Kia Motors America Announces All-Time Record Sales
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August Sales of 40,198 Units Shatter Previous All-Time Record
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 1 -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced all-time record monthly sales of 40,198 in August, up 37 percent over July and 60.4 percent year over year from August 2008. Offering an array of standard technology features, the highly stylized and popular all-new 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle and all-new 2010 Forte compact sedan helped attract buyers to the brand, as did an increase in foot traffic through dealerships nationwide due in part to the government-sponsored C.A.R.S. program. August sales were led by the Kia Sportage and Kia Optima, selling 7,558 and 7,461 units respectively.
"Our relative market share increase tied to the vehicles included in the C.A.R.S. program is among the top three brands in the industry," said Tom Loveless, vice president of sales, KMA.
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time. The all-new 2010 Forte and Forte Koup, which replaced the Spectra, Kia's best-selling model, further reinforces the design revolution brought on by the all-new, award-winning 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle. The Soul began changing consumer perception of Kia as soon as it arrived in showrooms this spring, from a brand known for delivering safe and fuel efficient vehicles at a tremendous value to one now combining those attributes with modern technologies and eye-catching design. These new vehicles have attracted discerning and smart shoppers to Kia showrooms and have contributed to the brand's continued upward momentum as the brand continues to gain market share in the U.S. The upcoming launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the first vehicle to be built at the company's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, will further enhance the lineup.
"The C.A.R.S. program attracted new customers to Kia; those that didn't necessarily want or need a new car, but were enticed by C.A.R.S. to buy a car that would last," said Loveless. "These buyers, often with better credit, are a solid sign of a significant positive change in brand perception and a tribute to the entire Kia vehicle line."
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
MONTH OF AUGUST YEAR-TO-DATE
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Model 2009 2008 2009 2008
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Rio 6,961 3,590 20,422 28,258
Spectra 3,619 6,170 46,232 55,037
Optima 7,461 3,807 24,844 38,873
Amanti 81 214 3,509 2,643
Sportage 7,558 2,845 36,958 26,132
Sorento 1,121 3,041 17,659 17,473
Sedona 1,346 886 22,420 19,210
Rondo 1,259 3,508 11,078 22,038
Borrego 992 1,004 4,099 1,041
Soul 5,751 n/a 21,778 n/a
Forte 4,049 n/a 7,948 n/a
Total 40,198 25,065 216,947 210,705