Kia Motors Australia Caps Off a Strong First Quarter

SYDNEY – April, 2010: Kia Motors Australia has continued its strong start to 2010 posting year-to-date sales figures which are up 27.8% when compared to the same period last year according to March VFACTS figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

A total of 2,117 new Kia vehicles were sold in March bringing its year-to-date total sales to 5,638 units.

Kia's next generation design and engineering is being well received in showrooms around Australia with the latest two model releases the Cerato Koup and the Sorento 4WD demonstrating strong growth in their respective segments.

The sporty Cerato Koup since being introduced to the Australian market in September 2009 is climbing its way up the Sports Vehicle less than $80,000 segment. It finished the quarter in third place in terms of monthly sales, year to date sales and year on year percentage growth.

Similarly the new look Sorento made a move in the ever competitive SUV market finishing the month up 104.5% on March 2009 and 89.9% on year-to-date figures. When combined with the compact Sportage the duo finished the quarter fifth in the SUV year-to-date percentage growth stakes.

Rounding out the stellar performances was the Kia Carnival range which once again managed to dominate in an increasingly competitive segment - the People Movers under $55,000. In a segment which saw a total first quarter sales increase of 37.3% the Carnival range managed to secure 32.1% of March sales and 31.3% of market share so far this year.

Mr. MK Kim, President & CEO of Kia Motors Australia expressed his excitement at the encouraging results, "The continued increase in sales demonstrates that buyers recognise that something really positive is going on at Kia, with new products, sensational equipment, strong safety, low cost of ownership and unlimited-kilometre, 5-year warranty for private buyers making a Kia purchase a smart choice."

Kia Motors Australia is looking forward to continuing its revitalisation of the product line-up during 2010, with Rio and Carnival range upgrades in the first half of the year before the launch of the all-new Sportage early in the second half of the year.

2010 will also see the release of two more models, the 5-door Cerato hatch and Optima which recently debuted at the New York International Auto Show. Both vehicles are due to be launched during the fourth quarter in Australia.