Kia Posts Best July Ever; July and Year-to-Date Sales Up 19 Percent

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 1 -- Kia continued its impressive sales increases in the month of July, despite slowing by the industry as a whole. The company sold 23,061 vehicles, outpacing last July's total by 19 percent. Kia's year-to-date sales of 144,276 vehicles are also up 19 percent versus sales in the same period last year.

"We're elated to continue seeing such strong sales numbers," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia executive vice president and chief operating officer. "As we prepare to launch our most exciting vehicle ever, the Sorento midsize SUV, we're expecting to see our sales numbers continue to stay on track to meet our goal of a 10 percent increase in 2002."

The top-selling Kia model in July was the Spectra with sales of 6,520 units. Among other models, both the Sedona minivan and Rio subcompact continued to record increases. Sedona sales totaled 5,218, the best month ever, and Rio sales totaled 5,421.

"With this strong sales pace at the end of the model year our inventories are getting low, which may impact our August sales," said Butterfield. "But we expect to be back on pace in September."

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

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

    Optima                   1,821      1,772             19,831     12,925
    Rio                      5,421      4,323             28,227     31,182
    Sedona                   5,218        794             24,060      1,457
    Spectra                  6,520      7,654             49,053     45,939
    Sportage                 4,081      4,862             23,105     29,535

    Total                   23,061     19,405            144,276    121,038