Kia Sales Keep Pace to Meet Yearly Goal

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1 -- Kia continued its pace to meet the company's goal of a 10 percent yearly sales increase despite slower sales during the month of October. The company sold 17,960 vehicles in October, increasing Kia's year-to-date sales to 203,976, a seven percent overall increase from the same period last year.

"While consumer confidence declined this past month, we're still on track to meet our 10 percent sales increase for the year," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia executive vice president and chief operating officer. "We're confident that the October launch of our new Sorento mid-size SUV, and the new customers we're now seeing at our dealerships, will enable us to meet our 2002 sales goals."

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

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

    Optima               1,194        3,019            23,726        21,062
    Rio                  4,430        4,205            44,825        44,260
    Sedona               2,214        2,620            33,954         9,932
    Spectra              4,642        7,740            64,118        68,734
    Sportage             3,316        6,939            34,948        45,436
    Sorento              2,164          n/a             2,405           n/a

    Total               17,960       24,523           203,976       189,424