Kia has proved its eco-friendly credentials by being awarded three environmental certificates by TÜV Nord, an independent German technical inspection organisation.
The awards are for three of its newest models - the Kia Picanto, Rio and Optima.
The low CO2 emissions, and the advanced manufacturing processes used in their production, resulted in all three models being certified according to the ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
MotorMania will be driving the new Rio in Spain this weekend and promises a quick report-back and impressions after driving the range's new vehicle.
The LCA inspection examines the environmental impact of both the car and its overall manufacturing process throughout the course of its lifetime.
It does this by taking into account factors such as choice of materials, engine exhaust emissions and recycling.
"Kia models continue to receive recognition from a wide range of independent industry organisations across the globe - for the quality and efficiency of production methods, for achieving the highest levels of safety and for striking designs," said Benny Oeyen, vice-president of marketing and product planning, Kia Motors Europe.
"Kia is deeply committed to minimising its vehicles' impact on the environment, and this latest honour follows similar awards for the striking new Sportage and for our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Zilina," Oeyen said.
All three Kia models accredited this month offer competitive running costs and, in the case of the all-new Rio B-segment hatchback, the lowest CO2 output (from just 85g/km) of any vehicle currently on sale in Europe.
Kia's manufacturing facility in Zilina was certified in 2008 as an "environmentally-friendly" facility, earning an ISO 14001 international certificate of environmental management.
The plant employs cutting-edge technology to ensure that production and waste management have a minimal impact on the environment.
The Kia Sportage compact CUV, which is manufactured at Zilina as well as in Korea, was also awarded LCA status by TÜV Nord in 2010.
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