News: Kia Motors overseas sales rise 23.2% in June

	

-	Kia sets all-time monthly sales record with 79,116 units sold
-	First half sales in Europe and general market post 61.9% and 37.3% year-on-year growth, respectively
-	A-class Picanto best-selling model overseas in June 

	(SEOUL) July 1, 2005 -- Kia Motors Corporation today announced that its overseas retail sales of passenger cars and light trucks in June 2005 recorded 79,116 units, representing a 23.2% year-on-year increase and an all-time monthly sales record. Meanwhile, exports for the month of June climbed to 80,513 units, marking a 14.2% rise over the same period of last year.
	
	This strong June performance in overseas markets can be attributed to strong sales of the recently introduced new Sportage SUV as well as continued robust sales of the C-segment Cerato (also known as the ¡®Spectra¡¯ in some markets), Sorento SUV, and A-segment Picanto, which was the leading seller in foreign markets in the month of June with 12,232 units delivered. 

	Through the first half of 2005, Kia has seen its overseas retail sales jump to 402,298 units, representing a year-on-year rise of 29.7%. By region, sales in the first six months of 2005 grew by 61.9% in Europe, 37.3% in the general market and 5.7% in North America compared to the same period of last year. 

	Meanwhile, exports for the first half of the year, reached 453,128 units, marking a year-on-year increase of 27.6%. 

	Kia¡¯s robust first half performance was propelled by steady orders for the recently introduced new Sportage SUV, strong sales of RVs as well as full-fledged sales of small passenger cars introduced last year.
	
	Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors, said, ¡°Kia¡¯s first half performance results in overseas markets are proof positive that we are winning over customers around the world with a line-up of vehicles that feature vastly improved design, performance, quality and safety. Thanks to an aggressive product introduction plan that calls for 13 exciting new models between now and 2010, we fully expect to continue our reign as one of the world¡¯s fastest growing major automakers." 
 
1)	Figures do not include KD (knock down) exports, which are assembled at overseas plants. 
2)	¡°General market¡± includes the regions of Central & South America, Asia & Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.


	Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com <http://autoway.kia.co.kr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.kiamotors.com/> ) -- the fastest growing automaker in the world -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea¡¯s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world¡¯s premier automotive brands. Kia¡¯s 16 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 155 countries. Kia today has over 32,000 employees and annual revenues of $14 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup.  Kia Motors Corporation¡¯s brand slogan -- ¡°The Power to Surprise¡± -- represents the company¡¯s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.