Kia Ends Year With Record Sales
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2003; Kia achieved record sales numbers in 2002 with a 6.1 percent increase over 2001. The company sold 14,625 vehicles in December, bringing Kia's year-to-date sales to 237,345."We're very pleased to once again announce a new record for year-end sales for the eighth straight year," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia president and chief executive officer. "Last year marked the launch of our new mid-size SUV, the Sorento, and we're looking forward to an even more successful 2003 as we continue to build brand awareness about our expanded product line and implement our retail enhancement program, Kia Circle of Excellence."
Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.
MONTH OF DECEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE Model 2002 2001 2002 2001 Optima 1,584 2,838 26,793 25,912 Rio 2,502 3,870 51,195 51,541 Sedona 2,185 2,493 39,088 15,070 Spectra 3,734 5,160 72,382 78,835 Sportage 1,904 3,004 39,436 52,369 Sorento 2,716 n/a 8,451 n/a Total 14,625 17,365 237,345 223,727* * This total reflects an additional six company cars that were sold in 2001. Total U.S. Sales of Kia Vehicles 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 January 605 1,227 1,508 2,624 7,197 February 626 1,053 1,887 2,529 6,196 March 638 1,309 2,197 3,093 6,082 April 714 1,256 2,300 3,541 5,530 May 1,010 1,907 3,481 4,917 6,301 June 1,053 1,665 4,401 3,992 9,215 July 1,106 2,662 3,241 5,024 10,095 August 1,368 2,881 4,229 6,321 8,016 September 1,528 2,729 3,780 7,123 7,355 October 1,207 2,437 3,797 5,913 8,634 November 1,156 2,640 3,174 5,317 4,730 December 1,152 2,974 2,279 4,931 3,542 Total 12,163 24,740 36,274 55,325 82,893 1999 2000 2001 2002 January 9,461 8,143 12,513 16,574 February 6,703 11,392 12,665 17,509 March 11,400 12,729 19,159 21,478 April 10,606 12,422 16,060 20,366 May 12,795 13,709 20,048 22,790 June 13,593 16,140 21,188 22,498 July 13,136 12,300 19,405 23,061 August 13,138 16,454 23,276 23,564 September 11,846 16,438 20,585 18,179 October 10,641 13,726 24,523 17,960 November 11,820 12,643 16,940 18,741 December 9,455 14,510 17,365 14,625 Total 134,594 160,606 223,727 237,345