[KIA MOTORS NEWS] Kia Motors posts 62.9% increase in January global sales

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Michael Choo (  mjc@kia.co.kr),
International Communications Manager, Kia Motors Corporation, Tel:
+82-2-3464-5663

Kia Motors posts 62.9% increase in January global sales

-          150,392  Kia vehicles sold globally in January

-          January sales in China, general markets, Korea, Europe, and North
America, post year-on-year sales growth of 235.2%, 61.1%, 54.2%, 52.4%, and
2.6%, respectively

-          C-Segment Forte (Cerato) best selling Kia vehicle in January



(SEOUL) February 10, 2010 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today its
global sales figures for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales, and
sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs), and commercial
vehicles for January 2010, recording a total of 150,392 units sold. This
figure represents a year-on-year increase of 62.9%.



By region, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in China (35,904 units
sold, a 235.2% year-on-year increase), general markets (30,727 units, a
61.1% year-on-year increase), Korea  (34,007 units sold, a 54.2%
year-on-year increase), Europe (25,216 units sold, a 52.4% year-on-year
increase), , and North America (24,538 units, a 2.6% year-on-year increase).



In January 2010, Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets has been the
C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets) with 33,499 units
sold. Kia’s B-segment Rio and Sportage compact SUV compete for second with
15,503 and 14,259 units sold, respectively. The Sorento mid-size SUV comes
in fourth with 11,190 units sold, and the Picanto concludes the top five
with 8,729 units sold.



In terms of vehicle category sold overseas, Kia’s passenger and
recreational vehicles achieved year-on-year increases in January of 72.0%
(72,674 units) and 57.5% (40,065 units), respectively.



Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, said “It is
encouraging that we were able to continue Kia’s rapid momentum of 2009 and
get off to a fast start in 2010. Our ongoing ‘glocalization’ efforts are
further propelling the brand as our new state-of-the-art manufacturing
facility in Georgia, USA is ramping up production of the all-new Sorento
while the built-in-Europe Venga is now in showrooms across Europe.”












Top 5 Selling Cars Overseas


Monthly

Model

January Sales Figure


　

　

　


1

Cerato/Forte

33,499


2

Rio

15,503


3

Sportage

14,259


4

Sorento

11,190


5

Picanto

8,729





Editor’s notes:



*Includes figures from Western and Eastern European markets



**General markets includes the regions of Central and South America, the
Caribbean, Asia (excluding China), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa



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Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the
young-at-heart -- 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. Over 1.5 million
vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in
eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of
distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Kia today has over 42,000
employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$14.6 billion. It is the
major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of
FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World Cup(tm). Kia Motors
Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the
company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through
continuous automotive innovation.