Kia is now using Retainagroup’s laser system to mark and register its cars on the International Security Register (ISR).

The South Korean manufacturer’s cars have been protected against theft by Retainagroup on all its cars since 1994.

“Kia has always recognized that overtly marking glass with our unique code and 24-hour telephone number, with vehicle and owner details recorded on the ISR, is a major deterrent to vehicle theft,” said Retainagroup managing director, Wendy Rowe.

“But instead of using stencils and special marking fluid, Kia is now using our in-house developed laser system which reduces the etching time to just 40 milliseconds per mark. It’s very easy to use as well as being totally safe,” adds Rowe.

Security marking and ISR registration of all Kias, including the latest Picanto and recently launched Cee’d models, is done at the company’s import centre at Killingholme on the north Lincolnshire coast.

Last year, over 35,800 Kias were registered in the UK, with the Cee’d now being built in Slovakia. Glass marking and ISR registration is provided by Kia at no additional cost to customers.

Kia is one of 14 UK manufacturers providing Retainagroup marking and ISR registration as standard and joins Toyota, Lexus and Skoda in using the laser marking system.