Kia America has made good on its mission to “accelerate the good.”

The automaker announced its Accelerate the Good Dealer Match program raised a total of $4.6 million for nonprofit organizations in 2024, including donations totaling more than $1.5 million each to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and No Kid Hungry.

The initiative between the company and its nationwide network of dealers, in its fourth year, was created to provide support for a wide variety of causes throughout the U.S.

“At Kia America, our commitment to community remains strong,” Kia North America and Kia America president and CEO SeungKyu Yoon said. “Our Accelerate the Good initiative continues to provide meaningful support to those in need. We are especially proud to continue our support of the lifesaving efforts of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and No Kid Hungry, and the meaningful work of dozens of other nonprofit organizations nationwide.”

In a news release, the company said its 2024 donations went to the American Red Cross, Covenant House, Operation Homefront, the Petfinder Foundation, the No Kid Hungry Campaign, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Toys for Tots.

Kia said it also partnered with local organizations nationwide, including food banks, children’s hospitals and shelters.

The donations are part of more than $30 million contributed to organizations since Accelerate the Good was launched in 2019. The initiative also includes employee-led volunteer efforts such as food pantry service, beach cleanups, clothing drives and supplying art kits to hospitalized children.

Kia said it continues to invest in long-term impact through scholarships for underserved students and grants supporting environmental innovation, ocean conservation and animal welfare.

Zeigler Auto Group Acquires Jeep Franchise from LaFontaine

Zeigler Auto Group now has the full Stellantis set in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The dealership group announced it has acquired the acquisition of a Jeep franchise from LaFontaine Auto Group and will incorporate it into its headquarters and flagship dealership.

The former LaFontaine Jeep Kalamazoo is moving just a quarter-mile down Stadium Drive from its previous location to join what was Zeigler Chrysler Dodge RAM of Kalamazoo. The combined store has been renamed Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Kalamazoo.

“This strategic acquisition from LaFontaine, another respected family-owned business, strengthens our commitment to providing a streamlined, one-stop automotive experience for our customers,” Zeigler president and CEO Aaron Zeigler said. “Our goal has always been to deliver the ultimate automotive experience, and bringing Jeep into our Stadium Drive location allows us to do just that, more conveniently than ever.”

Zeigler said the move aligns with the company’s continued growth strategy, which includes recent acquisitions in Indiana and Wisconsin to broaden its dealership footprint.

Zeigler currently operates 84 franchises in41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, as well as a standalone used-car store, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, a leasing firm and Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park that offers 19 powersports brands.