Crash safety testing standards and rating criteria are different in each country. How do they differ in Europe, the Americas, and Asian Pacific regions?
Every region has its own NCAP evaluation system. The most representative are those used in the US and Europe. In the US, high speed frontal and side impact tests are conducted and evaluated separately. Starting with model year 2011 vehicles, the current system will be replaced by a more comprehensive evaluation method that combines the results of the above two tests and rollover resistance. Europe has a much more rigorous standard that includes high speed offset crash, side impact and pole side impact tests. Europe further tightened its testing standards in 2009 by switching to a comprehensive NCAP rating scheme to include vehicles’ pedestrian protection, whiplash protection and safety equipment.

Can the same car (or model with same specs) receive different test ratings depending on interior options or environmental factors?
Crash tests of the same model can sometimes produce results with very minor differences, but for the most part, they are similar. The test team considers variables from multiple options and environmental factors so that the tests for vehicle development are conducted under extreme conditions for load and speed.

What’s included in a crash test?
There are many varieties of crash tests. Although there are many variables like the speed and test conditions, you can categorize crash tests into the following: the most well-known fixed barrier frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, frontal offset impact, rear offset impact, fixed barrier frontal impact on an incline, car to car crash, pole impact, pole side impact and rollover resistance tests.

The new Euro NCAP is said to be quite strict and particular, with diverse tests to measure cars’ protection of adults, children and pedestrians. Are there any special tests that Kia Namyang R&D Center is preparing or has conducted for Euro NCAP?
We factor in crash safety performance from the very initial stage of product concept development. This means that crash safety is considered during all stages of planning a new car, from designing its exterior to creating the optimal car structure and interior/exterior parts. From the early stages of development, we produce separate vehicles for Euro NCAP crash tests so that the finished vehicle will have undergone countless of Euro NCAP testing simulations.

What’s the difference between a crash test and an actual vehicle crash?
With real cars there is such a broad range of crash conditions like the speed, situation and form of impact that it’s difficult to predict the outcome of a real vehicle crash with the standardized crash test. However, the crash test conditions that we recreate here at Kia were developed by experts from various countries after lengthy research. So you can say that our tests best represent actual real-world crashes.

In particular, if a real car were to crash under the same conditions as our crash tests, there would be no difference. Cars that receive high marks in crash tests provide greater protection to both passengers and pedestrians in a real crash.

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Tell us about any memorable episodes during the CVT’s development.
Since the CVT attracted so much attention from inside and outside the country, not to mention inside the company, there were numerous test demonstrations for company executives. I remember always rushing to install the latest and most updated specs for the test drives. Also, our development schedule, already short to begin with, was pushed up by three months. This meant that everyone showed up at work on the weekends. I still remember the incredible sense of accomplishment we felt whenever we made improvements and found solutions.

Any last words?
We have to look beyond the technologies of peers and come up with the most creative ideas and new technologies in order to survive in today’s era of cutthroat competition. I am grateful that we had the opportunity to make a small contribution toward Kia’s future with the independent development of the CVT. I am confident that our experiences in developing such technologies will help propel Kia’s status as a world-leading automaker.

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The ‘Designer’s Work Place,’ located on the first floor of the container box, features designers’ work desks to give visitors a glimpse into the actual setting where designs are created. The second floor is the venue for ‘Kia Design Artworks’ where everyday materials as seen through a designer’s eyes are on display along with original artworks and sculptures.

Participating designers submitted ideas not only for cars, but also insects, robots, animals and other objects as well as abstract pieces. They used a wide variety of materials to convey their thoughts including paint, paper, wires, copperplate, wood, cloth and plastic.
The ideas and experiences stemming from the designers’ inspirations will likely result in richer and more diverse car designs.

Visitors can come and take a look at KIA Design Art Works at the 2009 Gwangju Design Biennale between September 18 and November 4.

The Gwangju Design Biennale is an international design exhibition held every two years. The last event in 2007 attracted 300,000 visitors. This year marks the third biennale and is being held from September 18 to November 4, 2008.

The theme of the 2009 Gwangju Design Biennale is ‘The Clue.’ The event will showcase 1,951 pieces of art by 519 designers and 376 companies from 48 countries. The biennale features exhibitions based on the five themes of clothing, eating, living, enlightenment and enjoyment. It also includes project exhibitions themed ‘Design to Save’, ‘Design to Care’ and ‘Design to Share.‘

Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors, is exhibiting a piece based on the ‘living’ theme that was inspired by Damyang Soswewon, a typical garden of the Joseon era.

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The 60 students and I went on the volunteer trip from July 16 to August 5. It took an entire day to reach the village, so there were only eight days for actual work. We did our best to make the most out of our short stay.

Being the first volunteer group, we had to lay down the foundation before actual construction could begin. Most of our work involved digging and shoveling. Everyone worked hard with no complaints even though the work went non-stop for seven hours everyday. The heat cooled during our stay with the rain, so there was no need to worry about heat stroke. Of course, everyone inevitably got covered in mud.

In addition to working at the site, we prepared a performance for the local residents. There were three main shows, mini Olympics, balloon art, face painting and a magic show. I was suddenly thrown into the cheerleading squad, so I practiced every night until 2 am or 3 am. Due to rain, the shows were delayed until the day before we left Sichuan province. In the end, the performance was a success, making the long hours of practice worthwhile.

We wrapped up the trip to China with a visit to the local Kia Motors factory and Shanghai. Our bus broke down on a highway, so we had to get off and push the bus, which was a unique experience. In Shanghai, the city was bustling with preparations for next year’s Expo.

I am thankful to all of the volunteers who worked incredibly hard during the two weeks at the construction site and during the two months of preparation. I hope this trip will last as a warm memory for everyone involved.

Our visit was profiled in People’s Daily, which you can review at the following link:
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2009-09/04/content_334542.htm

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I got ready right away, had a big breakfast and then took the bus to the motor show venue. It was still early morning but the bus was already packed with people going to the press conference.

We finally arrived at Messe-Frankfurt. The slogan for this year’s show is “A Moving Experience” and visitors are offered many attractions and activities that are literally moving. The Frankfurt Motor Show, also known as the International Motor Show (IAA), is now in its 63rd year. With some 60 automakers participating, it is the world’s largest motor show. After today’s press conference that’s only open to the media, the 2009 show will run from September 19 (Saturday) to 27 (Sunday). The massive exhibit is spread out over 11 halls. It’s so big that even if you took a car, it’d take 5 minutes to drive from Hall 1 to Hall 11.
When I first arrived at the site, the sheer size of the exhibit blew me away.
No wonder it’s called the world’s largest motor show,

[Day-2-2] Sept. 15 (Tues) : Go! Go! Venga! Venga! (Kia Motors press conference)
I arrived at the site for Kia’s press conference at 12:30, half an hour before it was due to start. The place was already packed! There was hardly any standing room left. The signboard showed that the conference would start at 1:00pm. This turnout bodes well~!

The opening countdown signaled the start of the conference. There was an excited sense of anticipation in the air as the promotional videos for the new look cee’d and all-new Sorrento were shown.

After the videos, Panu Vainamo from Kia Motors Eurpe, Marketing made opening remarks and Kia Motors Corporation President Hank Lee took the stage to introduce the company’s environmental brand, EcoDynamics. He also gave a very ‘to-the-point’ presentation on Kia’s current and future strategy for green vehicles.

Then the newly appointed COO of KME Paul Philpott gave an overview of KME and unveiled the cee’d and Sorrento. I felt chills all over my body when the two models emerged. Judging by the crowd’s reaction to the stylish and environmentally friendly cars, I feel confident they will be a knockout success in the European market!

Finally, it was time to pull the covers off Venga. After a showing of the introductory video, Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer came out riding the Venga and then talked about its design. The front of the car is defined by the signature tiger nose grille while diverse specs like the panorama roof hail a new era of MPVs.

After a photo opportunity for reporters, the press conference came to an end. Although it didn’t last very long, it seemed to have left a major impression.
Reporters and other personnel lingered behind at the Kia booth even after the press conference was over. The Venga attracted a lot of attention. I also sensed a bright future ahead for Kia with the cee’d hybrid and other eco-friendly models.

I hope this posting satisfies your curiosity about the Frankfurt Motor Show, at least partially. I tried my best to paint a vivid picture of the event and capture some of the mood. That’s all for me now. This is John Shim, Kia BUZZ, Frankfurt.

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