The history of the automotive industry is very interesting. It demonstrates not only the speed and degree of growth of this type of production but also of all humanity. Observing how, where and what happened from the very beginning – from the appearance of the very idea of creating the first car to the latest mass models and developments of the future, one can get an idea of the prospects for the automotive industry. The timing of future changes and directions in which cardinal changes can be expected shortly. In addition, such information will be interesting and useful to motorists and enthusiastic people for whom a car is not just a means of transportation, but a favorite hobby – a hobby, the meaning of their own life.
What car brands that start with k ?
For convenience, this information has been 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.” Considering that many brands were created over the entire period of the existence of the automotive industry in the world, whose period of existence was very short. Their activities did not differ in any important features; the created list includes only the manufacturers who most influenced the development of the industry and all humanity as a whole.
Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors is one of the leading South Korean car companies. Founded in 1944 as a bicycle manufacturer, it has grown to become the world’s largest automaker. Today it has covered all European markets, entered the Japanese market, and is already the leader in sales of its equipment in the USA. Having merged with Hyundai in 1998, the brand significantly expanded its capabilities and sales markets. Currently, Kia’s main products are passenger cars and SUVs. All products are presented by cars of different categories – from small cars to large and expensive models. The company also develops hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.
Keinath
Created by Horst Keinath in Germany, the Keinath brand began production in 1983 to create convertibles. The pel Monza, Opel Ascona, and Vauxhall Cavalier Mark 2 lines have been developed and produced. Among the original models, the sports version with a hardtop – the GTR – stands out. Having modernized it, using a V8 LS with 5.7 liters as a power plant, the brand began to produce it in large quantities already in 2000. The brand continues its independent and successful activity to this day.
Koenigsegg
Swiss Koenigsegg was founded in 1994 by 22-year-old Christian von Koenigsegg. With her help, he decided to realize his dream of producing exclusive supercars in luxury performance for wealthy motorists. This goal was achieved, and the company’s success ensured the rapid development of the brand. The main production difference was the individual production of each car according to the customer’s conditions and its adjustment together with the owner himself. The line of serial Koenigsegg CCRs in 2005 was recognized as the fastest (388 km/h). Almost all cars of the brand have received a high international rating.
Kaiser
Throughout the American automotive industry history, Kaiser Industries has been remembered as one of the leading manufacturers in the industry’s golden age. Founded in Michigan by two passionate natures, Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Frazer, it has since become the foundation upon which several brands were born. In 20 years, the company has managed to produce several original passenger cars with various body designs – sedans and hatchbacks, hardtops and Jeep, and a compact economy-class sedan. Production of the Jeep in civilian and military versions brought it worldwide fame, and Darrin became the first sports car in America’s history to be made with fiberglass. In 1963, the brand already had a new name – Kaiser Jeep, sold to American Motors.
Koenig Specials
Being engaged in tuning cars, the German brand Koenig Specials has become widely known among the owners of expensive and luxurious cars. Tuning several exclusive Ferrari models, including a complete overhaul of the Ferrari 348 in the 1980s, the developers added two turbos to this model. Thus, the brand created a lot of controversies around itself and around its works, which became the reason for the company’s popularity. However, contradictory statements led to the refusal of the company’s specialists from a complete rework of the models of the world’s leading brands, which concentrated on the production of modified individual components.
Kaipan
The Czech Republic also contributed to the history of the global automotive industry by founding a small roadster brand Kaipan. Based on the British Lotus Seven, the Kaipan 47 was the first-ever produced to this day for many years since its first release. Over the entire period of its existence, the brand has released five models that differ in the originality of their body and are equipped with propulsion systems from the leaders of world production – Ford, Honda, or VW. The company continues its activities today.
Kantanka
Among the leaders in the “K” group is an enterprise from African Ghana, founded by Kwadwo Safo in 1992 – Kantanka Automobile. Today it is the most popular brand in Africa, specializing in licensed vehicle assembly and production of its vehicles. Its production group includes sedans, eight models of four-wheeled vehicles of various categories. It is approached not only by civilians but also by government agencies of various African countries to assemble, customize military and armored vehicles. One of the important additional directions of the brand is the development and production of combat exoskeletons.
Kieft
Briton Cyril Kieft founded Kieft Cars, known as a manufacturer of sports racing cars. The world-famous Formula 1, Formula Three, came off the company’s assembly line, which made the brand historically important for the automotive industry. But besides this, the company was one of the first to use fiberglass as a material for manufacturing body elements in its sports series of models. But in 1954, the brand was sold, and its new owner refocused the company on tuning. After six years, it was sold again, and the new owner was renamed Burmans.
Kaditcha
Australia was represented in the global automotive industry by the successful auto brand – Kaditcha, founded by Cleveland engineer Barry Lock of McLaren. Its main focus was the production of racing cars with open wheels and sports models, which provided the peak of the brand’s success in the mid-80s of the last century. Techniques designed and produced by Kaditcha included Formula 5000, Formula Pacific, and Australian Formula 2. But the most famous was the Kaditcha K583. It was the first car in the A Sports group to feature a closed top and a “ground effect” design – an aerodynamic effect that creates downforce. Subsequently, the model received a different name – Romano WE84 after winning Bap Romano on it in 1984 by ASCC.
Karmann
Wilhelm Karmann GmbH has been the largest German automobile manufacturer for over a hundred years, representing the production of Germany. Founded back in 1901 by Wilhelm Karmann, it focused on manufacturing components, tuning, and design for automotive leaders – Volkswagen, Mercedes, Porsche, Nissan, Renault, Ford, and Chrysler brand own car models. The VW Karmann Ghia Type 14 sports roadster released in 1953 stands out for its best performance and original design. In 2010, the brand ceased to exist and was acquired by Volkswagen.
Keller
Huntsville, US is the birthplace in 1947 of the Keller Motors Corporation, which had a short but vibrant industrial life. It was founded based on Bobbi Motor Car Corp, originally a project of this company. Its president was Williams, who was succeeded in early 1947 by George D. Keller. The brand’s trademark was the Keller car, which was a Bobbi-Kar restyling. The world saw 18 pieces of this model. The premature death of George D. Keller in 1950 caused the production to close.
Kish Khodro
Iran has also contributed to the formation of automotive world history. The products of his Kish Khodro, founded in 1995, are known all over the world. The company was controlled by Mohammad Saffari, who held 51% of the shares. Bank of Industry and Mine and Kamran Naghdi, Managing Director of British BMS Automotive Ltd. The series production line was launched in 2000. The first model of the Iranian brand was the Sinad car, which used a power plant from Renault. Its development was carried out by engineers from BMS Automotive Ltd. 1800 units were sent to production.
Kissel
Hartford, Wisconsin, is the home of The Kissel Motor Car Company, a family-owned commercial vehicle manufacturer. Louis Kissel and his sons, George and William June 5, 1906. Fulfilling individual orders in the initial period of its development, the brand produced various equipment, including hearses, fire trucks, taxis, trucks. During the First World War, the brand was engaged in manufacturing military trucks and ambulances, 30 of which were sent to help Serbia in 1915. But the Great Depression significantly worsened the situation in the car market, and already in 1942, the company ceased to exist.
Kleinschnittger
German automotive brand – Kleinschnittger, from 1950 to 1957, was engaged in the production of microcars. Among them, the city cars Kleinschnittger F125 were in particular demand. Equipped with subcompact single-cylinder engines, developing speeds of up to 70 km / h, they were distinguished by their economy – consumption of 3 liters per 100 km and had a light aluminum body. There is information that the brand had production in Belgium, where it produced a model called Kleinstwagen, and in the Netherlands – like Alco. The company closed in 1957.
Knox
An American automobile brand based in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States – Knox Automobile Company was a leading automobile manufacturer in the early days of automotive production. In the period from 1900 to 1914, he produced small cars, built 15 cars a year. The 1904 two-seater models had an iron frame and weighed 839 kg and side springs. The original vehicle had three wheels. Different versions of the models also provided for the front position of passengers with the driver behind them. After 1914, the company began manufacturing tractors and trucks, ending production in 1924. Their most famous product was the air-cooled engine, the Old Porcupine.
Korvensuu
Finnish automakers have also left their mark on the history of the global automotive industry. Frans Lindström has set up a small custom car manufacturing company. It was the first company in the country in this area. The 1913 Korvensuu car was not intended for mass production. This model was supposed to demonstrate the brand’s capabilities and draw attention to the production itself. With a ten hp air-cooled engine, the car was meant for two people. The few Korvensuu vehicles that were released were almost completely lost over time.
Kenworth
Another world representative of the American automotive industry, founded by George T. Gerlinger in Kirkland, Washington, the United States, in 1912, is Kenworth. Its production was focused on the production of trucks of medium and heavy class 8. As a subsidiary of Paccar – which produced transit and school buses, Kenworth significantly expanded the distribution area of its and its parent products. Today, truck tractors, truck chassis, and dump trucks are produced in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. And Paccar has become a transnational corporation.
KTM
Based in Mattighofen, Austria, the motorcycle, bicycle, and supercar company KTM was founded in 1934 by Hans Trunkenpolz, a specialized engineer. It all started with a metalworking workshop. In its “piggy bank,” the brand has recorded a light streetcar powered by an Audi engine. In its production, the Dallara chassis was used. The model was named X-Bow. The model, which can accommodate two people, has become especially popular as an urban family car. Today KTM is a renowned manufacturer of road bikes, constantly expanding its range of two-wheeled vehicles.
Karma Automotive
In 2015, Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang Group opened Karma Automotive in Costa Mesa, California, in the United States. After it acquired all assets, including projects, a hybrid plug-in powertrain, and a factory, due to the bankruptcy of Fisker Automotive (founder of Henrik Fisker), the brand made the production of electric vehicles its main focus. In 2016, the plant was put up for sale, and production of the luxury electric Revero began, which is expected to be produced in 3,000 units.
Keating
Founded in 2016 in Manchester, England, United Kingdom, and still operating today, Anthony Keating, which received his name, is known for its Supercars. The brand has released four models – SKR, TKR, ZKR, and Bolt – a road version designed for American motorists. Its name is a tribute to the University of Bolton, UK, which the founders graduated from and received an MBA in Business in 2012. Anthony’s long-term plans to create a high-speed model – Keating Bolt- together with university students, which will exceed the current speed record for civilian vehicles of 330 km/h.
Kamaz
Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan, Russia – the city and country where the famous brand of trucks and engines, KAMAZ, was launched in 1976. It was erected by the forces of all countries, making the enterprise a shock 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 the foundry, Renault (France) – the project of the engine plant, “Liebherr” (Stuttgart, Germany) – manufacture of gearboxes. It was based on two model lines, ZIL-170 (6 × 4) and ZIL-175 (4 × 2). Today the 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 assembly of the equipment produced under his name is carried out at the factories of Italy, United States. It is headquartered in Los Angeles and funded by Beijing-based International Automotive Technologies. Her $ 2 million SUV of the same name, which amazed the world, is a huge hall on wheels equipped with armchairs, a coffee maker, a large bar, and a huge plasma. It is a small batch model that will be made to order to make individual adjustments.
King Long
Another Chinese automotive brand that deserves a place on this list is King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd, founded in 1988. It was founded in Xiamen, Fujian, China, by the Chinese corporation Fujian Motors Group. The company’s main activity is the development, production, and sale of large luxury buses, which are in great demand outside the country. In addition, the brand makes mid-size buses and light vans that are low-cost and highly durable. Today, five series of products are released from the production lines of the company, divided into 50 categories.
Which expensive cars start with K?
The most luxurious cars beginning with the letter K are Karma Revero, Kia K9, Kia Stinger, Koenigsegg, Keating Supercars.
