Kia Motors America Announces All-time Record Sales

KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES ALL-TIME RECORD SALES

August Sales of 40,198 Units Shatter Previous All-Time Record

IRVINE, Calif., September 1, 2009 Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced all-time record monthly sales of 40,198 in August, up 37 percent over July and 60.4 percent year over year from August 2008. Offering an array of standard technology features, the highly stylized and popular all-new 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle and all-new 2010 Forte compact sedan helped attract buyers to the brand, as did an increase in foot traffic through dealerships nationwide due in part to the government-sponsored C.A.R.S. program. August sales were led by the Kia Sportage and Kia Optima, selling 7,558 and 7,461 units respectively.

Our relative market share increase tied to the vehicles included in the C.A.R.S. program is among the top three brands in the industry, said Tom Loveless, vice president of sales, KMA.

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time. The all-new 2010 Forte and Forte Koup, which replaced the Spectra, Kias best-selling model, further reinforces the design revolution brought on by the all-new, award-winning 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle. The Soul began changing consumer perception of Kia as soon as it arrived in showrooms this spring, from a brand known for delivering safe and fuel efficient vehicles at a tremendous value to one now combining those attributes with modern technologies and eye-catching design. These new vehicles have attracted discerning and smart shoppers to Kia showrooms and have contributed to the brands continued upward momentum as the brand continues to gain market share in the U.S. The upcoming launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the first vehicle to be built at the companys first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, will further enhance the lineup.

The C.A.R.S. program attracted new customers to Kia; those that didnt necessarily want or need a new car, but were enticed by C.A.R.S. to buy a car that would last, said Loveless. These buyers, often with better credit, are a solid sign of a significant positive change in brand perception and a tribute to the entire Kia vehicle line.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline The Power to Surprise.

Kia Motors America is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA. Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

MONTH OF AUGUST
YEAR-TO-DATE
Model
2009
2008
2009
2008
Rio
6,961
3,590
20,422
28,258
Spectra
3,619
6,170
46,232
55,037
Optima
7,461
3,807
24,844
38,873
Amanti
81
214
3,509
2,643
Sportage
7,558
2,845
36,958
26,132
Sorento
1,121
3,041
17,659
17,473
Sedona
1,346
886
22,420
19,210
Rondo
1,259
3,508
11,078
22,038
Borrego
992
1,004
4,099
1,041
Soul
5,751
n/a
21,778
n/a
Forte
4,049
n/a
7,948
n/a
Total
40,198
25,065
216,947
210,705

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