The Kia brand has a rich history and an exciting evolution in its logo. Many people think the Kia logo reads "KN." However, that's not quite right. Read more about what the KN brand is and about the history of Kia.
What is the KN Brand?
The KN brand is a misunderstanding related to the Kia brand logo. Some people mistakenly see the logo as the letters "KN" merged together. However, the logo is actually an italicized version of "Kia." It's just missing the dash for the "A." Because of this inaccurate interpretation, many people end up searching for the "KN brand" when they're really looking for Kia! If you're one of these people, don't worry about it. It's a common misunderstanding that we hope to smooth out by informing our patrons more about the history of the Kia brand and logo!
History of the Kia Brand
The Kia brand was founded in May of 1944 in Korea. It is actually the country's oldest and second-largest manufacturer. Kia has been around so long for a reason. What started as a manufacturer of bicycle parts has grown into a global corporation churning out millions of vehicles every year. This company now has affiliates in America, Canada, Europe, Mexico, India, and Pakistan. The company's philosophy revolves around building a new future by thinking creatively and facing challenges head-on. For almost 80 years, Kia has been crafting efficient, reliable vehicles fit for various lifestyles and transporting the general population into a brighter future full of innovation. Our core values include putting our customers first, embracing every challenge, communicating and collaborating, respecting the individual, and celebrating globality and diversity. Kia has worked hard to cultivate a brand that appeals to a worldwide audience while putting the individual customer first.
Kia Brand Logo History
The recent confusion about the Kia logo has been spurred by the design change that came in 2021 when Kia started using its new logo, the one mistaken for "KN." The Kia logo has undergone a few changes throughout the years. Its original logo consisted of three diamonds overlapped by a gear surrounding a hexagon with "KIA" spelled out in the middle. In 1964, the "Q" logo was implemented. This logo was green and looked like an upside-down "Q." The logo started becoming more recognizable in 1986 when it transformed into a bold "Kia" with a blue flag-like wave above the word. Its 1994 logo is the most familiar of the bunch and was used for the longest stretch. You'll know it as the word "Kia" surrounded by an oval, all in red. The most recent version of the Kia logo is the one mistaken for the letters "KN." The new italicized version of "Kia" is more fluid and rhythmic and fits Kia's new slogan: Movement that inspires. Hopefully, that clears a few things up! Just remember, the "KN brand" is Kia!
