Kia Motors, South Korea’s second-largest automaker run by Hyundai Motor Group, said Wednesday it has won innovation awards in Germany for its K5 hybrid vehicle.

Also known as the Optima hybrid in some foreign markets, the car won Plus X Awards in four areas ― High Quality, Design, Ease of Use and Ecology ― out of a total seven categories, according to Kia officials.

The German prize, handed out to products based on their level of innovation as judged by professionals and journalists in related fields, has been given out annually for the past 11 years.

Kia has been rolling out fuel efficient and eco-friendly vehicles in recent years, with the hybrid version of the carmaker’s K5 passenger sedan introduced earlier in 2011.

In Europe, Kia Motors has sold a combined 1,800 of the K5 hybrids since 2012.

Along with the country’s No. 1 carmaker and sister company Hyundai Motor, Kia will launch plug-in hybrid electric versions of its popular midsize sedans in 2015, according to officials. (Yonhap)