Kia Motors America Announces December Sales

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced December sales of 21,048 units, a 43.7-percent increase over the same month last year, and total 2009 sales of 300,063 units, a 9.8-percent increase over the same period last year. Kia small cars, including Rio, Forte, Forte Koup and Soul led the way in monthly sales volume.

"In the midst of our largest commitment to the U.S. market ever, we have once again prevailed against difficult economic times and a down automotive industry by increasing our market share for the 15th consecutive year," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. "Our new and appealing design evolution paired with our core principles of quality, safety, value and technology will continue to boost our brand into the next decade."

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. The launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built(1) at the company's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, will further enhance the lineup and is now arriving in dealerships.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) 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 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com

                    MONTH OF DECEMBER            YEAR-TO-DATE
                    -----------------            ------------
    Model            2009          2008        2009        2008
    -----
    Rio             3,932         1,785      34,666      36,532
    Spectra            65         2,720      47,114      68,465
    Forte           4,903           n/a      26,328         n/a
    Optima          1,978         1,410      37,527      44,904
    Amanti             62           194       3,704       3,614
    Sportage        1,127         2,182      42,509      32,754
    Sorento         3,136         3,087      24,460      29,699
    Sedona            773         1,971      27,398      26,915
    Rondo           1,236         1,056      14,206      28,645
    Borrego         1,020           239      10,530       1,869
    Soul            2,816           n/a      31,621         n/a

    Total          21,048        14,644     300,063     273,397

(1) U.S.- and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE Kia Motors America