Kia Motors America has unveiled its new 2006 Kia Rio subcompact sedan, with features including side-curtain air bags that the company reportedly said soon will be standard on all of its models.
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The Associated Press (AP) said the Rio, which is scheduled to go on sale starting this summer, is the latest effort by Kia to bolster its small-car lineup following the introduction last year of the new Spectra compact sedan [known as the Cerato in some other export markets].
The Rio features six standard air bags, including full-length side-curtain air bags. A spokesman told AP that, by the end of 2005, all Kias will be equipped with standard side-curtain air bags.
The Associated Press noted that Kia has been working to address some safety concerns raised recently. Last month, the Spectra became the first vehicle since 2001 to get the insurance industry’s worst safety rating in a frontal crash test.
Kia reportedly has said it was comfortable with the level of safety the Spectra provides.
