When was Kia founded?

Kia dates back to 1944. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Who has owned Kia in the past?

Past shareholders include Ford (1986–1998) and Hyundai (1998–9999).

Brand · South Korea · since 1944

KiWho owns Kia?

Kia has no controlling parent company as of 2026. Its largest tracked shareholder is Hyundai (34%).

HQ Seoul
Founded 1944
Ownership changes tracked 3

See Kia on the map

Ownership timeline

← rows are shareholders in Kia. → rows are stakes Kia held in others. Darker bars mean bigger stakes.

Every stake, year by year

Years	Stake	Who
1986–1998	10%	Owned by Ford · view 1986 on map
1998–2000	51%	Owned by Hyundai After Kia's collapse · view 1998 on map
2000–today	34%	Owned by Hyundai · view 2000 on map

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Former owners

Quick answers

Who owns Kia?: Kia has no controlling parent company as of 2026. Its largest tracked shareholder is Hyundai (34%).
When was Kia founded?: Kia dates back to 1944. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
Who has owned Kia in the past?: Past shareholders include Ford (1986–1998) and Hyundai (1998–9999).

Stakes are approximate, rounded from public filings and press coverage. Badges are original monograms, not manufacturer logos, and no manufacturer endorses this site. Some links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.