Kia Picanto, Rio and Optima Get TUV Nord Environment Certifications

Kia Motors Corporation has been awarded three environmental certificates by TUV Nord, an independent technical inspection organisation, in recognition of the strong eco-credentials of its three newest models. Thus, 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).

LCA inspections don’t just take into account what comes out the pipes of the car, but also the environmental impact of the overall manufacturing process throughout the course of its lifetime, taking into account factors such as choice of materials and recycling.

“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,” said Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing and Product Planning.

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

It’s also worth noting that the Picanto offers the lowest CO2 output (starting from just 85 g/km) of any internal combustion engine car currently on sale in Europe.

“Kia’s manufacturing facility in Zilina, Slovakia 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,” Kia boasts in the official release.