One million is a heck of a number. Musicians want more than anything to sell a million records because that’s exactly the point at which they reach platinum status. Entrepreneurs want to make a million dollars because that’s exactly the point in which they are allowed to call themselves millionaires. A YouTube video watched by a million people is officially considered viral, a million bucks hauled in at a fundraiser is a pretty significant a haul, and don’t even get me started on what I’d do with a million cookies.

In general, we tend to consider one million of anything a milestone, and Washington state’s Port of Tacoma recently was able to celebrate one such milestone as they checked in their one millionth Kia at the Blair Terminal on August 11, 2011.

We know that in the whole scheme of things that probably seems like small potatoes considering the fact that Kia Motors sold 1.4 million vehicles in 2010 alone, but the Tacoma longshoremen in Washington have worked hard for 16 ½ years to usher in that many automobiles to American soil. That’s a lot of work to help one of the industry’s most promising burgeoning automakers grow to its full potential.

“We congratulate Kia Motors on reaching this milestone at our Port,” said Connie Bacon, the Port of Tacoma’s commission president. “Over the years, the Kia business in Tacoma has meant thousands of longshore hours for our International Longshore Workers Union Local 23 workers who drive the vehicles off the ships, and hundreds of jobs at AWC and throughout our community. We look forward to continuing this long-standing relationship with Kia Motors.”

For the record, the one millionth car just so happened to be a 2011 Optima Hybrid, and Chicago Kia Optima dealers know what a huge boon that particular vehicle has been for the brand. It’s the first hybrid that Gurnee Kia dealerships have been able to offer, and it’s meant a significant jump in sales. That, in turn, means continued work for the good people at the Port of Tacoma, who will probably import their next million Kia vehicles a lot faster this time around.

The Kia Sportage has undergone some incredible changes for the 2011 model year. The brand new 2011 MYSportage will be available at your Gurnee Kia dealer shortly as well as your Kenosha Kia dealer and many others across the country. Not only has the 2011 Kia received an engine upgrade, but the inside and outside of this already popular automobile have been changed to meet the needs of Kia drivers. The Kia Sportage is incredibly affordable and offers everything to keep drivers safe, comfortable, and satisfied while exploring the road.

The subcompact Sportage has been upgraded to a Theta 2.4 liter engine. This engine utilizes Dual CVVT to reach 176 horsepower, which is higher than any other Kia Sportage. The 2011 Kia Sportage is available with either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed automatic transmission. A Kenosha Kia dealer confirms the 2011 Sportage offers a smooth speedy ride at an affordable cost. The Sportage reaches an incredible 31 miles per gallon fuel efficiency.

The Kia Sportage comes with a variety of options to meet the needs of every Kia driver. The LX model comes equipped with an automatic transmission as well as other luxury features ranging from keyless entry to privacy glass and LED turn signals. The Navigation Package is another option for the 2011 Sportage that includes a rear camera to improve efficiency. Also available are packages like the Convenience package featuring heated mirrors and a cooled glove box. Drivers looking for optimal luxury can upgrade to the EX model which has everything from driver seat with lumbar support, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and a ventilated air-cooled driver’s seat.

The incredible range of options for the 2011 Sportage also creates a wide window for price. A local Gurnee Kia dealer believes the variety of price will contribute to the success of the 2011 Kia Sportage. The Sportage starts with a base MRSP of $18,295. The price increases to about $20,295 for the LX model and $23,295 for the EX model and increases with more options. To find out more information about this incredible vehicle, one of the best CUV deals available on the market, visit your local Kia dealership.

However, some things never stop being cool. Green Day, for example, is a band that kids loved in the mid-‘90s and still love today. Music in general is still something that adolescents love, and teens still put a lot of stock in driving what they and their friends would consider a “cool” car. In Gurnee, Kia dealerships are hoping that their parent company’s partnership with the Warped Tour brings more love and attention their way, as kids who go to the huge music festival to see Blink 182, Alkaline Trio, Dropkick Murphys and others will be exposed to Kia promotions that could dramatically enhance their view of the automaker.

The partnership between Kia and Warped Tour starts with the Soul Lounge, which gives concert-goers all sorts of information about the top Kia vehicles, most notably the lounge’s namesake, the Soul. It’s sleek look and personalization options make it a top choice among younger demographics, and that’s why they’re pushing that as the main car in the promotion.

There also will be live DJs spinning records, airbrush tattoo artists, and autograph tables for hot bands like Hey Monday and NeverShoutNever. Also, Kia representatives will be handing out a select few VIP wristbands that allow certain patrons access to a special hi-rise seating area for a bird’s eye view of all the great music being played.

Honestly, all that would’ve been cool when I was in high school, too, and it would’ve been cool for my parents, and their parents as well (though I’m not sure what Warped Tour 1932 would’ve looked like—headlined by Lawrence Welk?). This year’s ticket clearly is a hot Waukegan buy. Used car salesmen in the area are hoping the backlash from the promotion allows for higher sales. That’s Kia’s goal, at least, and it’s a pretty cool one. Pretty cool indeed.

Kia has earned another award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2011 Kia Sorento is following in the footsteps of the Kia Soul and Kia Forte in being recognized as a “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS. The 2011 Kia Sorento was evaluated by the IIHS and earned the best possible rating on frontal, side, rear and rollover safety tests. Gurnee Kia dealers are extremely proud of the prestigious rating given to the 2011 Kia Sorento.

The Kia Sorento is a compact utility vehicle, or a midsize crossover SUV. The Sorento boasts a sleek stylish outside featuring the prominent Kia trademark Tiger nose grille. The Sorento is available with a plethora of features from satellite radio to a stunning interior. An Antioch used cars dealer reports that Kia is an incredible brand that promotes style and safety and the Sorento is no exception.

The IIHS “Top Safety Pick” is an incredible honor and the 2011 Kia Sorento certainly earned it. The 2011 Sorento comes full equipped with the best safety features available. The Sorento has several sets of airbags including driver and passenger advanced front airbags, side curtain and front seat mounted airbags. The Sorento also utilizes four wheel antilock brakes as well as other brake technology ranging from Downhill Brake Control to Hill Start Assist Control to keep passengers safe. Gurnee Kia dealers agree the incredible safety programs included in the Sorento greatly attribute to its new reputation.

The IIHS did not stop honoring Kia with the 2011 Sorento. Kia’s Sedona minivan also earned a few awards this year including the “Top Safety Pick.” The Sedona also earned the “Safest Minivan Ever Tested” award every year from 2006 to 2009. Drivers of used Kia’s from Antioch used cars agree Kia cars are extremely safe and fun to drive. Kia strives to be known not only for incredible automobiles but for safe automobiles and the automaker is certainly on the right track.

The Kia Sorento is just one shining example of a well performing, extremely safe automobile. The automaker boasts a wide array of safe vehicles ranging from cars to SUVs. To find out more information about Kia visit your local Gurnee Kia dealer or visit the automaker’s website.

February was a great month for Kia, as it saw sales increase around 9% versus the same time frame last year.  That is really great news, especially in, let’s say it straight up, a crappy economy.  How many units were sold in Feb (a few included in this figure were sold at your Gurnee Kia dealership):  24,052 to be exact.  The previous record was set in 2007 when 23,512 went to excited drivers.

Why this success for Kia?    The biggest reason is the investment the company has made in the U.S. market.  They opened their first ever US manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia.  This gives area residents a chance for a stable job and brings some notoriety to that community.  The Kia Sorento is the first vehicle manufactured in the Georgia plant.  People are recognizing that Kia is dedicated to making quality, safe, and technologically advanced cars and SUV’s.

I think this is a great time to head to your Kia dealer Gurnee car lot and see why purchasing a Kia has made millions of customers happy.  There are many options to choose from, there’s no doubt you’ll find one that suits you perfectly.  Let’s take a look at the new Sorento!

The 2011 Sorento is a great choice if you are looking for an eye-catching SUV with plenty of cargo room.  The EX model starts out just under $30K and has a V6 3.5 L engine. The base will start your around around $20K. The EX produces 273 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.  Makes for pretty good driving, if I say so myself!   The car-like feel of this SUV is also very nice.  There isn’t cabin noise to deal with and it drives smooth.  The Sorento is available at Gurnee Kia, so check it out today!

Moving to the interior of the Sorento.  It is nice and although it may not be as luxurious as SUV’s made by other car companies, but it does the job!  I enjoy the tilting and telescoping wheel.  A driver who is comfortable and ready makes for safer roadways.  There is also the dual zone climate control and ample safety features throughout.

Kia is where it’s at.  The company is building cars here in the United States, had record February sales, and has great dealerships throughout the country, including your Gurnee Kia store.  Check out the Sorento and other Kia cars now!

The Ray is not the first car by Kia Motors designed to go easier on the environment.  The Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Forte LPI Hybrid, the petrol cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Sorento Hybrid have all set the open road.

This Gurnee Kia PHEV car has a whole new exterior look.  It is very futuristic.  The design is supposed to help the car be more efficient on the highway.  You’ll notice that the car’s design is very clean, without a lot unnecessary edges and ridges.  Furthermore, the back end of the car is higher, which results in less drag.

How does the hybrid technology work in the Ray?  Well, this new Gurnee Kia auto has a lot to offer.   Like other hybrids on the roads, it couples a gasoline direct inject engine and an electric motor.  Also in the engine/motor mix, a driver will find a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).  The engine has 153 HP and is 1.4 L.  Definitely less than other larger SUV’s found at your Kia dealer Gurnee.  But, the auto’s mission is to be friendly to Mother Nature first and foremost!

As we mentioned earlier in this article, the Ray’s design helps it have better aerodynamics and less drag.  The further exemplify this, the headlamps on the car’s front will slide back.  This allows for better air intake.   Upon another glance of the Kia Ray, you’ll notice there are no side mirrors extending from the car!  Where are they?  This PHEV doesn’t have them.  Instead, the auto has motion-detector cameras that allow for safe lane changing and monitoring.

There is so much more for you to find out about the Kia Ray, but hopefully this information gets your wheels turning to do so!  It’s going to be a great hybrid for Kia.