Kia Canada Inc. continues as official automotive partner of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour's Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal

• Kia Canada continues as official automotive partner for fourth consecutive year
  
• Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec takes place on September 13, 2013
  
• Grand Prix Cycliste de Montéal takes place on September 15, 2013

MONTRÉAL, June 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Kia Canada Inc. announced today that they will continue their official automotive partnership with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal of the 2013 (Union Cycliste Internationale) UCI WorldTour circuit for the fourth consecutive year. With the partnership, Kia Canada will supply the use of 81 vehicles as active support throughout the two elite cycling events, further signifying the strong partnership between the two brands.

"Kia Canada is excited to partner with the 2013 UCI WorldTour Canadian events for a fourth consecutive year, as sports remain a significant part of the Kia brand DNA, both in Canada and globally," said Robert Staffieri, Director of Marketing, Kia Canada Inc. "Kia is proud to support this world-class event with our redesigned vehicle lineup, including the all-new technologically-advanced 2014 Forte sedan and all-new multifunctional 2014 Rondo Urban Utility Vehicle."

As the official automotive partner of the 2013 UCI WorldTour events of Québec and Montréal, Kia will supply vehicles from its wide-ranging product line-up to all 19 ProTeams, one UCI Pro Continental Team as well as a national team invited to the event. Kia will actively assist with event logistics, media, and VIP transportation. Kia will provide a total of 81 vehicles from their world-class product line-up, including: the all-new European-inspired design 2014 Forte sedan, all-new red dot design award winning 2014 Rondo Urban Utility Vehicle (UUV), the award-winning Optima mid-size sedan, the Soul urban crossover vehicle and the Sedona minivan.

During the 2013 event, there will be 28 road races bearing the official UCI WorldTour label. Teams that have been awarded the ProTeam label are required to compete in each event. There are two events held in North America: the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. These two events on the UCI WorldTour Circuit bring the world's most elite cyclists along with their support staff to Quebec City on September 13th, 2013, and Montreal on September 15th, 2013 - more than 400 people in all and will contribute to promoting Kia's world-wide participation in cycling.

About Kia Canada Inc.:
Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca - www.facebook.com/kiacanada) a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 181 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 162 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, with an all-new state-of-the-art facility to open in Montreal shortly. Kia's brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

About Les Grands Prix Cyclistes Québec - Montréal:
In 2009, the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec-Montréal (GPCQM) organization was granted the first and only two UCI WorldTour licences for races in North America. The organization has been responsible for planning and putting on these world-class cycling races in Québec City and Montréal since 2010. Please visit the website www.gpcqm.ca for more details on these races at the premier level of world cycling. The GPCQM organization would like to highlight the contribution of the following partners: the Government of Canada, the Government of Québec, the City of Québec, the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Québecor, Kia Canada Inc. and Air Transat.

SOURCE: KIA Canada Inc.

For further information:

Jack Sulymka   T: 905.755.6266
National PR and Corporate Partnerships Manager C: 905.301.6207
Kia Canada Inc.   E: [email protected]

Daniel Ponzini   T: 905.755.6415
Public Relations and Events Coordinator   C: 647.462.8986
Kia Canada Inc.   E: [email protected]