Kia Motors Posts 4.3% Rise in N.A and Europe Sales in February

(SEOUL) March 3, 2006 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its
overseas retail sales of passenger cars and light trucks in February 2006
recorded 59,640 units, representing a 4.3% year-on-year increase. 

 

By region, Europe continued its steady growth with 22,651 units sold in
February for a 7.3% rise over the same period of last year. Meanwhile, sales
of Kia vehicles in the general market and North America recorded 14,334
units (3.8% year-on-year increase) and 22,655 (1.7% year-on-year increase),
respectively.

 

Cumulatively through the first two months of 2006, Kia's overseas sales have
risen by 5.8% year-on-year, with Europe showing the largest gain at 10.0%.
Meanwhile, the general market and North America have seen sales increase by
3.0% and 3.5%, respectively through the first two months of the year.

 

So far in 2006, the Sorento SUV has been Kia's top selling model overseas,
with 17,766 units delivered, followed by the Sportage SUV, with 16,566 units
sold in January and February. Passenger cars like the A-segment Picanto,
B-segment Rio and C-segment Cerato ('Spectra' in some markets) continue to
be robust sellers overseas, posting sales of 16,029, 15,622 and 15,090 units
sold, respectively, in the first two months of the year 

 

Jung-Moon Park, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors
Corporation, said, "Having just received an enthusiastic reception for the
short-wheelbase version of the Carnival ('Sedona') MPV and an upgraded
version of our best-selling Sorento SUV, which were unveiled at the Geneva
Motor Show, the year 2006 promises to be another solid period of growth for
the Kia brand across all markets. 

 

"And with two more upgraded for 2006 models -- Opirus ('Amanti') large sedan
and C-segment Cerato ('Spectra'), the completely redesigned Carens compact
MPV and a completely new C-segment 5-door vehicle to be revealed later this
year, we are eager to continue to surprise customers with improved quality,
styling, and performance of our regenerated product line-up," he added. 

 

Editor's notes: 

1)  Figures do not include domestic sales and KD (knock down) exports
assembled at overseas plants including China. 

2)   "General market" includes the regions of Central & South America, Asia
& Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

 

 

Kia Motors Corporation (
<http://autoway.kia.co.kr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.kiamotors.com
/> www.kiamotors.com or www.kia.com <http://www.kia.com/> ) -- one of the
fastest growing automakers 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 12 manufacturing and assembly operations in 7 countries
produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced
through a network of distributors and dealers covering 160 countries. Kia
today has over 32,500 employees and annual revenues of over $15 billion. It
is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide
sponsor of the Davis Cup. From 2007 to 2014, Kia will be an official
automotive partner of FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World 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.