Kia Triumphs with Two Prestigious Awards at MEMA 2011

The 2011 Kia Optima and Sportage both earned the “Best in Class” title at the official awards ceremony for the Middle East Motor Awards. The Optima was victorious in the mid-size sedan category, while the Sportage won in the compact, 4-wheel drive SUV category. The event was held at the Sharjah Expo Center, with the awards announced on November 3^rd.

The nomination and judging process for the competition took place over the course of eight months, during which time each member of a select judging committee recorded their evaluations for each nominated vehicle. The standards judged in the evaluation ranged from the technical specifications, fuel consumption, and safety futures to the interior and exterior aesthetic qualities, driving performance, and value for the price. The Kia Optima beat out the Volkswagen Jetta and Peugeot 508 in the final stage of the competition, while the Kia Sportage overcame challenges from the Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson.

“We are impressed with the accolades received by Kia vehicles in competitions around the world,” commented Samer Tayeh, the President of the National Arab Motors (Kia Jordan),“Seeing two Kia models - the Optima and Sportage – both receive Best in Class awards at the Middle East Motor Awards is great news for us. This achievement reflects the bold design changes by Kia Motors which have been noted by automotive experts and consumers alike. This was certainly the case at the Middle East Motor Awards, where Kia vehicles were recognized by an impressive judging committee.”

The 19 member judging committee for the competition was made up of automotive experts, journalists, engineers, and other qualified professionals from 10 Arab countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The latest Kia Optima has been fully redesigned for 2011, standing out on the road thanks to its distinctive styling and upscale interior. The Kia Sportage is characterized by a striking, European-inspired exterior design, and an eye-pleasing interior, putting it at the top of the crossover category. Kia always strives excellence as it produces new vehicles that join power and reliability with quality and comfort for its drivers.