Tag: kia

Employee Spotlight: Mike Barber – Finance Manager

This month we sit down with one of our Buick/Kia finance managers, Mike Barber.  Mike has been with the company for over 2 years now but he has been an honorary member of the VanDevere family for as long as he can remember.   We sat down with Mike and asked him our normal questions, let’s get to know Mike.

VanDevere: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today! Let’s jump right in.  What is the best thing about your job?

Mike B.: The best thing is getting to help people protect their investment and understand a process that can be scary and confusing for a lot of people.

VanDevere: Helping people is something we hear a often when doing these spotlights.  That is a great feeling.  What is the best thing about VanDevere?

MB: The culture and the atmosphere for sure! VanDevere values doing the right thing above everything else, whether it’s with their customers or employees.   We are rooted in faith and integrity and aren’t afraid to have fun in everything we do!

VanDevere: No wonder the company has been around for 76 years! What 3 words would you use to describe VanDevere?

MB: Honorable, exciting, family-oriented

VanDevere:  Those are great words, we hear the family one a lot from our employees.   Now on to some fun stuff.  What do you like to do when not at work?

MB: I enjoy spending time with my wife and two boys, be adventurous and play games.

VanDevere: That sounds like a fun time, I am sure that they keep you busy. What inspires you?

MB: My dad!  He is one of the hardest workers I know.  He has been through a lot in his life.  His perseverance and dedication to God and Family is something I will always admire.

VanDevere: That is wonderful. Not only is he a great role model for you but for your boys as well.   Fill in the blank: I once met ___________!

MB: I once met one of the Property Brothers.   Well I didn’t really meet him but I saw him in LAX airport.   And I’m not sure which one it was because they are twins, but it was still cool!

VanDevere:  Ha, that is fun.   We wouldn’t know which one it was either.  If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

MB: I’d have to say super-speed because I could go anywhere in the world for a day and nobody could beat me in a race!

VanDevere: Yes, we would like, too.   We would love to travel.   Speaking of travel, what is your favorite travel spot?

MB: The beach!! Any beach. Can’t beat drinks, sand and sunshine!

VanDevere: We can’t agree more!  What is your favorite place to eat?

MB: The Cheesecake Factory.  It makes me feel fancier than I am and focus is more on the dessert than the entrée.

VanDevere:  Dessert is always a good thing!  Last question, since we deal in cars…. What is your dream car?

MB:  For my daily driver, an Audi A8. For show/fun, the Batmobile from The Dark Knight.

VanDevere:  Batmobile for sure! Thank you for taking the time and letting us get to know you!

All New Kia Sportage

From: https://www.kianewscenter.com/news/all/kia-presents-all-new-sportage–the-ultimate-urban-suv/s/f15fcd09-e75a-4454-a1da-1c54b5e37189

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage has been carefully crafted from the ground-up to be the ultimate urban SUV.

The all-new Sportage symbolizes the pioneering DNA of the Kia brand. The past success of the Sportage is deeply rooted in a mindset of constant reinvention. Under the new Kia brand, a fifth generation Sportage once again brings an innovation that elevates the brand to the next level.

Developed on a new architecture, the all-new Sportage combines a driver-centric design with a state-of-the-art premium interior featuring a swooping integrated curved display that houses the very latest advancements in connectivity tech.

Designers also focused on creating a pleasant space in which to spend time for all occupants. An intelligent package and clever use of space means that everyone inside Sportage can benefit from class-leading headroom and legroom. The SUV also sets the benchmark in luggage capacity, underscoring its everyday family-friendly practicality and useability.

The all-new Sportage also leads the way in safety featuring both passive and active high-tech systems – including Kia’s world-renowned comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

To create a dynamic, engaging and optimal driving experience, the all-new Sportage debuts numerous highly innovative technology breakthroughs, including Kia’s E-Handling system that enhances the dynamic performance of the vehicle and improves agility and stability. A new-generation Electric Control Suspension (ESC) provides optimum comfort and superior safety levels at all times thanks to its continuous damping control in real-time.

A Terrain Mode gives all-new Sportage outstanding ride capabilities in more challenging conditions such as snow, mud and sand, allowing owners to pursue more adventurous leisure activities.

Advanced powertrains make the all-new Sportage a highly economical, low-emissions real-world operator but such frugality is paired with smooth and highly responsive power delivery, resulting in an SUV that is energetic, sporty and fun-to-drive.

The all-new Sportage is the first Kia vehicle to be available in long-wheelbase and short-wheelbase model variants depending on the region, ensuring that the fifth-generation family fully meets the diverse and specific needs of all markets.

“Our new Sportage is a true inspiration for the SUV category in every sense,” said Artur Martins, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Brand and Customer Experience Division at Kia Corporation. “Be it the forward-thinking design, stellar interior, next-generation tech, efficient and responsive powertrains, the highest levels in safety systems or the very latest engineering breakthroughs that guarantee a responsive and optimal drive – the all-new Sportage is the ultimate urban SUV.”

Keep Reading: https://www.kianewscenter.com/news/all/kia-presents-all-new-sportage–the-ultimate-urban-suv/s/f15fcd09-e75a-4454-a1da-1c54b5e37189

Kia EV6 Concept Photos

From: https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/17207/kia-reveals-new-design-philosophy-and-full-images-of-ev6

Kia reveals new design philosophy and full images of EV6

Kia Corporation has today revealed the first images of the exterior and interior design of EV6, its first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV), ahead of the car’s world premiere in March.

EV6 was designed under the brand’s new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, which takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity. At the center of the design philosophy is a new visual identity evoking positive forces and natural energy, with contrasting combinations of sharp stylistic elements and sculptural shapes.

Boasting a distinctive crossover-inspired design and based on the brand’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated BEV to be influenced by the new design philosophy, which embodies Kia’s shifting focus towards electrification.

“EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centered, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market,” said Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Design Center. “With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.”

Opposites United: a design philosophy for all future Kia vehicles

The Opposites United design philosophy makes its debut on EV6, and will inform the design of all future Kia models. The philosophy is based on five key design pillars: ‘Bold for Nature’, ‘Joy for Reason’, ‘Power to Progress’, ‘Technology for Life’, and ‘Tension for Serenity’.

Bold for Nature is based on interaction with nature, informed by the details, shapes and proportions found both in the natural and human worlds. This design pillar creates organic, yet technical structures and finishes for vehicle interiors; exterior designs are characterized by a combination of clear and simple lines with bold, ever-changing surfaces.

Joy for Reason focuses on the feel and ambience of Kia’s future vehicles. Future designs will fuse the emotional with the rational, creating vehicles that influence the mood of passengers, by relaxing and inspiring. It will also influence the adoption of new organic materials and more daring colors, expressing a sense of youth and playfulness.

Power to Progress builds on the brand’s current design strengths. By drawing on and developing the skills and expertise learned throughout Kia’s recent era of design-led transformation, the designs and layouts of the brand’s future products will continue to evolve. Future designs will draw on experience and creativity to invent and innovate new designs.

Technology for Life embraces new technologies and innovations to foster positive interactions between humans and machines. The brand’s future vehicles will adopt a next-generation in-car user experience (UX) through design and innovation and advancements in lighting, feel and in-car connectivity – to help customers engage with their cars.

Tension for Serenity evokes the tension between opposing forces and creative contrasts, and recognizes the design equilibrium that comes from two opposing forces. It delivers striking design concepts that use sharp, highly technical details to create surface tension – and realize a harmonized, future-oriented design vision.

“We want our products to deliver an instinctive and natural experience that improves the daily lives of our customers. Our aim is to design the physical experience of our brand and to create original, inventive, and exciting electric vehicles. The ideas of our designers and the purpose of the brand are becoming more connected than ever, with our customers at the center of what we do and influencing every decision that we make,” added Karim Habib