Kia Sales Keep Strong Pace

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 3 -- Kia continued a strong sales pace with an increase of 10.7 percent during the month of November. The company sold 18,741 vehicles in November, increasing Kia's year-to-date sales to 222,720, a 7.9 percent overall increase from the same period last year.

"We're pleased with the pace we're on as we near the end of this year," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Our new mid-size SUV, the Sorento, is quickly becoming one of our strongest selling models in the United States, and we're confident that we'll finish the year with yet another new sales record."

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

                          MONTH OF NOVEMBER               YEAR-TO-DATE

    Model               2002             2001           2002          2001

    Optima             1,483            2,011         25,209        23,072
    Rio                3,868            3,411         48,693        47,671
    Sedona             2,949            2,645         36,903        12,576
    Spectra            4,527            4,940         68,648        73,674
    Sportage           2,584            3,929         37,532        49,365
    Sorento            3,330              n/a          5,735           n/a

    Total             18,741           16,936        222,720       206,358