Kia 2000 Annual Report Download - page 13

KiaM otors annual reports 2000
8. Improving affiliate parts quality through aggressive benchmarking
Kia believes that coordinating with part suppliers to ensure quality is the most
important factor in competing with the worlds leading auto producers. For
this reason, Kia last year conducted direct comparisons of parts quality with
the cooperation of leading producers, Mercedes Benz and Honda.
Kia also carried out on-site inspections of local quality-related problems
concerning exports to the North American market with officials from over 100
subcontractors. After inspecting Japanese parts manufacturersfacilities in
April, Kia toured North American facilities in October. The Kia inspection
team discussed policy related to collection of faulty parts originating in the
North American market and later investigated local after-sales service
problems and customer feedback through dealer visits. Kia continues to
explore various quality improvement measures.
7. The New Millennium Tour and increased benefits for overseas dealers
Now free of legal difficulties, Kia has been steadily bolstering its corporate image by attending motor shows
around the world. Starting with the Chicago and Geneva motor shows in February, and the Paris Motor Show in
September, we have continued to introduce new models and enhance our corporate image.
The annual New Millennium Tour and related events have also provided an opportunity to strengthen unity
among the overseas dealers who sell Kia products. Over 1,520 overseas dealers and journalists from 75
countries have visited Korea a total of 39 times. The visits included direct observation of Kias production and
research facilities, instilling in those who sell Kia products with a sense of belonging, pride and vision.
10. Employee training and social welfare
Last year, since overcoming past obstacles, Kia held a shareholdersmeeting and started
hiring university graduates for the first time in three years. We were also able to once again
focus on employee welfare and provide such benefits as year-end bonuses and company-
paid travel to hometowns on national holidays. By operating summer vacatian facilities and
supporting medical expenses, Kia is now providing for employee leisure activities and
health management.
Kia maximizes employee benefit by offering financial assistance for purchasing a home
or automobile. Moreover, Kia has also set up the Osan Human Resource Development
Center to provide even greater educational opportunities for Kia employees and their families.
9. Improving customer satisfaction with the real-name maintenance system
Under the motto Kindness, Speed and Accuracy,Kia completely revamped the after-sales
system. The new real-name maintenance system at all service centers has greatly improved the
monitoring function and customer satisfaction indexes. The Kia After-sales Service Division,
which established an operational policy based on the two main directives of expanded service
opportunity and improvement of service quality, deployed a campaign of New Departures, New
Challenges and Realization of Customer Satisfaction.In August, Kia utilized satellite
broadcasting to strengthen the training of maintenance people. In addition, Kia employees
provided direct services and established clinics in areas that are lacking in maintenance-related
materials.
Report of Independent Public Accountants 25
Balance Sheets 27
Statements of Income 29
Syayements of Disposition of Accumulated Deficit 30
2000 KIA MOTO RS AN N UAL REPORT
FINAN CIAL STATEMEN TS