Kia Strong Sales Continue May Sales Up 14 Percent

IRVINE, Calif., June 3 -- Kia sales continued to register double-digit increases in May. The company sold 22,790 vehicles, outpacing last May's total by 14 percent. Kia's year-to-date sales of 98,717 vehicles are up 23 percent versus sales in the same period last year.

"As a recent transplant from New Jersey to Southern California, I'm torn between rooting for the Nets or the Lakers, however, I have total confidence in Kia's game plan," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia executive vice president and chief operating officer. "After a strong first five months, we're still focused on our goal of a 10 percent sales increase in 2002."

The top-selling Kia model in May was the Spectra with sales of 8,261 units. Among other models, both the Rio subcompact and Optima midsize sedans continued their sales surge. Rio sales totaled 4,280 for the month and Optima sales totaled 4,087.

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

                                 MONTH OF MAY               YEAR-TO-DATE
    Model                     2002          2001         2002          2001

    Optima                   4,087         2,050       15,722         8,883
    Rio                      4,280         5,147       18,300        22,109
    Sedona                   3,431           n/a       14,309           n/a
    Spectra                  8,261         7,162       34,062        30,725
    Sportage                 2,731         5,689       16,324        18,728


    Total                   22,790        20,048       98,717        80,445