Main field of activity is the production of vehicles for commercial applications. Kia Motors was founded in 1944 as Kyongseong Precision. n 1990 the company's name was changed to Kia Motors Corp. Hyundai Motor took over Kia Motors in 1998. Kia Motors is also a pioneer in design and development of military vehicles. More specifically 1/4 ton utility vehicle, the KM420 Utility Vehicle, KM421 NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle, KM422 Tow Missile Launcher Carrier, KM423 Tow Missile Carrier, KM424 106mm Recoilless Rifle Carrier and KM425 K-4 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher Carrier which are the variants of KM420 standard jeep are under development and were in mass production at the end of 2001. Also produces the KM45 Series of 4x4 Trucks, the KM25 Series of 6x6 Trucks and the KM100 Series of 8x8 Vehicles.