Kia Motors America Announces January Sales

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced January sales of 22,123 units, highlighted by a strong first-month performance of the brand's first U.S.-built(1) vehicle – the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV – which arrived in showrooms on January 4 and was the brand's best-selling vehicle for the month with 7,398 units sold. January sales represent a 0.1-percent increase over the same period in 2009.

"The all-new Sorento's tremendous early performance is a clear indication that its combination of 'just right' size, design, modern technology and interior features and packaging resonates with consumers," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "The Kia brand is rapidly evolving thanks to innovative designs, and the arrival of the first vehicle from our plant in West Point, Georgia is a significant milestone as we continue to expand our line of vehicles while following the Kia brand tenets of value, quality, safety 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, 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 JANUARY                  YEAR-TO-DATE
                         ----------------                  ------------
    Model                2010         2009               2010        2009
    -----                                              
    Rio                 2,398        1,656              2,398       1,656
    Spectra                47        5,810                 47       5,810
    Forte               3,732          n/a              3,730         n/a
    Optima              3,162        2,198              3,162       2,198
    Amanti                 28          183                 28         183 
    Sportage              762        4,129                762       4,129
    Sorento               473        3,621                473       3,621
    MY'11 Sorento       7,398          n/a              7,398         n/a
    Sedona                928        2,570                928       2,570
    Rondo                 356        1,657                356       1,657
    Borrego               694          272                694         272
    Soul                2,145          n/a              2,147         n/a
    
    Total              22,123       22,096             22,123      22,096

(1) KMMG vehicles are built with U.S. and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE Kia Motors America