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Kia Sorento receives top ranking in AutoPacific 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards


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Sorento tops midsize SUV segment

(SEOUL) May 30, 2008 -- The 2008 Kia Sorento is the top ranking midsize SUV in AutoPacific, Inc.'s 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) of the U.S., an industry benchmark for objectively measuring owner satisfaction of new vehicles. In this competitive segment, Sorento received a higher rating than the Hummer H3, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro and Nissan Xterra.

"Sorento's recognition by AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Awards shows that you don't have to spend a lot to be satisfied with your new vehicle purchase," said Tom Loveless, vice president, sales of Kia Motors America (KMA). "In these difficult economic times, it is good to know that you can still purchase an SUV with great amenities, options and standard safety features, and be satisfied with your decision."

The 2008 VSA are based on survey responses from more than 34,000 vehicle owners who purchased a new 2008 model year car or truck between September and December 2007. Respondents rate 46 attributes for importance in the purchase decision and satisfaction after purchase.

The 2008 Sorento was recently recognized in the U.S. by The Car Book as a "Best Bet" in the Midsize SUV category and received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star crash safety rating in all four seating positions.

Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world's premier automotive brands. More than 1.4 million vehicles a year are produced in 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 165 countries. Kia today has over 40,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of almost US$17 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia is an official automotive partner of FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World Cup -- as well as a EUROTOP partner of UEFA. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.