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Kia's new generation Ceed will go on sale in Ireland on 1 August, writes Brian Byrne . It will be available in four trims, with prices ranging from €22,695. Power options will be 1.0 and 1.4 petrol, and 1.6 diesel. Safety technologies which will be standard include forward collision assiste, lane-keeping assist, high beam assist and driver attention warning. All versions will also have Bluetooth with voice recognition and a reversing camera.

The first details of Kia's electric Niro have been released, writes Trish Whelan . The car goes into production at the end of the year. A 450km range is estimated with the larger capacity of two that will be available, rated at 64kWh and 39.2kWh respectively. The style changes from the plug-in hybrid version that's on sale here include the removal of the front grille, and more streamlining of the wheel arches. It will debut in Europe at the Paris Motor Show in September. The driving range standards are calculated using the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). All figures are subject to change.

Pushing an electrified option strongly, Kia Ireland is rolling out fast chargers throughout its dealer network, writes Trish Whelan . The Irish distributor has partnered with Wallbox for the initiative, which also offers customers the opportunity to buy their own home Wallbox charger, which can provide a full charge in as little as 2.5 hours. Kia already sells the plug-in hybrid Niro compact SUV here, and further hybrid and fully-electric models will be available from the brand in due course. Pictured are Moises Barea, Commercial Director, Wallbox; James Brooks, Managing Director, Kia Motors Ireland; Gerry Cash, Director, Car Chargers.ie and David O’ Connor, Head of Aftersales, Kia Motors Ireland.

This is the three-millionth car built by Kia at its factory in Zilina, Czechoslovakia, since December 2006, writes Trish Whelan . The white Kia cee'd is destined for a customer in Iceland. The factory also produces Sportage and Venga models, and engines. More than four million engines have been built there.

Catherina McKiernan and Rose of Tralee, Jennifer Byrne, set the pace ahead of the inaugural Kia Race Series which kicks off on 17 March with The Streets of Portlaoise 5k , writes Trish Whelan .  The Kia Race Series will bring together seven well established regional races around Ireland under one umbrella with an added closed road running event in Mondello Park. The Kia Race Series is encouraging Ireland’s best male and female distance athletes to compete against each other, with a new Kia Stonic up for grabs for both the overall male and female winner of the series. To be eligible to win the series, runners must take part in five of the eight races including the finale. There’s the added incentive of €7,000 bonus fund available for course records. Runners can enter online on kiaraceseries.com and join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook @KiaRaceSeries. The KIA Race Series Streets of Portlaoise 5k - 17th March 11am Run with Catherina (Co. Cava...

Kia Motors has agreed a three-year sponsorship agreement to become an Official Partner of the UEFA Europe League, writes Trish Whelan . The agreement starts in time for the 2018/19 season and runs through to the UEFA Europe League final in 2021. The UEFA Europa League is the world’s largest professional club football competition involving 48 clubs from 55 countries across Europe and attracts a global cumulative TV audience of one billion across all programming. As Official Partner, Kia Motors will provide a fleet of 90 cars for the UEFA Europa League finals in 2019,2020 and 2021 to transport referees, officials, delegates and VIPs. Kia will invite thousands of fans to UEFA Europa League games. Some 205 young football fans across Europe will be invited to enter Official Match Ball Carrier programme by entering a competition.   The UEFA Europa League 2018/19 season group stage will commence on 20 September next while the knock-out stage will start on 1...