The history of the automobile industry is very interesting. It demonstrates not only the speed and degree of growth of this type of production but also humanity. By observing how, where, and what happened from the very beginning – from the very idea of the first car to the latest mass models and future developments – you can get an idea of the prospects for the development of the automotive industry. The timing of future changes and the directions in which dramatic changes can be expected shortly. In addition, such information will be interesting and useful to car enthusiasts and enthusiastic people for whom a car is not just a means of transportation but a favorite hobby – a passion, the meaning of their lives.
What brands of cars begin with the letter k?
For convenience, this information is formed in alphabetical order by brand name. This list includes a list of car manufacturers in the world, the name of which begins with the letter “K.” Given that for the entire period of existence of the automobile industry in the world, there were many brands, the period of existence of which was very short. Their activities were not characterized by any important features; the created list includes only those manufacturers that have had the greatest impact on the development of the industry and humanity as a whole.
Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors is one of the leading South Korean automobile companies. Founded in 1944 as a bicycle manufacturer, it has grown into the world’s largest automaker. Today, it has covered all European markets, entered the Japanese market, and is already the leader in vehicle sales in the United States. The brand merged with Hyundai in 1998, significantly expanding its capabilities and markets. Currently, Kia’s main products are passenger cars and SUVs. All products are represented by cars of various categories – from small cars to large and expensive models. The company is also developing hybrid cars and electric vehicles.
Keinath
Horst Keinath, in Germany, created the Keinath brand in 1983 to create convertibles. The Pel Monza, Opel Ascona, and Vauxhall Cavalier Mark 2 lines were developed and produced. Among the original models, the GTR, a sporty hardtop version, stands out. Having modernized it by using a 5.7-liter V8 LS as the powerplant, the brand began producing it in large numbers as early as 2000. The brand continues its independent and successful operations to this day.
Koenigsegg
The Swiss company Koenigsegg was founded in 1994 by 22-year-old Christian von Koenigsegg. With its help, he decided to realize his dream – to produce exclusive supercars in luxury for wealthy car enthusiasts. This goal was achieved, and the company’s success ensured the brand’s rapid development. The main production difference was the individual production of each car according to the customer’s conditions and its customization with the owner. The line of serial Koenigsegg CCR in 2005 was recognized as the fastest (388 km/h). Almost all of the brand’s cars received high international praise.
Kaiser
Throughout the history of the American automotive industry, Kaiser Industries is remembered as one of the leading manufacturers of the industry’s “golden age.” Founded in Michigan by two passionate natures, Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Fraser, it became the foundation upon which several brands were later born. In 20 years, the company produced several original passenger cars with different body styles – sedans and hatchbacks, hardtops and Jeeps, and compact economy sedans. The release of Jeep in civilian and military variants brought it world fame, and the Darrin became the first sports car in American history made with fiberglass. 1963, the brand already had a new name, Kaiser Jeep, sold to American Motors.
Koenig Specials
Engaged in car tuning, the German brand Koenig Specials became widely known among owners of expensive and luxurious cars. Tuning several exclusive Ferrari models, including a complete redesign of the Ferrari 348 in the 1980s, the developers added two turbo engines to this model. Thus, the brand created a lot of controversy around itself and its works, which was the reason for the company’s popularity. However, contradictory statements led to the fact that the company specialists refused to completely remake the models of the world’s leading brands, focusing on producing modified individual components.
Kaipan
The Czech Republic also contributed to the history of the world automobile industry by founding the Kaipan brand of small roadsters. Based on the British Lotus Seven, the Kaipan 47 was the first car to be produced to this day, many years after its initial release. Throughout its existence, the brand has produced five models, characterized by the originality of the body and equipped with powerplants from the world’s leaders – Ford, Honda, and VW. The company continues its activity even today.
Kantanka
Among the leaders of the “K” group is a company from African Ghana, founded by Kwadwo Safo in 1992 – Kantanka Automobile. Today, it is the most popular brand in Africa, specializing in its vehicles’ licensed assembly and production. Its production group includes sedans and eight four-wheeler models in various categories. Civilians and government agencies approach it in various African countries to assemble and customize military and armored vehicles. One of the important additional areas of the brand is the development and production of combat exoskeletons.
Kieft
British Cyril Kieft founded the company Kieft Cars, which is known as a manufacturer of sports racing cars. The world-famous Formula 1 and Formula 3 cars came off the company’s assembly line, making the brand historically significant for the automotive industry. In addition, the company was one of the first to use fiberglass to manufacture body elements in its sports series models. But in 1954, the brand was sold, and its new owner reoriented the company towards tuning. Six years later, it was sold again, and the new owner renamed it Burmans.
Kaditcha
Australia was represented in the global auto industry by the successful car brand Kaditcha, founded by Cleveland engineer Barry Locke of McLaren. The main direction of its activity was the production of open-wheel racing cars and sports models, which provided the peak of the brand’s success in the mid-80s of the last century. Among the vehicles designed and produced by Kaditcha were the Formula 5000, Formula Pacific, and the Australian Formula 2. But the most famous was the Kaditcha K583 model. It was the first Group A Sports car with a closed top and a “ground effect” design – an aerodynamic effect that creates downforce. Subsequently, the model received another name – Romano WE84 after Bap Romano won in 1984 by ASCC.
Karmann
Wilhelm Karmann GmbH has been the largest German automaker representing German products for over a century. Founded in 1901 by Wilhelm Karmann, it specialized in producing components, tuning, and design for the automotive industry leaders – Volkswagen, Mercedes, Porsche, Nissan, Renault, Ford, and Chrysler producing their car models. The VW Karmann Ghia Type 14 sports roadster, launched in 1953, stands out for its top performance and original design. In 2010, the brand ceased to exist and was acquired by the Volkswagen Group.
Keller
Huntsville (USA) was the birthplace in 1947 of Keller Motors Corporation, which had a short but colorful industrial life. It was based on Bobbi Motor Car Corp, originally a project of this company. Its president was Williams, whom George D. Keller succeeded in early 1947. The Keller car, a restyling of the Bobbi-Kar, became the brand’s trademark. The world saw 18 copies of this model. The premature death of George D. Keller in 1950 led to the closure of production.
Kish Khodro
Iran also contributed to shaping the history of the automotive world. The products of his company, Kish Khodro, founded in 1995, are known worldwide. The company was controlled by Mohammad Saffari, who owned 51% of the shares. Bank of Industry and Mine and Kamran Naghdi, managing director of UK-based BMS Automotive Ltd. Serial production was launched in 2000. The first model of the Iranian brand was the Sinad car, which used a power plant from Renault. Engineers of BMS Automotive Ltd. carried out its development, and 1800 units were sent into production.
Kissel
Hartford, Wisconsin, is the home of The Kissel Motor Car Company, a family-owned commercial automobile manufacturer. Louis Kissel and his sons, George and William, on June 5, 1906. Fulfilling custom orders in its early days, the brand produced various vehicles, including hearses, fire engines, cabs, and trucks. During the First World War, the brand produced military trucks and ambulances, 30 of which were sent to help Serbia in 1915. However, the Great Depression significantly worsened the situation in the automobile market, and in 1942, the company ceased to exist.
Kleinschnittger
German automobile brand – Kleinschnittger, from 1950 to 1957, was engaged in producing microcars. Among them, Kleinschnittger F125 city cars were in special demand. Equipped with subcompact single-cylinder engines, developing speeds up to 70 km/h, they were notable for their economy – the consumption was 3 liters per 100 km, and they had a lightweight aluminum body. There is information that the brand had production in Belgium, where the model was produced under the name Kleinstwagen, and in the Netherlands – as Alco. The company closed in 1957.
Knox
An American automobile brand based in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA – Knox Automobile Company was one of the leading automobile manufacturers at the dawn of the automobile industry. Between 1900 and 1914, it produced small cars, building 15 cars a year. The two-seat 1904 models had an iron frame and weighed 839 pounds, as well as side springs. The original car had three wheels. Various model variants also had a front passenger seating arrangement with the driver behind them. After 1914, the company began producing tractors and trucks, ending production in 1924. The company’s most famous product was the air-cooled Old Porcupine engine.
Korvensuu
Finnish car manufacturers have also left their mark on the history of the global automotive industry. Frans Lindström founded a small custom car manufacturing company, the country’s first in this field. The Korvensuu automobile of 1913 was not intended for mass production. This model was designed to demonstrate the brand’s capabilities and draw attention to its production. The car with an air-cooled engine of 10 hp was designed for two people. The few Korvensuu cars that were produced were almost completely lost over time.
Kenworth
The Kenworth company is another global representative of the American automobile industry, founded by George T. Gerlinger in 1912 in Kirkland, Washington, USA. Its production focused on producing medium and heavy class 8 trucks. Becoming a subsidiary of Paccar, which produces transit and school buses, Kenworth has significantly expanded the distribution area of its and its parent company’s products. Today, tractors, truck chassis, and dump trucks are manufactured in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. And Paccar has grown into a multinational corporation.
KTM
Located in Mattighofen, Austria, the motorcycle, bicycle, and supercar company KTM was founded in 1934 by Hans Trunkenpolz, a specialty engineer. It all started with a metalworking workshop. In its “piggy bank,” the band recorded a light streetcar equipped with an Audi engine. During its production, the Dallara chassis was used. The model was named X-Bow. The model, designed for two people, became especially popular as an urban family car. Today, KTM is a well-known manufacturer of road motorcycles, constantly expanding the line of two-wheeled vehicles.
Karma Automotive
In 2015, Chinese auto parts manufacturer Wanxiang Group opened Karma Automotive in Costa Mesa, California, USA. Having acquired all assets, including designs, hybrid, plug-in powertrain, and factory, in the wake of the bankruptcy of Fisker Automotive (founder Henrik Fisker), the brand made electric vehicle production its main focus. In 2016, the factory was put up for sale, and production of the Revero luxury electric car began, with a planned production run of 3,000 units.
Keating
Founded in 2016 in Manchester, England, UK, and still operating today, Anthony Keating, the company that got its name, is known for its supercars. The brand produced four models – SKR, TKR, ZKR, and Bolt – a road-going version aimed at American car enthusiasts. Its name is a tribute to the University of Bolton, UK, where the company’s founders graduated and earned an MBA in business in 2012. Anthony’s long-term plans are to work with university students to create a high-speed Keating Bolt model exceeding the current speed record for 330 km/h civilian cars.
Kamaz
Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan, Russia, is the city and country where the famous KAMAZ brand of trucks and engines was created in 1976. It was built by the forces of all countries, turning the enterprise into a striking youth construction site. The first generation – KAMAZ-5320, was developed jointly with the Soviet design institutes “Swindell – Dressler” (Pittsburgh, USA) – technological and special parts of foundry production, Renault (France) – project of engine plant, “Liebherr” (Stuttgart, Germany) – production of gearboxes. It was based on two model lines – ZIL-170 (6 × 4) and ZIL-175 (4 × 2). Today, this brand is the leading manufacturer of heavy trucks in Russia.
Karlmann King
The world’s most expensive SUV manufacturer, the Chinese brand Karlmann King, was founded in 2017. The vehicles produced under its name are assembled in factories in Italy and the USA. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles and funded by Beijing-based International Automotive Technologies. Its $2 million SUV of the same name that wowed the world is a huge lounge on wheels, complete with armchairs, a coffee machine, a large bar, and a huge plasma. It’s a small-batch model that will be made to order for customized changes.
King Long
Another Chinese car brand that deserves a spot on this list is King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd, founded in 1988. It was founded in Xiamen (Fujian Province, China) by China’s Fujian Motors Group Corporation. The company’s main activities are developing, producing, and selling large luxury buses in great demand outside the country. In addition, this brand produces medium-sized buses and light vans characterized by low cost and high durability. Today, the company’s assembly lines produce five series of products that are divided into 50 categories.
FAQ
What fast car starts with K?
Fast cars whose names begin with the letter “K”:
- Koenigsegg produces some of the fastest hypercars in the world. Thanks to their advanced technology, their cars, like the Agera RS and Jesko, are known for breaking speed records. Very few cars are made, so each model is special.
- Karma Automotive specializes in luxury electric vehicles that perform well and are good for the environment. Their Karma Revero GT is a fast hybrid sports car.
- Keating Supercars, a British brand, creates bespoke supercars designed to achieve incredibly high speeds. Their Keating TKR exemplifies their commitment to extreme performance.
- KTM is known for making motorcycles. It also produces the KTM X-Bow, a lightweight sports car that is great on race tracks and regular roads.
- Kurtis Craft, no longer in production, was once a big name in American racing. They built cars that won many races and helped shape motorsports in the United States.
What brand of car starts with K?
If you look at car brands whose names begin with the letter “K,” Kia and Knaus stand out. Kia, from South Korea, is famous for its affordable and reliable cars. They offer a wide selection from compact cars to SUVs, each with modern designs and the latest technology.
Knaus may not be as well known outside of Europe, but it specializes in recreational vehicles such as campers and motorhomes. The brand is known for its high-quality mobile homes, which are ideal for travelers.
What car company has the symbol K?
Kia, a major South Korean automaker, is famous for its “K” logo. This brand is well-established in the US and around the world. It offers many vehicles, from small cars to large SUVs, each with modern design, advanced technology, and competitive prices.
Which expensive cars start with K?
Luxury cars whose names begin with the letter “K” include several outstanding models:
- Karma Revero stands out in the luxury electric vehicle market with its sleek design and eco-friendly technology.
- Kia K9, known as the K900 in some markets, is Kia’s flagship luxury sedan. It features a spacious interior, advanced technology, and smooth operation.
- Kia Stinger is a sporty model that offers luxury. It is ideal for those who value high performance and stylish design.
- Koenigsegg represents the pinnacle of hypercars, renowned for their exceptional technology and performance. These cars are among the most exclusive and expensive in the world.
- Keating Supercars specializes in custom, high-performance luxury automobiles. They are designed for those who want unique, highly customizable cars.