Kia Motors posts 8.2% rise in overseas sales in May
Kia Motors posts 8.2% rise in overseas sales in May - 75,474 Kia vehicles sold overseas in May - Sales in Europe, North America and general market post 12%, 6.4% and 5.1% year-on-year growth, respectively, in May (SEOUL) June 1, 2006 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its overseas retail sales of passenger cars and light trucks in May 2006 recorded 75,474 units, representing an 8.2% year-on-year increase. By region, Europe posted year-on-year sales growth of 12% in May with 28,834 units sold. Meanwhile, sales of Kia vehicles in North America and the general market recorded 30,015 units (6.4% year-on-year increase) and 16,625 (5.1% year-on-year increase), respectively. Cumulatively through the first five months of 2006, Kia's overseas sales have risen by 6.2% year-on-year to reach 343,252 units, with Europe showing the largest gain at 9.8%. Meanwhile, the general market and North America have seen sales increase by 4.8% and 3.6%, respectively, from January to May of this year. So far in 2006, Kia's best selling model in export markets has been the C-segment Cerato (also known as 'Spectra' in some markets) with 52,695 units sold. Meanwhile, the popular Sorento mid-size SUV was close behind with 52,260 units sold. Other strong sellers so far in 2006 have been the A-segment Picanto (50,233 units), Sportage compact SUV (43,644 units) and B-segment Rio (43,503 units). Jung-Moon Park, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, "Fresh off the successful world premiere of our long-awaited all-new Carens compact MPV (to be named 'Rondo' in North America) last month, customers around the globe are increasingly recognizing that our highly competitive revamped vehicles offer an unbeatable package of quality, performance, styling, functionality and value." "And with upgraded versions of our C-segment Cerato (Spectra) and premium Oprius sedan (Amanti), as well as a brand new model aimed at European customers to be built at our recently completed factory in Slovakia, all scheduled to be unveiled this year, Kia is poised to continue to win the hearts of customers in foreseeable future," he added. Editor's notes: 1) Figures do not include domestic sales and KD (knock down) exports assembled at overseas plants including China. 2) "General market" includes the regions of Central & South America, Asia & Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Kia Motors Corporation ( <http://autoway.kia.co.kr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.kiamotors.com /> www.kiamotors.com or www.kia.com <http://www.kia.com/> ) -- one of the fastest growing automakers in the world -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world's premier automotive brands. Kia's 12 manufacturing and assembly operations in 7 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 160 countries. Kia today has over 32,500 employees and annual revenues of almost $16 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. From 2007 to 2014, Kia will be an official automotive partner of FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World Cup. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.