For years, Kia was seen as little more than an alternative to buying a used car. Today it's one of the most closely watched automakers in America, and James Bell, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Kia America, has had a front-row seat for the entire transformation. A former automotive journalist himself, he explains what separates Kia from its Hyundai and Genesis siblings, why the company is pressing ahead with electrification while others retreat, and what kinds of vehicles could be next in line for range-extended electric power. He also explains why Kia is sticking with sedans after Ford and Chevrolet walked away from theirs, shares what keeps him up at night about the American market, and offers candid advice for anyone hoping to build a career in automotive PR, along with one unforgettable story from a press launch gone sideways. Join Craig Cole and co-host Sam Abuelsamid as they dive deep with James to find out how Kia flipped the script and where it's headed next, before looking back on the highlights of the season, in this episode of GreenCars, The Podcast.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
5:10 - From Journalist to Kia's PR Chief
10:33 - Behind the Scenes of a Press Launch
14:20 - What Makes Kia Different
21:21 - Kia's Electrification Strategy
26:10 - Range-Extended EVs Are Coming
30:00 - Why Kia Is Sticking With Sedans
31:58 - Ionna, Charging & the Road Ahead
37:49 - Is Automotive PR a Good Career?
39:44 - A Press Trip Gone Wrong
44:04 - Three for the Road
48:48 - Conclusions
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