New Kia Sportage from Kia Motors Slovakia Attracts

ZILINA, SLOVAKIA – June 28, 2010: Kia Motors Slovakia has launched the volume production of the new compact sport-utility model, the Kia Sportage SL. In 2010, the company plans to produce about 35,000 units of this model for export to Europe. The car component supplies are provided by manufacturers from the Slovak Republic, other European countries, the U.S. and Korea. The new vehicle will strengthen the position of Kia brand in Europe and ensure the increase of production volume for the plant. The company plans to produce more than 200,000 cars this year. "Spacious and practical Kia Sportage is our next step forward. The adjustment of production lines and installation of technologies for its production was realized from the beginning of the year and the trial production went smoothly. On July 28, we are launching the volume production in which we focus on quality, productivity and efficiency. We believe to fulfill our production plan and new Kia Sportage will become our key product on the European market," said In-Kyu Bae, President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia. "New Kia Sportage is fresh and bold. It embodies Kia new-found visual dynamism by successfully taking the key features of an off-road vehicle – the raised ground clearance, the commanding driving position and heightened sense of security – and enveloping them in a sleek and urban-friendly design with global appeal. With its athletic and muscular design the Sportage fits its name perfectly," said Peter Schreyer, Kia’s chief design officer.

Kia Sportage is suitable for the city traffic as well as the countryside driving and it presents an ideal choice for young modern families. This environmentally friendly sport-utility vehicle is equipped with the ISG system which reduces the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while the car stops and starts in the city traffic. Low air resistance was achieved with car body axis, which ensures even the fuel consumption decrease at higher speeds. The new model is available with 2.0-litre gasoline (120 kW) and two 2.0-litre diesel (100 kW, 135 kW) engines for customers, later 1.6-litre gasoline as well 1.7-litre diesel engines will be also available. The car with a length of 4.4 m in the harsh beauty combines with elegance. It is produced in 10 colors. A new feature is a unique, drawing the attention, orange color called Techno Orange. The car has a sophisticated braking system, through which you can maintain control and constant speed even down the steep hill. While parking an automatic parking system is very helpful. When a driver finds a suitable parking, switches the button, and the car will automatically moves to the selected place, the driver only controls the speed of the car. Longer wheelbase created more space for passengers. Kia Sportage cargo capacity is among the best in class and ranges from 564 liters with the rear seats occupied to 1,353 liters with the rear seats folded down. Kia Sportage was officially introduced to the public in March 2010 at the 80th year of the International Motor Show in Geneva. The trial production of the new model was launched in March this year and the production of the previous generation was completed in May 2010. In overall, the plant produced more than 105,000 units of this model. Kia Motors Slovakia is one of five largest exporters in the Slovak Republic. It currently employs more than 2,800 employees in two-shift operation and three-shift engine production operation which was launched in September 2009.