marketing activities and A-board advertisement in the stadiums. Kia Corporation – about us Kia ( www.kia.com) is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been providing mobility solutions for more than 75 years. With 52,000 employees worldwide, a presence in more than 190 markets, and manufacturing facilities in six countries, the company today sells around three million vehicles a year. Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging millions of people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. The company’s brand slogan – ‘Movement that inspires’ – reflects Kia’s commitment to inspire consumers through its products and services. For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com Press Release Information Accuracy DisclaimerInformation posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.

Welcome to another edition of Classic’s Youtuber Roundup! Where we’re sharing our picks for entertaining car content in the vloggersphere.  It’s one of our favorite pastimes to enjoy vlogs and videos about cars and car related media.  Let us know in the comments what channels you love watching on YouTube so we can check them out, too! more First up is one of our favorite channels, Donut Media, with an absolutely hilarious edition of “Real Mechanic Reacts”!  This time, the team is breaking down some of their most favorite lines from the Fast & Furious Franchise, and asking real professional mechanics to weigh in on realism versus fiction. Sarah-N-Tuned has a fascinating video on the channel about the process of removing muck, gunk, and grime from a vehicle using the dry ice blasting method!  It’s a fascinating process that cleans the car while preserving its original quality through a non-abrasive process.  Check it out! Ken Block and the Hoonigan crew just dropped their latest project “Electrikhana” and it’s a can’t-miss-spectacle of epic proportions.  Check out this incredible one-of-a-kind custom built car hitting a closed track with plenty of neon glow for the cyberpunk energy of your dreams. Get your track cars ready for winter weather and colder temps with these suggestions from RallySport Direct’s latest YouTube video. The Car Care Nut is taking us on a run through of a 20 year old engine of a vehicle that has been well-maintained and cared for over the years.  It’s vital that you continue to service your vehicle and keep up the regular maintenance of tuneups, fluid changes, and bring in for repairs quickly.  This is one beautiful car, folks! If you’re into collecting cars, you might really dig these videos from Hoovies Garage! He’s selling 4 vehicles from his iconic car collection at auctions for a world record price.  We love Hoovies Garage and these fun project cars, and we think you will too. If you’re looking for a reliable used car for a younger or newer driver in the family, check out these recommendations from YouTuber, The Car Wizard.  He’s got a list of 6 super reliable cars and any anticipated service needs he’s experienced as a mechanic for each of them. The crew over at The Smoking Tire has been having a blast buying cheap, gross, dilapidated rides and swapping them into drivable rigs with a little elbow grease. Check out “All Cars Go to Heaven” and see how it went. This one’s from a few years back, but it’s still a super fun watch! Check out the stunt coordinator from Fast Five as he breaks down the car chase scene where Vin and Paul steal a vault.  It’s right here on the Vanity Fair channel:

Save a few dollars on cleaning and detailing with these budget friendly cleaning tips and tricks for your vehicle! Protect your windshield from wet leaves, frost, ice and snow with a plastic tablecloth! A dollar store or budget buy plastic table cloth can save you a lot of time in the morning.  No more rushing around and then walking outside to see a frosted up window or caked on wet leaves filling you with dread.  Place the plastic tablecloth over the windshield the night before, and any time where you’ll have it parked at length.  You’ll be able to easily slide the plastic cloth off and save the time scraping and brushing by simply shaking it off.  Fold it up, place it in your trunk, and you’ll be on your merry way in no time. more Use a cereal keeper container as a lidded trash can for travel! Forget about those hanging fabric garbage cans, or putting a bin/box on the floor that rolls around as you drive.  Grab a budget friendly cereal container with a lid at your local dollar store, and line it with a plastic grocery bag. Place it in the backseat of the car and use it to store your trash while you’re on the go.  Makes cleaning easier with nothing sticky left on your floor mats or carpets or tipping over on turns. Remove dead bugs and insect splats with dryer sheets! No need to gather complicated cleansers or soaps or scrubbies to get those stuck-on nasties off your windshield or bumper.  Any brand of dryer sheet will do the trick nicely!  Rinse your car with clean water, then grab the damp dryer sheet and simply wipe them away.  Rinse with water again and you’re good to go! Remove rust with a bottle of Coca Cola and a bit of foil! This soda’s notoriously acidic properties may not be so great on your insides, but they’ll do wonders for your vehicle’s outsides.  If you’ve got rust spots on your bumper or other metallic accents on the body, consider a bottle of Coke and a piece of foil for an easy budget friendly hack.  Pour the soda on the rust spot, and gently scrub it with some aluminum foil folded over 3 to 4 times into layers.  You’ll notice the rust will begin to flake off!  Once it does, you can switch off to a gentle dish sponge.  When the rust is removed, grab some gentle soap and clean water and rinse off the sticky pop and remaining debris. Protect your cup holders from sticky mess and melted drinks with cupcake liners. Your local grocery store or dollar store probably sells multipacks of these convenient cupcake and muffin tin liners for a low price!  Place a silicone cupcake liner into the bottom of each of your cup holders, and when they get sticky or dirty you can swap them out and pop them out for clean ones, and put the dirty ones in with the dishes. Easy peasy! It’s also great for easily accessing change for tolls or vending machines or air-pumps in a jiffy. Use hand sanitizer as a budget-friendly de-icer for locks and doors! A small can of deicer is a great thing to keep in your bag, backpack, briefcase, or emergency kit, but if you’ve not got one this everyday household item will get it done!  Squirt the hand sanitizer into your lock, push the key in and out and turn it gently.  Within a few moments, the ice should be melted and you should be able to turn and open the lock!  Just use caution, this shouldn’t be a repetitive hack as the sticky cleansers can jam your locks over time and require them to be cleaned, but in an emergency or occasional pinch, it will work wonders.  You can also create your own deicer in a pinch with a spray bottle, ⅓ water, and 2/3 70% isopropyl alcohol - shake to mix well and spray into the lock or door and in a few moments it should be free of ice!

Welcome to another edition of Classic Kia's Automotive Terminology Decoder! Today, we're tackling some terms and phrases related to your vehicle's steering system, and related service and maintenance tips. more 🚘️ Power steering An electric and/or hydraulic system that multiplies, for ease and comfort, the force a driver exerts on the steering wheel. 🚘️ Power steering fluid Hydraulic fluid used in a power steering system. 🚘️ Power steering hoses The flexible hoses carrying hydraulic fluid between the various components of a power steering system. 🚘️ Variable gear ratio steering assembly The steering mechanism that converts the rotational motion of a steering wheel to the side-to-side motion of a lever that is connected to the steering linkage. 💡 How do I know if/when the steering system needs service? 💡 If your vehicle's dash warnings include" service power steering" it means that your vehicle is in need of immediate inspection and repair. If you have a hydraulic power steering system, there may be a leak requiring a repair and refill of fluid. If it's an electronic power steering system, you'll receive an EPS light, and may need to inspect the vehicle's battery or battery connection. If the lights come on while you're driving, enable your hazard lights and move your vehicle to the side of the road. Once you're safely off to the side, test and check the severity of the issue by turning the wheel left and right. Some causes that may trigger alerts: 🔧 Low Power Steering Fluid or a Leak 🔧 Broken Power Steering Belt 🔧 Dirty or Contaminated Steering Fluid 🔧 Bad or Faulty Steering Pump When power steering pumps are failing, they may emit a whine or a grinding noise when turning. You may also notice a tight steering response, or a slow response when moving the wheel. Any of these indicators is telling you that it's time to bring it in for service as it's about to fail. If it is still easily movable, you may be able to drive the vehicle to your home or service center. However, if you suspect a severe issue, it will be safer to call a roadside assistance service or a tow truck. Call our service centers today to schedule a maintenance appointment!

Today we’re sharing a fun car post about tips and tricks to help you drive better on the roads and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.  These hacks and suggestions will instantly improve your driving experience!  Feel free to leave your own in the comments and let us know your convenient and money saving hacks for car maintenance. more A DIY Car Air Freshener - Looking for a long term air freshener on a budget?  The local dollar store has several items that can save you time and money!  Grab a few packages of wax melts in your favourite scent, and a small mason jar that fits in your cupholder.  Place the wax melts inside the jar and replace the lid.  Using a hammer and nail or a small drill, create several small holes in the lid.  Put the jar into your center console or cupholder, and on a warm or sunny day the wax will melt and release its scent, and it’ll harden and cool at night or in chillier weather. Toothpaste Headlight Restoration - This simple household item can take your headlights from foggy to fresh and clean in minutes!  Choose a toothpaste meant for whitening and fighting tartar build up for your best results.  Apply the toothpaste to a clean microfiber towel, then wipe the headlight casing in a circular motion.  Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and douse with clear water. Your headlights will appear good as new!  Remember to add a thin coating of protective car wax to the outside to prevent further fogging and damage. In-Trunk Bungee Cord Paper Towel Holder - It’s always handy to have some paper towels readily available to clean spills, wipe down your dashboard, and clean off gunk from your windshield.  With this helpful hack, you’ll slide a bungee cord through the paper towel roll’s center, and affix it to the inside of your car trunk.  It’ll stay secure, clean and easily accessible in a pinch! Clean Your Wiper Blades Quickly and Easily - A bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol will go quite a long way on your car. Everything from tree sap removal to glass cleaning to wiper blade cleaning!  Your car’s wiper blades can accumulate quite a bit of dirt, dust, and grime as they clear the glass for visibility. You can pour a little alcohol on the wiper blades and gently rinse with clear water to remove the outermost layer of dried rubber and gunk buildup. Vinegar and Baking Soda for both Stain and Odor Removal - Everyone loves a good family road trip and making memories to last a lifetime.  However, many hours on the road means more potential for fast food spills, mess and muck from the kiddos, and even fur and accidents from dear ol’ fido. But there’s good news!  Those stains and smells don’t have to stick with you in the memory books.  Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and soak your car’s stained upholstery, then follow up with a spoonful of baking soda and scrub with a nylon cleaning  brush or toothbrush.  Wipe it off with some hot water and clean it up with a wet-dry vacuum!  For stubborn, lingering odors, sprinkle the baking soda directly on the fabric or carpet and leave it to sit at least 15 minutes or overnight.  The longer it’s left on the surface, the more it will absorb!  You can then vacuum it up and spray it with a fabric refresher to reinvigorate the clean car aroma.  Want to keep it fresh for the long haul? A small bowl or mason jar of baking soda in the cupholder can help!

October is National Car Care Month!  Let us help you prepare your vehicle for the change in seasonal weather conditions with the helpful hints and tips from our service center.  Feel free to give us a call and schedule your appointment today for your monthly and seasonal maintenance needs. more Our service professionals are available to get your vehicle service and in tip top shape before blustery rainstorms and impending winter weather arrive. Check the fluids and change your oil. Be sure to top off all fluids such as antifreeze and oil, and get your systems flushed and changed as needed.  As you’ll be running your car idle more frequently to warm it up on chilly mornings, you don’t want anything to seize up while doing so!  Our maintenance and service technicians can help guide you on what needs to be flushed or pencil you for an oil change appointment as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Inspect the tires. Keep yourself and your passengers safe, as well as other vehicles on the road, by ensuring that your tires have proper tread depth and show no signs of extreme wear and tear.  Bring your car into the service center for a tire rotation, wheel alignment, and replace any tires that appear overly worn or close to their end of life.  Your tires provide significant stopping power by gripping the road in slippery conditions. We recommend considering a really good all-weather or winter tire in the next few weeks. Make sure all of the lights work. Sunset is creeping up earlier and earlier over the next few weeks. It’s important to make sure all of your headlights and brakelights are fully functional.  You’ll need them for those foggy, blustery evenings!  Especially important to have working headlights for trick or treating to make sure you can see the kids wandering around in costumes.  Additionally, you don’t want to get a ticket for improperly working headlights, nor get into any serious accidents because you missed something in the roadway and were unable to stop in time. Thoroughly inspect the brakes. There are few things more dangerous than wet, slippery leaves or black ice on the roadways, and both are common foes in the mid to late autumn weather.  Inspect the brakes and rotors and be sure to test them out to ensure they are not squeaking, squealing, or grinding.  If you suspect that your brakes are not stopping as quickly as usual, or are less responsive to pressure, bring your car in immediately for a service or replacement brakes. Make sure the heater and defroster are working properly. With the temperatures dropping rapidly, especially in the evening, frosty windows are a common occurrence in the mid to late fall.  You’ll want to double check that all heating vents and defroster elements are working, and do so before the need arises! It’s very important to visibility that your car has an adequate defroster and defogger, so call for a maintenance appointment if either of these features is not functioning properly.

Compact Crossovers Earn IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Status The 2023 Sportage and Sportage Hybrid have been awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) award. The designation applies to the Sportage and Sportage Hybrid when equipped with LED projector headlights, and also makes the Sportage the ninth Kia vehicle to earn either a 2022 TSP or TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) award. more "Kia’s longest running nameplate continues to evolve into something greater with each generation, with the fifth generation delivering more of everything – especially safety – for today’s savvy, adventurous, and eco-conscious compact SUV buyers,” said Steven Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. “These latest TSP designations are proof positive of that.” For 2023, the Sportage is underpinned by Kia’s all-new third generation N3 platform and delivers a wealth of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) with Cyclist detection capability, Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). The Kia Telluride, Sorento, Seltos, Carnival built after March 2021 (with specific headlights), Sportage, Sportage Hybrid and Soul (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights) also received TSP awards for 2022 earlier this year, while the Kia K5 and Stinger sedans qualified as TSP+ winners. To receive a TSP rating, a vehicle must earn “Good” ratings in six crashworthiness tests – driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests – as well as an “Advanced” or “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention evaluations.  In addition, the vehicle must have at least one available headlight system that earns a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating. Kia America: Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electrified vehicles sold through a network of over 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.* * The K5, Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride (excludes HEV and PHEV models) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. Press Release Information Accuracy Disclaimer: Information posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.

Today is Manufacturing Day, a time when manufacturers open their doors and educate the general public in their processes, foster career growth in the industry, and provide insight into the positive potential of modern manufacturing to improve conditions globally.  Over the next decade, it’s expected that manufacturers will seek to fill nearly 4 million jobs! more This annual initiative is hosted by The Manufacturing Institute with partnership from Fabricators & Manufacturers Association to not only grow the industry but diversify its ranks through skills training, community building, and support for women, veterans, students, and workers. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about the automotive industry and related manufacturing: By 2030, it’s anticipated that the automotive industry will achieve nearly $9 trillion in revenue/sales. In 2020 the US Motor Vehicle and Retail Parts trade revenue was $1.25 trillion The United States produced 8.8 million vehicles in 2020, which is 19% less than in 2019 In 2021, nearly 15 million vehicles were sold across the United States In 2021, the global automotive manufacturing market was more than $2.8 trillion USD As of 2021, the automotive industry manufacturing market in the US was valued at $82.6 billion In 2022, the global automotive manufacturing market is expected to grow to nearly $3 trillion USD In 2022, the current revenue of the car and automotive manufacturing industry is an estimated $100.9 billion USD (ibisworld) In 2022, it is expected that the US Car and Automotive manufacturing industry will increase in growth by nearly 3% (ibisworld) Due to increasing demand, it’s anticipated that 26% of net car sales will be electric vehicles in 2030, with 58 million new self-driving cars hitting roads by the same year according to Statista. An estimated 923,000 US residents work in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing and the average automotive production worker salary in the United States if $31,000 annually The automotive industry employs more than 1.7 million people who are all involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, assembling, and sales/service of motor vehicles Some of the best paid positions in automotive manufacturing include: Automotive Designers, Automotive Engineers, Coordinate Measuring Machine Technicians, Mechanics, Process Engineers, Process Technicians, and Production Supervisors Only 15% of automotive production workers are women, as opposed to 85% which are men; the industry is seeking to improve these statistics and diversify the workforce and promote equal employment opportunities Here’s some great videos that detail the process of manufacturing and assembling vehicles from factory to the consumer: Behind the Scenes at Vodafone and Automotive Manufacturing Tools and Tech UpSkul Explains the Car Manufacturing Process Car Parts Explained by Car Manufacturing Channel on YouTube Inside Lake County Manufacturing New Kia Sportage Production Plant 2022

Today is National Truckers Day!  In the age of lighting-fast shipping, ubiquitous subscription services, and even grocery delivery, today’s Truck Drivers are more valuable than ever; in fact, the industry is expected to grow 21% in the next 10 years as a result!  So let’s take a look at some of the neat fun facts about the trucking industry, and the ways that it’s evolving with our ever-changing world! more The first semi truck was invented in 1898 by Alexander Winton from Cleveland Ohio since he needed a way to transport his cars to buyers many miles away. German-American blacksmith Charles Freuhauf is credited with inventing the first tractor trailer in 1914, devised as a way of conveniently transporting his boat! There are over 15 million trucks in operation today across the United States, and if you lined them up end-to-end they would reach from Earth to the Moon! Truck engines are engineered to drive more than one million miles before they’re retired, which is 800,000 more miles than the average car engine lasts. Talk about efficiency! Since the trucking industry consumes about 50 billion gallons of fuel each year, with the average commercial truck consuming 20,500 gallons of gas annually. As a result, engineers are committed to producing cleaner fuel vehicles such as clean diesel, hybrid, and even electric models, and it’s come a long way already! Operating one diesel truck back in 1988 equates to the clean diesel emissions of sixty of today’s modern trucks, and emissions from large trucks have been cut over 95% in the past two decades. 1 in every 14 jobs in the United States is directly affected by the trucking industry, something we’ve all become heavily aware of during the ongoing Covid19 pandemic. The majority of trucking companies across the US are small business operations from everything like fresh food to medical supplies to livestock to construction supplies. Have you ever ordered groceries online for delivery? Perhaps you have your favorite pantry items on autoship fulfillment? Or maybe you’ve dined out at a restaurant recently? Then you will find it less than surprising that 90% of Americans like you have eaten food that’s been delivered via refrigerated truck! While we’re ordering overnight goods and groceries to our cozy homes, the truckers who deliver them are spending an average of 240 nights away from their homes and families each calendar year. About 60% of Truck Drivers today own pets, and 40% of those drivers take their buddies on the road with them. There are more than 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States, and on average the age of drivers is older than most other professions at 45 to 46 years old.