IRVINE, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA), the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, congratulates the winners of the four season-end awards that are part of the NBA Performance Awards presented by Kia Motors for the 2007-08 season: Sixth Man Award winner, Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs; Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics; Most Improved Player, Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic; and Most Valuable Player, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers.
"When Kia teamed up with the NBA to become the league's Official Automotive Partner, one of the most exciting aspects of our relationship was the opportunity to recognize and celebrate excellence and achievement on the court with the NBA Performance Awards presented by Kia Motors," said Tim Chaney, director, marketing of Kia Motors America. "As a brand associated with providing value through its dynamic vehicles, it is a natural fit for Kia to recognize the immense value of these on court performances."
Kia Motors will donate an all-new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger mid- size SUV on behalf of each NBA Performance Award winner to the charity of the winner's choice. The following charities will benefit from the donations:
* San Antonio - Roy Maas Youth Alternatives on behalf of Manu Ginobili
* Boston - Boston Center for Youth and Families on behalf of Kevin
Garnett
* Orlando, Fla. - Parramore Kidz Zone on behalf of Hedo Turkoglu
* Los Angeles - East Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club on behalf of Kobe
Bryant
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site -- http://www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit http://www.kiamedia.com.
About the NBA
The NBA, founded in 1946, is a global sports and entertainment brand that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During the 2007-08 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in 41 languages. The league's worldwide reach is also reflected in the 76 international players from 31 countries and territories on NBA rosters. Domestically, the NBA broadcasted 142 regular-season games on national television last season on ABC, TNT, ESPN and ESPN2.