Kia Motors posts 6.3% rise in overseas sales in March
Kia Motors posts 6.3% rise in overseas sales in March - 78,966 Kia vehicles sold overseas in March - Sales in Europe, general market, and North America post 7.1%, 9.9% and 3.5% year-on-year growth, respectively, in March (SEOUL) April 3, 2006 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its overseas retail sales of passenger cars and light trucks in March 2006 recorded 78,966 units, representing a 6.3% year-on-year increase. By region, Europe continued its steady growth with 32,666 units sold in March for a 7.1% rise over the same period of last year. Meanwhile, sales of Kia vehicles in the general market and North America recorded 17,100 units (9.9% year-on-year increase) and 29,200 (3.5% year-on-year increase), respectively. Cumulatively through the first three months of 2006, Kia's overseas sales have risen by 5.7% year-on-year, with Europe showing the largest gain at 8.8%. Meanwhile, the general market and North America have seen sales increase by 4.6% and 3.4%, respectively, through the first three months of the year. So far in 2006, Kia's RV models have led the company's growth, posting a 21.3% increase in overseas sales compared to the first three months of last year. Meanwhile, the Sorento SUV was the company's leading seller from January through March of 2006, with 29,449 units sold. Other popular selling models overseas through the first quarter of the year include the A-segment Picanto (27,902 units), Sportage compact SUV (26,538 units) and the B-segment Rio (26,461 units). Jung-Moon Park, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, "The enthusiastic reception of our RV models in overseas markets including MPVs and SUVs has been a driving force behind the booming success of the Kia brand in recent years." "And with the short-wheelbase version of the all-new Carnival, upgraded Sorento SUV and the completely redesigned Carens compact MPV (to be named 'Rondo' in North America) all scheduled for release later this year, we expect that our improved line-up of RVs will offer the quality, styling, performance and functionality that the world's customers demand." 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 almost $16 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.