Kia ads: Join the cool crowd; New campaign aims at getting rid of low-price image.(Marketing)

Byline: Mary Connelly

The cool kids are doing it - and you can, too. That's the thrust of the new advertising campaign from Kia Motors America.

The Korean brand wants to throw off its geeky low-price image. It seeks to join the in-crowd of automakers known for vehicles with distinctive design, driving and safety features.

The ad campaign suggests "it is a smart decision to buy a Kia, and other people are making the same choice,'' says Ian Beavis, Kia's vice president of marketing. "There is a sense of community building about the brand.''

Kia has "reached a tipping point,'' Beavis told Automotive News.

"We are starting to attract …