Azernews.Az

Kia Motors, South Korea`s second largest car maker, has announced it will offer three types of its new Cee`d model to Azerbaijani consumers. The vehicles - Cee`d, Pro-Cee`d and Cee`d Sport Wagon - are supplied with the world`s latest technology and most advanced quality control systems.
Ilaha Taghiyeva, Marketing and Advertising Manager for Kia Motors Azerbaijan, the company`s official distributor in Azerbaijan, said during a presentation ceremony on Friday that Cee`d is the top selling vehicle in Europe and expressed hope that it would be just as popular in the domestic market.
She added that the Kia Cee`d, which has been manufactured in Slovakia since 2006, is said to derive its name from the Community of Europe and European Design.
Faig Safarov, the president of Kia Motors Azerbaijan, emphasized that for the first time purchasing this Kia model allows buyers to receive a seven-year, or 150,000 km warranty, the longest one available on any car in Europe.
He said that given how the global economic crisis will affect Azerbaijan, Kia Motors is selling autos to local consumers on credit with lucrative terms.
"The loans are provided for five years, with 20% initial payment and 19% annual interest rate. This is currently the most realistic and lucrative offer in the country."
According to Safarov, the volume of sales by Kia Motors, which entered Azerbaijan`s auto market in 2006, has increased each year. The company`s sales nearly quadrupled in 2008 compared to the previous year.
Outlining future goals, Safarov said, "The aim of Kia Motors Azerbaijan for 2009 is to take over leadership in Azerbaijan`s auto market."
Presently, Kia operates six sales locations in the capital Baku, two in Ganja, Azerbaijan`s second largest city, and one dealership each in the Goranboy, Masally and Imishli districts. Three more such dealerships- in Baku, Shaki and Sumgayit - are due to open within days. Overall, the company plans to open auto dealerships and service centers throughout the Azerbaijani regions.
So far, Kia Motors offers 13 models in Azerbaijan including Opirus, Sorento, Mohave, Rio, Picanto, Sportage, Soul and Optima. Next year it will begin manufacturing the environmentally friendly eco-Cee`d model.
Kia is also the first company in the country`s auto industry sponsoring television contests and presenting cars as gifts to their winners.
Kia Motors Corporation was founded in 1944 and is Korea`s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia seeks to become one of the world`s premier automotive brands.
More than 1.4 million Kia vehicles per year are produced in 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries, which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers in 172 countries. Today Kia has over 40,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of almost $17 billion.