Kia Amanti (Opirus) Tops Strategic Vision Customer Delight Index

Garnering another significant accolade, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the upscale Amanti topped the large car segment in the 2008 Strategic Vision Most Delightful® Vehicle study.

The Customer Delight Index® provides a comprehensive look at the product attributes and benefits that elicit extremely positive -- or ‘delightful’ -- responses from the primary drivers of vehicles beyond meeting foundational needs. The Amanti scored 651 across the range of attributes measured, far exceeding the segment average of 529, emphasizing strong perceptions and experiences of quality amongst owners. Noteworthy and strong attributes that helped drive ‘delight’ in Amanti customers included overall performance, overall thoughtful engineering, quality of the interior, riding comfort, overall durability and fuel economy.

"As a safe, reliable and attractive full-size sedan, Amanti meets drivers' needs at an exceptional price point," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA.

"Leading the Strategic Vision Most Delightful Vehicle study is another example of Amanti's strengths and of Kia Motors' commitment to providing a line-up embodying quality, fuel efficiency and value."

This is the second time the Amanti has topped the Customer Delight Index and also led the large car segment in 2005. Having also topped the Strategic Vision SmartGreen Index℠ and Total Value Index® in the large car segments and a recipient of a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal and side impact crash tests, the well-appointed Amanti offers outstanding safety features, luxury and overall convenience in the full-size sedan segment.

Amanti offers a long list of standard amenities, including: eight airbags; leather seats, chrome and wood accents; and a 3.8-liter all-aluminum DOHC V6 engine which generates 264 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Other large car segment vehicles measured in the 2008 Customer Delight Index study include the Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Mercury Sable, Nissan Maxima, Buick Lucerne, Dodge Charger, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse.

Japan Society Annual Dinner

Date: Tuesday, 20th January 2009, 7.00pm for 7.30pm

Venue: Grange City Hotel, 8-14 Cooper’s Row, London, EC3N 2BQ (nearest underground: Tower Bridge)

Fee: £50 members & their guests, £80 non members, £30 for members under 25 (first 30 to apply)

Guests of Honour at the annual dinner will be Mr Taro Hakase and Ms Mayuko Takata. During the evening, the Japan Society Award for 2008 will be presented to Professor Lesley Millar and Mrs Momoko Williams.

This, the Japan Society’s major social gathering, is your chance to shake off any post-holiday blues and begin 2009 in style. Guests will start the evening with a glass of champagne, before proceeding to the dining room where Taro Hakase will treat us to a short recital before dinner. Following the meal, he will be joined ‘in conversation’ with his wife, Mayuko Takata, when they will answer questions collected in advance from guests.

The dinner is traditionally a black tie event and many guests will wear formal dress, but for those who prefer lounge suits, this is perfectly acceptable. The cost includes a glass of champagne on arrival, 3 course dinner, wine and coffee. Please use the reply form in this programme to book your tickets. Most people will be sitting at round tables of 10. If you have any seating preferences, please specify with whom you wish to be seated. Please also note any special dietary requirements on the booking form. Tickets will be sent to all those attending.

*The guest of honour is the acclaimed violinist and composer, Mr Taro Hakase who will be accompanied by his wife, actress Mayuko Takata. Hakase was born in Osaka in 1968 and made his performance debut in 1990. He entered the world stage performing with Celine Dion, before pursuing a solo career from 1996. His music crosses boundaries of nation and genre. He has become one of the most popular classical artists in Japan and in December 2008 finishes a three month Japanese concert tour.

His next UK concert is on 14th February at the Cadogan Hall, London. The two recipients of the Japan Society Award 2008 have been active in promoting the Japan British relationship in very different ways.

Lesley Millar has spent some 20 years building up professional and personal links between textile makers in both countries. She has curated highly successful exhibitions, which have toured both countries, and through which she has encouraged shared learning and cultural exchange.

Momoko Williams has been a committed member of the Japanese residents’ association in the UK, working not only to promote Japan-UK links, but to enhance the welfare of Japanese residents in London. She has been involved in many community projects including the restoration of the Japanese cemetery in Hendon.