The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Kia December 2016 And 2016 Annual U.S. Sales


PHOTO

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 4, 2017 -- Capping off an historic year that saw the Kia brand collect more third-party awards and accolades for quality and reliability than ever before, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced all-time best annual sales of 647,598 vehicles in 2016, up 3.5 percent over 2015. The year concluded with best-ever fourth quarter sales, including the highest December total in company history of 54,353 units.

Kia's record-breaking year included several standout performances, including:

  • Four nameplates – Soul, Optima, Sorento and Forte – surpassing the 100,000 unit mark for the first time in company history
  • The iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle earning the title of best-selling Kia in the U.S.
  • Best-ever annual sales for the Sportage compact CUV and Forte family of compact cars, up more than 50 percent and 30 percent, respectively, over 2015
  • Double digit year-over-year increases for Rio and Sedona

"From J.D. Power and Consumer Reports to many other respected third-party experts, Kia has never been more highly rated for quality and dependability, and customers flocked to our showrooms in December and throughout 2016 to experience all that the 'New Kia' offers," said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KMA. "No auto brand has experienced greater growth in the U.S. over the last 20-plus years, and Kia will be on the offensive once again in 2017 with several new products in the pipeline that will continue challenging everything people think they know about this brand, starting with a major world debut next week in Detroit."

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. Recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand, Kia proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and crossovers built at North American manufacturing plants in West Point, Georgia* and the municipality of Pesqueria in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.


MONTH OF DECEMBER

YEAR-TO-DATE

Model

2016

2015

2016

2015

Rio

1,269

997

28,700

23,742

Forte

7,560

5,411

103,292

78,919

Optima

12,572

13,682

124,203

159,414

Cadenza

428

598

4,738

7,343

K900

80

162

834

2,524

Sportage

6,207

6,044

81,066

53,739

Sorento

11,782

12,872

114,733

116,249

Sedona

2,028

2,316

44,264

36,755

Soul

12,427

12,159

145,768

147,133

Total

54,353

54,241

647,598

625,818