[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Kia Motors Corporation has been awarded three environmental certificates by TÜV Nord, an independent technical inspection organization, in recognition of the strong eco-credentials of its three newest models.

The low tailpipe emissions of the new Kia Picanto, Rio and Optima, and the advanced manufacturing processes used in their production, resulted in all three models being certified according to the ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

The LCA inspection examines the environmental impact of both the car and its overall manufacturing process throughout the course of its lifetime, taking into account factors such as choice of materials, engine exhaust emissions and recycling.

Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing and Product Planning, Kia Motors Europe, commented, “Kia models continue to receive recognition from a wide range of independent industry organisations across the globe – for the quality and efficiency of their production methods, for achieving the highest levels of safety and for their striking design.

“Kia is deeply committed to minimizing its vehicles’ impact on the environment, and this latest honor follows similar accreditations for the striking new Sportage and for our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Zilina,” concludes Oeyen.

All three of the Kia models accredited this month offer competitive running costs, and, in the case of the all-new Rio B-segment hatchback, the lowest CO2 output (from just 85 g/km) of any car currently on sale in Europe.

Kia’s manufacturing facility in Zilina was certified in 2008 as an ‘environmentally-friendly’ facility, earning an ISO 14001 international certificate of environmental management. The plant employs cutting-edge technology to ensure that production and waste-management have a minimal impact on the environment. The Kia Sportage compact CUV, which is manufactured at Zilina as well as in Korea, was also awarded LCA status by TÜV Nord in 2010.