Kia Motors America Announces October 2004 Sales

Optima Reports Its Best Month Ever, Leading Kia to a 51.3-Percent Increase in Month-Over-Month Sales

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 2 -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced monthly sales of 22,973 units for October 2004 representing a 51.3-percent increase over the same month in 2003. Kia's year-to-date sales of 226,644 represent an 11.8-percent increase over 2003.

"It doesn't get any better than this," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia Motors America's president and CEO. "A couple of weeks ago we previewed several new products at our dealer show to resounding applause, and now we head into a traditionally sluggish season for the industry with another record month."

The Optima mid-size sedan set a new 2004 monthly sales record of 6,158 units sold. The Sorento mid-size SUV and the Sedona minivan also reported impressive monthly gains. Sorento posted a 79.2-percent increase, while the Sedona was up 31.4-percent over the same month in 2003.

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                     2004         2003         2004         2003
  Optima                   6,158        2,193       42,021       27,496
  Rio                      1,815        4,622       33,664       34,570
  Sedona                   3,890        2,961       53,858       43,336
  Spectra/Sephia           4,517        2,701       38,159       57,815
  Sportage                     4           29           64        5,565
  Sorento                  4,793        2,675       44,732       33,941
  Amanti                   1,796          N/A       14,146          N/A

  Total                   22,973       15,181      226,644      202,723