Founding
The origins of Kia Motors dates back to 1944 when Kyungsung Precision Industry was founded in South Korea. Originally, the company produced steel tubing and bicycle parts and eventually made Korea's first domestic bicycle in 1951. Kyungsung Industry changed its name to Kia Industries in 1952.
In 1957, it started producing Honda-licensed motorcycles, then Mazda-licensed truck in 1962, and Mazda-licensed cars in 1974. Kia continued to expand its lineup until 1981, when the military dictator Chun Doo-Hwan forced industry consolidation.