Which South Korean automaker owns the Kia brand?

Hyundai, through Hyundai Motor Group, owns the Kia brand. Kia operates as a separate automotive company and brand, but it is part of the same South Korean automotive group as Hyundai Motor Company.

Hyundai Motor Company became Kia’s largest shareholder after acquiring a major stake following Kia’s financial difficulties in the late 1990s. Hyundai Motor Company holds roughly 35% of Kia’s common shares, making it Kia’s largest individual shareholder. The two companies share technology, platforms, components, and group-level strategy while continuing to sell vehicles under distinct names.

This relationship is often simplified as “Hyundai owns Kia,” which is acceptable for a general-knowledge quiz, although Kia is not merely a Hyundai model line. SsangYong, Samsung, and Daewoo are separate South Korean companies and are not the parent group behind Kia. Together, Hyundai and Kia rank among the world’s largest automotive operations and sell vehicles across most major global markets.