For the iF product design award 2011, the organizers received 2,756 submissions from 43 countries for products registered in 16 categories. Kia Sportage and Kia Optima won in the category "Transportation Design".

One of the main focuses in this year's awards was on the participants' brand image. In addition to design quality, the jury also recognised a number of other criteria, including workmanship, level of innovativeness, eco-friendliness, ergonomics and safety.

'These latest awards for the all-new Kia Sportage and Optima are positive proof of the tremendous strides Kia has made in revolutionising the styling of our product line-up,' said Tae-Hyun Oh, senior vice-president & chief operating officer, Kia Motors Corporation.

'Our global management team's focus on design since the mid-2000s is now clearly paying dividends, and, in conjunction with the rapidly improving quality of our vehicles, Kia's enhanced brand reputation is being driven by the stunning designs being created by our design teams around the world, led by chief design officer Peter Schreyer.'

Last year the Kia Venga was awarded both the iF design prize and red dot award, while the Kia Soul has also previously received the red dot award.