The ATL Automotive Group says it is set to add another world- leading brand to its portfolio when it assumes the exclusive distributorship for Kia at the beginning of next year.

“From March 1, 2018, the ATL Automotive Group will take direct control of the sales and after sales of Kia under a newly created subdivision, ATL Tiger Automotive, operating world-class facilities in Kingston and Montego Bay,” the company said in a news release at the weekend.

“This is an electrifying time for our group. We pride ourselves on the always evolving dynamism of our company, and in Kia we’ll be introducing a world-class brand with the same spirit,” the release quotes ATL Automotive Group CEO Adam Stewart. “Kia not only complements our existing portfolio perfectly, but also produces award-winning cars that suit our country.”

Stewart said the decision to add the brand to the ATL Automotive Group was a simple one. “Kia is one of the world’s largest and most innovative automotive brands, and possesses an incredible product range that is beautifully designed, fuel efficient, big on safety and reliability, and offers arguably the best value for money in the automotive industry,” Stewart said. “Kia has been a part of our group growth strategy for a long, long time, and we’re now looking forward to showing Jamaica the best of it.”

The company explained that customers will be able to pre-order their vehicles immediately for delivery the moment the operation officially opens in March and can choose from a comprehensive range of Kia’s award-winning models, including the micro hatchback, the Picanto; sedans in the four- and five-door Rio and Optima; the subcompact crossover, the Soul; the compact SUV, the Sportage; the mid-size SUV, the Sorento; as well as the mid-size MPV, the Carens.

“In addition to stunning aesthetics, reliability is at the core of the brand’s character,” the news release said. “Kia has ranked the highest in JD Power’s Initial Quality study for two straight years and yet still continues to perfect itself.”

The company said that the Kia Kingston sales and service operation will be located at the showroom currently used by Volkswagen at ATL Automotive’s main facility at Oxford Road. In Montego Bay, Kia will simultaneously open at a brand new showroom within the Fairview complex, with servicing taking place at the ATL Automotive Group’s state-of-the-art Service Centre at Bogue, less than a mile away.

“Volkswagen Kingston will boast a brand new custom-built showroom within the company’s marquee Oxford Road property and will be housed in a temporary sales or service facility at Oxford Road until the new showroom opens in 2018,” the company added.