KIA MOTORS AMERICA RECORDS 24TH CONSECUTIVE MONTHLY SALES RECORD IN AUGUST
Annual Sales Up 16.6 Percent for the Fastest-Growing Car Company in the U.S. Over the Last Five Years1; Optima Midsize Sedan Surpasses 100,000 Unit Mark for First Time
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IRVINE, Calif., September 4, 2012 – Kia Motors America’s (KMA) scorching summer momentum continued in August and delivered the brand’s 24th consecutive monthly sales record with 50,028 units sold. Sales over the same period last year were up 21.5 percent, and Kia is significantly ahead of last year’s all-time annual sales record pace.
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Kia’s iconic hamsters are back in New Soul Ad Campaign “Bringing Down the House.”–>
Kia’s record-setting August was led by strong performances from the U.S.-built* Optima midsize sedan and Sorento CUV with both topping the 10,000 unit mark for the fourth straight month and Optima became the third Kia vehicle to reach 100,000 annual units in company history. The ongoing popularity of the Soul urban passenger vehicle is a major component of Kia’s 24-month sales streak, and the fourth installment of the iconic hamster advertising campaign titled “Bringing Down the House” is now playing on movie screens nationwide and will make its television debut on MTV’s Video Music Awards on September 6.
“In a short period of time the Kia brand has transformed into a recognized leader in automotive design, and together with our lineup of stylish, fun-to-drive cars and CUVs and memorable marketing initiatives we have achieved another remarkable milestone with our two-year run of monthly sales records,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. “At Kia, we always have given our customers a lot for their money, and with an impressive collection of new vehicles and cutting-edge technologies on tap for 2013, the Kia brand is poised for future growth as we advance value to new levels of sophistication.”
Kia’s Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America’s full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality2 and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking3. Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia KMMG is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company’s best-selling vehicles in the U.S. the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia’s value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America 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 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1 Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending July 2007 and July 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.
2 Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study.
3 Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis.
MONTH OF AUGUST
YEAR-TO-DATE
Model
2012
2011
2012
2011
Rio
3,602
658
29,644
13,602
Spectra
–
–
–
1
Forte
7,300
6,677
54,316
57,259
Optima
13,949
6,157
100,424
49,546
Amanti
–
–
–
1
Sportage
3,097
4,218
27,285
33,520
Sorento
10,529
13,573
78,098
88,613
Sedona
1,360
3,011
13,153
16,842
Rondo
–
–
–
44
Borrego
–
9
–
365
Soul
10,191
6,885
83,889
72,003
Total
50,028
41,188
386,809
331,796