Price Range: $9,995 to $14,000

Engine: 1.8-liter, 125-horsepower I4

Configuration: Front Engine/Front Drive

Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway

Safety Features: Driver and passenger side airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes

DEADWOOD, S.D. -- Kia should be familiar to U.S. auto buyers. They have sold tens of thousands of small cars in this country. We are not aware of it since they came with Ford badges -- named Festiva and Aspire.

Kia (KEE-uh) has established a great reputation in its own name in Asia, and made its entry on the West Coast. They currently have about 530 dealers in this country and are adding more every month. They even have one in this sparsely populated state, and only lack North Dakota to complete their U.S. coverage.

Kia grew from the ashes of post-WWII Korea, progressing from bicycle parts to motorcycles to cargo trucks. Kia designed and produced the first gasoline engine in Korea, and parlayed auto expertise to become the seventh largest company in that country. Kia now produces 650,000 vehicles per year, is rated by Forbes as the 20th largest automaker in the world, and the third fastest growing company in the industry.

There is nothing flashy about the Sephia (suh-FEE-uh). Kia has become one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in America by offering its customers substantial value. Now Kia is increasing the value of its Sephia compact sedan by offering two new value packages that will add standard equipment worth more than $1,000 and keep the base price below $10K, normally the province of smaller sub-compact cars.