Kia Motors America Announces Best February Sales Ever

IRVINE, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the brand's best February sales ever of 24,052 units, a 9-percent increase over the same period last year and 2.3-percent over the previous February sales record of 23,512 set in 2007.  February sales were led for the second consecutive month by the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, which hit dealerships nationwide in early January and is the brand's first U.S.-built vehicle(1).  Sorento posted sales of 8,207 units, an 11-percent increase over January.  

"In addition to being our best-selling vehicle for the second month in a row, the all-new Sorento also is bringing new, more affluent customers into our showrooms and indicates the growing interest in the Kia brand," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).  "Having recently celebrated the grand opening of Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, Sorento's strong performance validates the investments Kia has made in the U.S. market as more and more consumers are recognizing our commitment to quality, safety, design, value and technology."

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 at the company's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, builds on the momentum established in 2009 with the introduction of the Soul urban passenger vehicle and the Forte compact sedan and two-door Forte Koup.

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 FEBRUARY      YEAR-TO-DATE
                                      -----------------      ------------
    Model                               2010      2009      2010      2009
    -----  
    Rio                                1,949     1,072     4,347     2,728
    Spectra                               55     2,772       102     8,582
    Forte                              4,333       n/a     8,064       n/a
    Optima                             2,471     2,433     5,633     4,631
    Amanti                                38     1,360        66     1,543
    Sportage                           1,088     2,783     1,850     6,912
    Sorento                              159     3,598       632     7,219
    MY'11 Sorento                      8,207       n/a    15,605       n/a
    Sedona                               978     6,211     1,906     8,781
    Rondo                                465     1,339       821     2,996
    Borrego                              709       471     1,403       743
    Soul                               3,600        34     5,745        34
    Total                             24,052    22,073    46,174    44,169

(1) KMMG vehicles are assembled in the United States from U.S.- and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE Kia Motors America