Korean car companies have been making waves in the automotive industry, both in the aspects of design and performance. They are carving a niche for themselves in the US and global market. Kia, for example, has been increasing its foothold in the US market, figures last year shows a growth of 6.4%. In December alone, the company sold 30,000 plus units which was the best sales month in the entire existence of the oldest car manufacturer in Korea.

And with the unveiling of their new concept car, the Kia Kue, the company strengthened its name as one serious contender in the crossover SUV market. Riding on radical designs, the genius engineering of Kia parts and other components, and the design of the concept car itself, the company is showing what they can do in terms of designing new and exciting cars.

While some crossover SUVs focus on hauling capability, the Kia Kue puts much attention to the performance of the car. Although it is just a concept car, this shows the direction Kia will be taking in the near future. Providing crossover SUVs with performance enhancing features with the same hauling capacity of an SUV will no doubt impact the financial status of the company and increase its popularity in the market.

The direction in design by which Kia is taking is more probably because of their acquisition of the service of the much-praised Audi designer Peter Schreyer. This concept car is the first output of Schreyer's California design studio. If this is the sign of things coming from Kia, any other design coming out of that studio will surely be welcomed.

Also announced is the production of the Kia Soul which was also shown during the previous Detroit Motor Show as a concept car. Does this means that we can look forward to a full scale production of the Kia Kue? We can only guess, but if ever this concept car be manufactured for the market, its high quality design and performance level will surely have a lot of buyers.

The Kia Soul, which will be available late 2008 or early 2009 as a 2009 model, was designed in California and would be built entirely on the company's Korean assembly plant. It is a 5-seater small car aimed at young single males as its buyers. The Kia Soul carries a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine with a five speed automatic transmission. Its name refers to the capital of South Korea, Seoul and to soul music.