So when did Hyundai and Kia actually became the same company? I believe it was early 2001 or so. But i'm not sure, I was looking at my engine bay today and noticed one of my drive belts has the Hyundai and Kia logo on it, and my vehicle is a 1999 but was assembled sometime in 1998.

 

It has been awhile cuz I wanted a Tiburon when they first came out with the Gen 2's and had to go to a kia dealership to look at them. They just never got them in. so your talking 1999 abous that I can tell ya. Kia is another one of those cars like the Tib thread. Watch out. It may be a Kia but move the rear motor mounts back a bit and BAM!!! drop and swap SR20DET You got dusted by a Kia or KiaSan.

 

Hyundai OWNS MAJORITY shares in Kia, they basically saved their asses.
But Kia is in itself it's own company. Hyundai's kinda like GMC, and Kia's like Chevy, type of thing.

Lotsa parts from Hyundai will fit into Kia cars and visa versa

OT, Sonata_EF: Shrink you sig please, it's mighty big, Thanks

 

They didn't actually become major shareholders until late 2003 though. I don't know why you had to go to a Kia dealership to look for a Tiburon in 99, there were no Hyundais on the Kia lot I bought my Sephia from in 2001. Maybe the dealer there dealt with both.

 

^^yup