What’s the Korean word for Relevant? Is it Kia?

Have you ever been curious about the origin of car company names? Ford Motor Company is pretty obvious, named after founder, Henry Ford. How about Chevrolet? It's also named after founder, Louis-Joseph Chevrolet. Hyundai originates from the Korean word hanja meaning "modernity" while Volkswagen means "people's car" in German.

What about Kia Motors? Their website says Kia means "arise from Asia," but I'll submit Kia could also translate into "hip and relevant." Kia is one of the fastest growing automakers in the world in no small part to its savvy advertising that's fun and entertaining, hip and relevant.

Take a look at the Kia Soul -- an urban crossover with a fresh style but appears smaller than its competitors. How does Kia market this vehicle? Hamsters! Hamsters with a fresh style all their own demonstrating the Soul's ample passenger space. And in this newest spot, the vehicle is featured on stage in an opera house (with a Hamster DJ), emphasizing the Soul is made to break a few rules. And the vehicle looks stunning on stage, by the way, as it shimmers with a gorgeous 'Clear White' exterior.

In My Mind - 2013 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial

In the crowded mid-sized sedan market is the Kia Optima, a sleekly-styled vehicle with a sweet price point and UVO - a voice activated entertainment system. Blake Griffin, power forward with the Los Angeles Clippers, stars in a series of clips where he voice activates the vehicle into time travel. These spots are more groovy than commercial even though Griffin nonchalantly mentions key features of the Optima like heated / cooled seats and fold-out side mirrors.

2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1997 Football

A crossover vehicle that's family-friendly and fun to drive on daily adventures, the Kia Sorento is featured in a series of commercials - the first originally airing during the Super Bowl in 2010. One of the spots titled "Joyride Dream," stars children's toys Sock Monkey, Muno (from Yo Gabba Gabba), Mr. X, Robot and Teddy Bear as they enjoy the Sorento with an upbeat theme song "How Do You Like Me Now?" by the Heavy. Hip and relevant, this commercial appeared in many "Best Commercials of the Superbowl" lists. These spots resonate with family-focused consumers who appreciate a do-it-all vehicle that makes even mundane errands exciting.

Yo Gabba Gabba Sorento Commercial

Are these commercials the single key to Kia's success? Of course not. Kia makes a darn good product evidenced by high quality rankings from J.D. Power & Associates and Consumer Reports. Kia vehicles are fuel efficient and have superior safety performance. Kia is actively involved in business partnerships and is community minded. Thanks to the highly creative advertising agency, David&Goliath from El Segundo, California, more and more consumers are experiencing the Kia brand - a brand ripe with hip and relevant messaging.