Kia Motors America Announces All-Time Sales Record for March

Fastest-Growing Auto Brand in the U.S. Surpasses 50,000 Units-Per-Month Mark for the First Time; Annual Sales Up 31.8 Percent

IRVINE, CA--April 3, 2012: Kia Motors America (KMA) is the fastest growing car company in the United States[1], and the brand's unprecedented momentum reached new heights in March with an all-time best monthly sales total of 57,505, a 30.2-percent increase over the same period in 2011. Kia's historic March performance was driven by strong demand for the brand's two U.S.-built* products, the Optima midsize sedan and Sorento CUV built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), as well as the ongoing popularity of the Soul urban passenger vehicle. With three vehicles surpassing the 10,000 unit mark for the first time in company history, Optima, Sorento and Soul accounted for 67.7-percent of sales in March.

Kia's U.S. sales are up 31.8 percent year-to-date. March marked the first time Kia topped 50,000 units in a single month and the brand's 19th straight monthly sales record. Vehicles that achieve more than 30 mpg accounted for more than 80 percent of sales in March.

"Kia has invested heavily in the U.S. market, and our record-breaking monthly performance demonstrates how far the brand has come in an extremely short period of time with consumers being drawn at an increasing rate to our unique value formula, which includes world-class design, outstanding fuel efficiency, premium features and cutting-edge technologies," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "We are extremely proud that our U.S. assembly plant builds two of our best-selling vehicles, and collectively the Optima, Sorento and Soul demonstrate the powerful potential for the Kia brand with more new products and technologies set to arrive in the next 12 months."

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[2] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[3]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia -- KMMG -- is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. -- the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan[4]. Kia's value- and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America 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 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.
[1] Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending February 2007 and February 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.
[2] Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study
[3] Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis
[4] The Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally --sourced parts.