Kia Sales Record August

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 4 -- Kia posted its strongest August sales ever, while continuing its pace to meet the overall year's goal of a 10 percent total increase. The company sold 23,564 vehicles in August, their biggest sales month since October 2001. Kia's year-to-date sales of 167,840 vehicles are up 16 percent versus sales in the same period last year.

"We're very pleased to see our year-to-date sales on such a strong pace as we near the end of the third quarter," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia executive vice president and chief operating officer. "With the approaching Sorento midsize SUV launch, we're in great shape heading towards the end of the year."

The top-selling Kia model in August was the Rio with record sales of 7,177 units. Among other models, both the Sedona minivan and Sportage continued their strong pace, selling 4,826 and 4,326 units, respectively.

Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.

                               MONTH OF AUGUST             YEAR-TO-DATE
     Model                    2002         2001         2002         2001
     Optima                  1,390         2,451       21,221        15,376
     Rio                     7,177         4,911       35,404        36,093
     Sedona                  4,826         3,725       28,886         5,182
     Spectra                 5,845         7,861       54,898        53,800
     Sportage                4,326         4,328       27,431        33,863


     Total                  23,564        23,276      167,840       144,314