• 10-DEC-2014

New Kia Sorento recognised for its environmental credentials

The all-new Sorento, revealed overseas for the first time at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October, has become the latest Kia model to achieve internationally-recognised certification for its whole-life impact on the environment.

TÜV Nord, a leading independent technical inspection organisation, has certified the new Kia Sorento according to the ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standard. LCA forecasts the environmental impact of a vehicle during its full life, as well as a wide range of development and manufacturing factors – including raw material extraction, pre-production testing and the efficiency of factory facilities.

The company received its first TÜV Nord certification in 2008 for the Europe-specific cee'd model. Following the LCA accolade for the Sorento, there are now 12 Kia models with ISO 14040 certification.

Comparing the new Sorento to its predecessor, the mid-size sports utility vehicle (SUV) improved its 'Photochemical Oxidants Creation Potential' (POCP) by nearly 13%. POCP measures the amount of smog created by a vehicle's manufacturing process and by the vehicle itself throughout its life.

Soon-Nam Lee, Vice President of the Overseas Makreting Group at Kia Motors Corporation, commented, "We put as much focus on minimising the carbon footprint of our manufacturing operations as we do on reducing the environmental impact of our cars throughout the period of ownership. All Kia models are now built with comprehensive, whole-life environmental impact in mind."

Earlier this year, Kia announced its intention to achieve ISO 50001 certification across all its global production facilities. ISO 50001 is an international standard on corporate energy conservation planning and implementation, and will result in tighter management of energy consumption. Kia's Gwangju plant has been ISO 50001-certified since 2012, with other facilities due to follow.