As the official car manufacturer among the NBA’s advertising partners, it didn’t come as any shock when Kia named Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James as the brand ambassador for the new K900.
Prior to hiring James as Kia K900 endorser, the Korean company also had Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers endorse the Optima. And with James having signed a multi-year partnership deal, he will be appearing in several “Fit for a King” commercials, the first of which is set to premiere during the kickoff of the 2014-15 NBA season. Not much is known about these ads ahead of their debut, but Kia has been aggressively promoting the K900 as its “most ambitious” ever.
James was chosen to endorse the Kia K900 after he had spoken to the carmaker about its flagship luxury sedan and lavished praise on the vehicle. “This partnership is about the power of great style and performance,” said James in a press statement. “Kia and the K900 are out to challenge conventional wisdom and show people how to think differently, and I can relate to that. For me, a partnership has to be authentic and real to who I am, and that’s what makes this one so special.”
The Kia K900 is powered by a V8 engine rated at 420 horsepower and 376 lb/ft. torque, and costs a rather hefty $60,400, a premium price in relation to Kia’s lineup but still quite affordable for a luxury sedan. A more affordable V6 variant is set to be released within the coming months.