Kia Motors overseas sales rise 25.3% in August

-	Sales in Europe, North America and general market post 49.3%, 13.9% and 18.0% growth, respectively year-on-year in August
-	29.1% cumulative overseas sales growth achieved through first eight months of year

(SEOUL) September 1, 2005 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its overseas retail sales of passenger cars and light trucks in August 2005 recorded 66,537 units, representing a 25.3% year-on-year increase. 
From January through August of this year, Kia has seen its overseas retail sales jump to 543,210 units with 576,372 vehicles exported. This represents a year-on-year increase of 29.1% in sales and 27.7% in exports.
By region, sales in August 2005 grew by 49.3% in Europe, 18.0% in the general market, and 13.9% in North America compared to the time last year. 
Kia¡¯s performance in overseas markets can be attributed to strong sales of the new Sportage SUV as well as continued robust sales of the C-segment Cerato (also known as the ¡®Spectra¡¯), Sorento SUV, and A-segment Picanto. Furthermore, sales of the recently launched all-new B-segment Rio sedan and hatchback have enjoyed a strong start while the Carnival (also known as ¡®Sedona¡¯) MPV has also continued to be a steady seller worldwide.
According to Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, ¡°Kia Motors continues to be one of steadiest performers in the global automotive industry, experiencing double-digit sales growth in all overseas regions in August.¡±
¡°We are in the midst of the complete regeneration of the Kia lineup and are anxiously looking forward to the world premiere of the new D-segment Magentis (also known as ¡®Optima¡¯ in some markets) this month in Frankfurt. We are confident that this new entry will transform Kia¡¯s fortunes in the D-segment to become Kia¡¯s flagship mid-size executive car,¡± he added.
Editor¡¯s notes: 
1) Figures do not include KD (knock down) exports, which are assembled at overseas plants. 
2) ¡°General market¡± includes the regions of Central & South America, Asia & Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.