When it comes to businesses that are working with literally millions and millions of dollars in revenue, the idea of an “increase in sales” can actually be pretty impressive without looking like much percentage wise. Let’s say, for example, that your company manufactured half a million cars from January to June last year. Sold at an average of $20,000 a pop, you’re looking at $10 billion in sales. A one percent increase in sales means a bump of about $100 million—a number so big that the average American can’t even begin to comprehend it.

Taking all that into consideration, try to wrap your heads around the fact that in the second quarter of 2011, Kia saw a 21% increase in sales globally.

Um, yeah. Pretty impressive.

Now understand that it’s not like Kia all of a sudden has $100 million multiplied by 21 just laying around. There’s overhead to consider—cost of materials, cost of labor, cost of advertising—but sales are how you do make money, and it seems like right now, every Kia dealer Libertyville has to offer is pulling in that money hand over fist.

In fact, strong U.S. sales are a huge reason that Kia saw such incredible success in the first half of the year. During that same second quarter, Kia bumped sales in the U.S. 36%, which translated to a 67% rise in profits, just from American consumers.

The second half of the year may be a little more challenging, as some of the normal heavy hitters based in Japan get back to full production as the country recovers from March’s earthquake, but so far the strong showing this year has been a beautiful thing in the eyes of the Kia dealer. Gurnee drivers have been no exception; they seem to love Kias lately, too. But, like we said earlier, the big sales have been a global thing.

You love to see sales increase because that means your company is doing something right, but when you’re selling this many more cars than you were a year ago, you’ve got to really be doing something really, really right. That’s what we’re going to go ahead and assume Kia is doing.

Not that we’re biased or anything.

When you’re stuck driving in snowy/icy conditions the middle of January you probably can’t wait until the transportation trucks lay down some salt to alleviate the slickness.  Now it’s May and the pot holes you hit several times throughout the day are not only annoying, but might be causing your Kia damage. 

Potholes are the result of the cooling down and heating up of the pavement between the changes in temperature that results with the change of seasons.  This results in the roadways expanding and contracting to the point where the asphalt pulls away from each other, creating the holes that might make you cringe when your Libertyville Kia Sorento has to pass over them!

Adding to the pothole issue is the use of salt.  The makeup of the road salt seems to contribute to the pot holes.  It’s a catch-22 for roadway crews, as there is no other substance that melts the snow and ice as adequately as the salt we currently use.

Hitting Potholes?…What happens now?

If you’ve fallen victim to many potholes over time, you might be worried about damage to your car.  There are a few things you can look for.

1. If your vehicle seems to take hitting a bump pretty hard, this could be a result of bad shocks, struts, or broken strings.  Repairs and replacement for any or all of these will depend on many factors such as suspension type, corrosion/rust on springs, and more.
2. The vehicle starts to shake or vibrate when you speed up.  In this case, a few parts could need service or replacement such as a drive shaft that is bent, a CV joint that is worn out, or transmission that is need of aid from a properly trained mechanic.  Transmission replacement or service will be the most costly of the three mentioned.
3. If the wheel shakes when you drive, you might need the service staff at your Gurnee Kia dealer to perform wheel balancing, or check and see if a connection in the steering system has gone bad.

Please talk to us here at Classic Kia if you feel your car has been affected by the pothole season!

There are plethora of items you should have access to if you get involved in an auto-related emergency, here is a sampling:

• Cell Phone and Charger- Keep it available and charged in case you have to call 911 or roadside assistance for help in the event of an accident, flat tire, or other auto trouble.  If you are in a remote area you may need to step outside your car and move around a bit, if you can safely do so, to pick up a good signal.
• Jumper cables-  These are only good if you have a second car to hook them up to….If not, a portable battery booster eliminates the necessity of another car.
• Tire Gauge and Spare Tire- The gauge is needed to make sure your tires’ pressure is where it should be.  Having a spare tire and the knowledge to change it is vital if you unfortunately endure a flat while traveling.
• First Aid kit- keep some band-aids, gauze strips, and other items you might need to treat a cut, scrape, burn or other injury.  Many stores sell mini first aid kits that would be perfect to keep in autos purchased from your Gurnee Kia dealer.
• Flashlight- If you have car trouble at night, this will feel like a lifesaver helping troubleshoot the problem.  Extra batteries are also a good idea.
• $20 in small bills and change- For assorted expenses that might come up.  Think how nice a hot cup of coffee and snack will be while waiting for a tow truck to pick you up at the nearest service station. 

Other items should also be kept in your vehicle such as extra non-perishable snacks, clothing, blankets, bottled water and much more.  Feel free to weigh-in on the things you keep in your auto to cover emergencies!

Families searching for the perfect auto are looking for vehicles that offer everything from safety features to plenty of cup holders for sippys and bottles.  One vehicle found at your Kia dealer Gurnee is rapidly becoming a top choice for young families across the nation.  The Kia Soul is proving to be a very kid-friendly auto.

Most parents out there are familiar with the popular parenting magazine, Parents. They recently teamed up with Edmunds. com to compile a list of autos that are great options for families.  The cars, SUV’s, hatchbacks, etc that were chosen all had to come equipped with antilock brakes and front, side, and side-curtain air bags.  In addition to those necessary safety features, the autos chosen offer other amenities that parents and guardians find convenient when traveling with their kids!

The Kia Soul, found at your pre owned car Waukegan Kia store, has a feature that I find a necessity, from a parent’s standpoint.  It’s taller, boxy shape will help reduce the chances of bumping your head while strapping a toddler into their seat.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that on my current sedan since my son transitioned to a front facing seat a year ago!

The Kia Soul also has other features that are handy.  For example, the price is an attractive amount.  The base begins around $13K and the top Sport model tops around $18K.  The gas mileage is really good, saving you less time and money at the pump.  City driving is 26 mpg and highway 31 mpg.  I can take that, for sure!

Going back to safety features, we know it comes with antilock brakes, and plenty of air bags, but it’s also been tested for other things.  For example, it received 5/5 stars for Passenger, Driver, and Side Impact Front crash test results.  This means that in the event of impact in any of these spots, the Soul has more than adequate protection.  Every parent likes to know that what they’re driving their child(ren) around in is safe!

Head to your Kia dealer Gurnee today and see if the Soul is right for you.  If not, they’ll be able to show you many other pre owned car Waukegan models that are also very safe and reliable for you to travel with your precious cargo!

The new Kia Optima debuted at this year’s New York Auto Show and has already created an incredible buzz. This new take on an already popular model is a sleeker more modern design created by Kia design chief Peter Schreyer. The new Optima also incorporates the new popular features favored by Kia which are “longer, wider, and lower.” Local Kia dealers, like Gurnee used cars in Illinois, are excited to see this updated design in their showrooms.

Recently, Kia has released several models with common features. One of these new features designed by Kia is the Tiger Nose grille. This sharp edgy grille is included on the newest models of the Kia Forte, Kia Sorento, Kia Sportage, and now the new Kia Optima. The new Kia Optima also has a longer wheelbase which will provide more space and contribute to the “longer” goal Kia wants to attain. Also, SX models have a rear spoiler and a panoramic moonroof which add to the sleek new look of the Optima.

Along with an attractive exterior, the Kia Optima also has incredible safety features. These advanced features include ESC and ABS brakes and a Microsoft backup camera. The Optima also offers its riders options of Satellite Radio, a cooled glove box, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and cooling front seats. The Kia dealer, Gurnee Illinois residents confess, is the best place to find a quality automobile and the new Kia Optima will be another great reason to purchase a car there.

Since the new Kia Optima debuted just this month details are still difficult to completely nail down. It is currently speculated the new Optima will feature either a 2.4 liter 200hp engine or a 2.0 L Turbo 274hp engine. It is available in either a 6 speed automatic or 6 speed manual transmissions. Kia dealers in Gurnee believe the new Optima will be an incredible success due to its new modern look and incredible interior and exterior features.

Kia strives to produce quality automobiles and is doing just that with the new Kia Optima. To find out more about any Kia automobile including the Kia Optima visit your local Gurnee used car Kia dealer.

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!

This exciting new model will replace the Optima here in the US and a few other markets.  It truly is a beautiful looking sedan, with  “long and lean” styling.  The roof-line is sloped and flows elegantly into the rear trunk space.  Compared to other Gurnee used cars, it is longer, wider, and will be a bit lower.  As a result of these characteristics, there will be more cargo and passenger space.  These are never a bad thing when you own a car!

The Magentis ( I love the name) is scheduled to arrive at your Kia dealer Gurnee in the fall of 2010.  Powertrain wise, it is said to be the same as the 2011 Sonata.  It will come in a choice of four or six cylinders.  If you opt for the four, you’ll find a 2.4-liter with 200 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque.  The 6-cylinder engine will have more of a punch that the current engine found in the Sonata, which gives 249 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.  Sounds like this mid-size sedan will get around very well.

As you’d probably expect, Kia also plans to develop a Magentis hybrid.  Specific details of this are not out, but there will a Magentis hybrid concept on display at New York’s auto show.  Sources say the hybrid version will start being manufactured in December 2010, then going on sale at your Kia dealer Gurnee sometime in 2011.

Since this sedan is being unveiled in April, there will be plenty more to say about it the closer it gets to being on sale this fall.  If you are craving a Kia right now, your local dealer has many Kia Gurnee used cars and new Kia models waiting for you!

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.

The new Sportage takes after a few other Kia autos, such as the Soul, Cadenza, and Sorento.  It does have some design specifics seen in other European vehicles.  Also, the Sorento shares it’s shape with the new Hyundai Tucson.

Engine wise several engines may be available.  Keep in mind that nothing has been set in stone yet, as they’re still developing the models that will be sold at your Round Lake used cars dealer.  The gasoline engines will use the gasoline direct injected concept that Kia-Hyundai has developed.  One option is a 1.6 L that offers 140 HP and another that gives 2.0 L and 166 HP.

The design of the crossover is very nice.  It is longer and lower than other Round Lake used cars Sorento models.   The 2011 model will also have a wider shape, offering driver and passengers alike more cargo and body space.   Makes for a happier traveling crew for sure!

Another feature on the Sportage that’s really cool is the hexagonal shape that is part of the body on both the front and rear left and right side doors.   Check out the picture and see what you think?  I also like the rear bumper.  It’s got a clean and “higher than the front” look.  Overall, this crossover is one beauty!

The 2011 Sportage will be at your Kia dealer Gurnee later this year!  It will hopefully be a great money maker for Kia.  If you’ll be in the market for a new vehicle, keep this one in mind!