Kia Teams with Red Bull and Pro Driver Collete Davis for 2019 Forte Campaign

Stung with styling cues from the award-winning Stinger, the all-new 2019 Kia Forte is now arriving in showrooms and Kia Motors America is pulling out all the stops to introduce the world to its most sophisticated compact car ever. Professional race car driver, Collete Davis, stars in a high-flying marketing campaign showing off the Forte’s sporty design, advanced technology and Stinger-inspired driving dynamics in a way the compact class has never seen before.

The campaign includes three, 30-second spots: “Forte vs. Forte”, “Chicken” and “Smoke Machine”. The first spot – “Forte vs. Forte” – features a Forte drift car alongside the production model Forte driven by Davis, one of the most promising and dynamic drivers on the racing circuit today. As Collete speeds down the track she calmly points out the standard 8-inch touchscreen as she takes the production model Forte airborne and sails high above and over the drift car Forte. The spot ends when Davis nails the landing as the announcer says matter-of-factly, “It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense.”

“Kia continues to shock the industry and break the rules and the all-new 2019 Forte is no exception,” said Saad Chehab, vice president of marketing communications, Kia Motors America. “This adrenaline-filled campaign featuring a baby Stinger in a Red Bull suit screams ‘look at me’ even though some may question the idea of a Forte in racing livery, we are delivering an entirely new take on what many people see as simply a daily commuter car. And then again, some are still surprised to learn that Kia has been J.D. Power’s highest ranked non-luxury brand in initial quality for the past four years, but to us and our loyal consumers all of it makes complete sense.”

Kia and Red Bull collaborated on the Forte drift car and are developing a three-part YouTube series hosted by Davis and featuring the Red Bull Driftbrothers, Joe and Elias Hountondji. The series documents the vehicle build from start to finish, including on-track testing. “Kia is fueled by youth and working with Red Bull is a mirror reflection of our youthful attitude and together we are going to showcase the new Forte in never-before-seen ways that are sure to capture attention,” continued Chehab.

Featuring a more sophisticated design and desirable features the 2019 Forte has transformed from a basic commuter into one of Kia’s best-selling vehicles. Thanks to a number of improvements Forte now offers drivers a higher level of comfort and Kia Drive Wise technologies that are aimed at making the journey – whether a short commute or long haul – a more rewarding and decidedly upscale experience. Sporting an overall bolder appearance, the newly designed compact sedan also boasts improved EPA-estimated combined MPG ratings.

There’s also a long-form video – which was shot in one take and captured by seven strategically placed cameras – chronicling Davis’ jump from both in- and outside the Forte.

“As a professional race car driver, I love to drive all types of models and this spot, with the juxtaposition between daily driving and performance was just too fun to pass up,” said Davis. “When you have a passion for driving, even the most mundane errands, the longest commutes or the biggest traffic jams become easier and the all-new 2019 Forte is the vehicle that makes all the difference in those situations.”