Kia Begins Year With Strong Sales; January Sales More Than Double a Year Ago

4 February 1998

    IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 3 -- Kia today announced retail sales of
7,197 vehicles for the month of January, a 64 percent jump over last year's
January sales of 2,624 vehicles.
    "It looks like we're off to a great start in 1998," said Greg Warner,
executive vice president and chief operating officer.  "We had a tremendous
1997: sales were up 65 percent from the previous year and our new market
openings were highly successful.  It looks like this trend is continuing into
the new year."
    Kia now has more than 300 dealerships in 32 states and is expected to be
nationwide by the end of the year.


                                  MONTH OF JANUARY           YEAR-TO-DATE

                              1998          1997         1998          1997

    Model

    Sephia                   5,644         1,492        5,644         1,492
    Sportage                 1,553         1,132        1,553         1,132

    Total                    7,197         2,624        7,197         2,624

SOURCE  Kia Motors America