Kia Sedona Tops Honda Odyssey With New Buyers-Earns AutoPacific 2002 Vehicle Satisfaction Award

IRVINE, Calif., April 23 -- The 2002 Kia Sedona received more accolades today as AutoPacific, Inc., a top automotive consulting firm, announced the winners of its 2002 Vehicle Satisfaction awards. Sedona earned top honors in the minivan segment, beating the Honda Odyssey and collecting Kia's first-ever win in the annual survey. More than 34,000 new car and light truck buyers were surveyed about their 2002 vehicles in the annual review.

The AutoPacific VSS (Vehicle Satisfaction Score) study is an industry benchmark for determining new vehicle buyer and lessee satisfaction. VSS ratings survey overall satisfaction with vehicles as well as with more than 40 aspects important to a vehicle's purchase, design, operation, comfort and safety.

``We are extremely pleased to be providing owner satisfaction that is on par with many luxury brands,'' said Peter Butterfield, Kia's executive vice president and COO. ``The Sedona continues to prove itself as a worthy contender in the competitive minivan segment.''

The Vehicle Satisfaction Survey award comes on the heels of a major safety award. The Kia minivan recently was awarded with an all-around five-star crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government's highest safety award.

Sedona sales continue to be strong month after month, while Kia sales overall topped many major brands in calendar year 2001, making it the ninth largest import brand in America.

Kia Motors America is the sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea. For more information, visit www.kiamedia.com .