2012 Kia Superbowl Ad

We received some excellent customer reviews over the weekend! Kudos to the entire Executive team!

Sreyes84 
Jan 27, 2013
Overall Score: 5

Best car buying experience I've ever had. Everything that was promised was delivered. I would definitely buy from here again!! Chin you are the best!!!!

 

 

Read all of the reviews on our DealerRater page.

Kia Goes from Rock to Babies for This Year’s Big Game Ad

The Big Game is just one week away, and of course, the commercials are starting to be revealed. Kia is showing a 15-second sneak preview of the full 1-minute ad that will air during the game. The theme of this year’s ad is the eternal question asked by children, “Where do babies come from?” Kia’s answer comes from the distant land of Babylandia, populated by babies of all species, which make their way to earth to join their new families.

Kia’s ads during last year’s big game featured the Optima SX Limited, set to the rockin’ soundtrack of Mötley Crüe and and overdose of Mr. Sandman’s dream dust. How Kia’s products will specifically be showcased in this year’s ad is yet to be seen, but this year’s star promises to be the 2014 Sorento SUV, which received a comprehensive redesign for the new model year, and a more advanced UVO system.

Source: Motor Trend

Top 11 Important Car Seat Safety Tips for Toddlers

 

I say with fair confidence that the majority, if not all of us, reading this blog post use car seats for our toddlers.  According to carseatsafety.org, “Kids should be in a carseat or booster until they can be seated properly in a seat belt.  For most kids, this is around 8-12 years old or 4′ 9″ tall, but proper seatbelt fit is the most important factor.”

So we all use car seats to keep our kiddos protected in the event of a crash, but it’s important to be sure that you are using the car seat correctly.  I gathered information from my own experience, but mostly from Car-Safety.org and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  They’re the experts!

Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way. – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

A confession:  For months, well on into Harrison’s second year of life, I thought I was strapping him in correctly.  But then with the help of a few friends, I learned that I wasn’t.  His chest strap was too low, he had extras in the car seat, etc.  Which meant that Harrison wasn’t as safe as he could be.  I’m not a helicopter parent and I’m not a fear-mongerer, but I do believe strongly in following basic, easy safety guidelines when it comes to my kid staying alive.  So I’d like to be that friend for you and give you tips to help make sure you are using the right seat, the right position, and the right technique for strapping down your most precious cargo:

Rear-facing is safest
Rear-facing helps spread the impact of a crash throughout the chest and body, rather than taking it all in the neck and head, which is better for immature spines and large heads (like tots!). It used to be a rule that you could turn your child forward at 20 lbs or 1 years old, but now The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be kept in rear-facing seats for at least 2 years (preferably until they outgrow the car seats rear-facing capabilities).

No coats! No coats! No coats!
Look, I know it's cold in the winter, especially for you up North. But it is not safe to buckle the car seat over the coat. Options? Put the coat on backwards over the straps. Use a blanket. Preheat the car.

It should not shake more than 1 inch each way
To be sure your seat is in correctly and tightly latched to the car, the seat should not move more than one inch in each direction. If it can, then tighten the tethers.

Know your strap slot height
Rear-facing: Straps below or at shoulder level. Forward-facing: Straps above or at shoulder level. Tip: Buy a carseat that is easy to adjust the straps so that you don't find excuses not to make adjustments as the kid grows.
 
The chest clip should be at armpit level
If it's down by the belly, it's wrong.
 
If it's been in a crash, throw it away
If your seat is in a crash, then destroy it immediately and contact your insurance company; your plan should cover the cost of the new seat. This is an excellent argument for not buying used unless you know with 100% certainty that the seat was never, ever in a crash or even a fender bender. (and in MANY states and provinces, it's become illegal to sell or purchase a used car seat. BE SURE you check with your local laws.)
 
The straps should be snug
Sometimes Harry complains that his are "too tight!" but I just say, "Sorry, bud." The straps should be snug enough that you cannot pinch any strap between your fingers.
 
Check the expiration date.
Did you know that ALL car seats expire? The protections wear down with age in the heat of a car. Check the expiration date on your seat and toss it out if it's over.
 
Use the belt or LATCH system, but not both
This is one time where doubling up does not equal better protection. Which system works best depends on your car, seat position, etc. Also, be sure to use the top tether when forward-facing.
 
Don't add any extras
No extra pillows or toys attached to the seat. For example, a neck pillow bought separate from the car seat can become lodged in a position where the car seat cannot function properly to protect the child's neck and spine.
 
Have it inspected
Most local hospitals and fire stations have car seat inspectors on site. Call ahead to make an appointment.

Source: Babble

More Room in a Spacious Car Interior - 2013 Kia Optima

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Visit our website to schedule your service appointment!

Who Was That Masked Kia?

What should a masked superhero drive on the way to dispensing vigilante justice? Comic book fans probably don’t see their heroes racing to the scene in a Kia, but that isn’t keeping the automaker from making a play for the caped-crusader market.

The Kia display at the Detroit auto show includes a Batman-themed Optima with a full blackout treatment, including the 20-inch wheels. Lest the car blend in with urban traffic, the grille is not only bat-shaped, there’s a bat logo in the middle. Giant black bats, outlined in yellow, adorn the car’s sides, and the brake calipers are brilliant yellow as well. The car has also been lowered — does Batman have a fear of heights? — and a body kit gives it an aggressive stance. The interior is done in black leather and suede with yellow accent stitching.

The other heromobile at the display is a Green Lantern-themed Kia Soul with a green-and-black paint scheme, a motif that extends to the interior. The wheels, also green and black, wear the character’s lantern logo. Exhaust ports are set into the rear bumper.

The Justice League-styled Kias were made in collaboration with DC Comics to raise awareness for its “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, a relief effort to combat hunger in the Horn of Africa.

Source: New York Times

2013 Kia Optima Named 'International Car Of The Year'

Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce that Road & Travel Magazine has named the 2013 Kia Optima as the International Car of the Year at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.  Completely redesigned for the 2011 model year, the Optima's stunning design combined with modern amenities and impressive value propelled the mid-size sedan to becoming the top-selling Kia vehicle in 2012.

"We are thrilled that our best-selling Optima has earned the distinction of being named International Car of the Year by Road & Travel Magazine, further elevating its status in the midsize segment," said Michael Sprague , executive vice president of marketing and communications, KMA.  "The Optima continues to attract new customers to the Kia brand by offering an impressive combination of design, performance, comfort and technology.  All of this while still maintaining Kia's unmatched value proposition."

Road & Travel Magazine gives 10 ICOTY awards to new or existing model year vehicles with significant and/or impressive improvements.  These awards are based on the emotional connection between the consumer and vehicle.  The winners are chosen by the ICOTY jury, which consists of nationally renowned automotive journalists from respected publications such as MSN Autos, Car and Driver and Consumer Guide^® Automotive.

"The Kia Optima rose to the top of the list as the most emotionally compelling vehicle above all others," said Courtney Caldwell , Road and Travel Magazine's Editor-in-Chief.  "Its functional yet sleek design as well as advanced features intertwines effortlessly with consumer lifestyles on many levels, qualities we look for when considering contenders for the ICOTY awards."

In addition to this prestigious accolade, the Optima has earned a number of awards including being named the 2012 "Best New Car Value" award from Kiplinger's Personal Finance, "Sedan of the Year" by Autobytel.com, one of the "Top Drives for 2012" by the Boston Globe and a "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest.

SOURCE Kia Motors America

We just received these four great reviews on DealerRater!

 
fransignore

Jan 13, 2013
Overall Score:   5
"When I went into Executive Kia I was greeted by friendly staff. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to buy the car I was looking for. Joe Ortiz and Todd Perry did everything they could to work with me to make it possible to get the car I wanted. They were friendly ,informative, and mainly not pushy. By the next morning they had found the car I wanted. They worked diligently to make the financing work for me. I am now driving my 2013 Kia Sorento and I LOVE it! MANY THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL STAFF AT EXECUTIVE KIA OF WALLINGFORD."

jiuteri 

Jan 13, 2013
Overall Score: 5
"Amazing and very easy to work with. I hope more people ask for Larry he helped me find the best car for an amazing price. Knows his stuff and worked with me to help as much as he can."

tomk17 

Jan 11, 2013
Overall Score:   5 

"I went in for a test drive with no intention of buying today and I had received a low sales price and and excellent trade-in price; plus rebates. I picked up the car in less than 24 hours. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Thank you."

Samuel J. 
Jan 11, 2013
Overall Score:  5
"On 10-03-2012 I purchased a 2007 Mazda CX7 Grand Touring from Executive Kia. A few weeks earlier I stopped by and was greeted by Mr. Jeremy Carroll. He was very helpful and MOST OF ALL not pushy and that is a Great asset in the car buisness!!!!!!!!!!1 There for I came back and gave my buieness to Executive Kia! I am very pleased with the staff there! They make you feel like a part of the family. I have been in a few times with issues And Jeremy who is now in the Service dpt, along with the Service staff was always very truthful and helpful. I am useualy in and out with very minaml time spent waiting. Jeremy and the entire Staff at Executive Kia are a CUT ABOVE THE REST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I will and have recemended this dealership to all my friends and family!!!!!!!!!!!"

Read more of our customer feedback on DealerRater!

Check Out this 5-Star Rating on DealerRater!

"Excellent dealership. New and clean. Friendly sales staff. Prompt service. The service was thorough and reasonable. I will recommend this dealer to friends and family."

Be sure to check out all our reviews on the DealerRater site!

We've received two 5-star reviews on DealerRater!

wwwkman

Jan 07, 2013

 

Overall Score:  5

Always good service. On time, priced right and never takes too long. I am always very happy. Would recommend to anyone. Good dealership and service center.

Bob Moran

Jan 07, 2013

 

Overall Score:  4.8

Overall a very good experience. Made a 1:30pm appointment at 10:00am that same morning. Wasn't expecting to be able to get in until the next day at the earliest so A+ on working around MY schedule. Wait time ran a little longer.. was told 45 - 60 mins, actually took about 95 mins. Not a big deal if I wasn't due back to work. Other than that, no complaints. Waiting area was clean. Free coffee and cable TV to watch.. comfortable chairs too! Saw my salesman Joe Ortiz who was friendly as always. Good crew there in Wallingford.

We are starting the new year off right with these excellent customer reviews!

DeAnn.Sinatra

Jan 02, 2013

Overall Score: 5

Today I bought my second Sorento in the last seven years! A few months ago I started looking at different cars to see what I wanted, even though I really loved my Sorento, I wanted to keep all my options open. Then I stopped by Wallingford KIA and met Chin Chang! Chin listened to what I was looking for and in two minutes showed me the Titanium Sorento, I knew it was the car I wanted. Today I went back and bought it! Chin is a wonderful and kind person, very patient and knowledgable about every question I asked regarding my new car, he even remembered exactly what car I liked and why! I will definately tell everyone I know what a great experience I had again with KIA, and right down to the paperwork with Gavin, which was a smooth and easy paper process. Thank you Chin and Gavin, I love my new KIA Sorento!!!

kj100 Dec 31, 2012

Overall Score: 5

They were very polite and descriptive with the service. Besides the oil change, they did address another car issue I had. Overall the service was great.

Read more of our great customer reviews on DealerRater!