[KIA MOTORS NEWS]Kia Motors surpasses 1 million unit annual global sales in June

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Kia Motors surpasses 1 million unit annual global sales in June

 

-         184,111 Kia vehicles sold globally in June for 16.2% year-on-year
growth

-         June sales in general markets, China, North America and Europe
post year-on-year sales growth of 52.6%, 18.1%, 17.9% and 12.0%,
respectively

 

(SEOUL) July 7, 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 June 2010, recording a total of 184,111 units sold.  This figure
represents a year-on-year increase of 16.2%.

 

In June, Kia posted healthy year-on-year sales increases in all overseas
sales regions: 52.6% in general markets (39,656 units sold), 18.1% in China
(26,663 units sold), 17.9% in North America (37,770 units sold) and 12.0% in
Europe* (35,591 units sold).

 

Cumulatively, through the first six months of 2010, Kia's global sales
surpassed the 1-million unit mark, posting an increase of 34.1% year-on-year
and reaching 1,004,724 units.  China has experienced the highest gain of
75.6% based on sales of 170,977 units to date in 2010. 

 

The remaining regions have all showed cumulative strong double digit
year-on-year sales increases: 57.3% in general markets (214,319 units sold),
26.7% in Europe* (194,664 units sold), 18.5% in Korea (228,189 units sold)
and 16.0% in North America (196,575 units sold).  

 

Kia's best selling model in overseas markets for the month of June was the
C-segment Cerato (known as 'Forte' in some markets) with 33,803 units sold.
The B-segment Rio and Sportage compact SUV follow with 18,413 and 16,827
units sold, respectively.  The Sorento mid-size CUV comes in fourth with
15,322 units sold and the cee'd C-segment vehicle for Europe rounds out the
top five with 12,247 units sold. 

 

In terms of vehicle category sold overseas, Kia's recreational vehicles and
passenger cars achieved year-on-year increases in June of 40.3% (54,543
units) and 14.3% (80,868 units), respectively. 

 

Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, said, "I am encouraged
to see sales of Kia vehicles around the world eclipse the 1 million unit
annual mark faster than ever before in our company's history. All of our
major markets are now gearing up for retail sales of the completely
redesigned and reengineered Sportage CUV, which will certainly add to our
momentum and help continue strong sales for the brand in the second half of
the year." 

 



 



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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) <http://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
CupT. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" --
represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer
expectations through continuous automotive innovation.