Kia Motors posts 2.7% increase in September global sales

Sales in general markets, Korea, China, Europe and North America post year-on-year sales growth of 45.7%, 19.5%, 10.9%, -12.4%, -22.8%, respectively

(SEOUL) October 14, 2008: Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its global sales (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) of passenger cars, recreation vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles in September 2008 recorded 110,431, representing a 2.7% year-on-year increase.

By region, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in general markets (25,851 units sold, a 45.7% year-on-year increase), Korea (24,322 units sold, a 19.5% year-on-year increase) and China (11,012 units, a 10.9% year-on-year increase). Meanwhile, in Europe and North America, 28,091 (a 12.4% year-on-year decrease) and 21,155 (a 22.8% year-on-year decrease) Kia vehicles were sold in September, respectively.

Cumulatively, through the first nine months of 2008, Kia's global sales increased by 14.4% year-on-year and reached 1,062,379 units. China (112,502 units sold) and general markets (193,773 units sold) have experienced the largest gains of 38.1%, and 37.0%, respectively. Cumulative year-on-year sales increases have also been experienced in Korea (a 16.3% gain from 229,171 units sold) and Europe (a 7.8% gain from 268,595 units sold), while North America demonstrated a slight decrease (0.4% decrease from 258,338 units sold).

So far in 2008, Kia's best selling model in overseas markets has been the C-segment Cerato (known as 'Spectra' in some markets) with 154,929 units sold. It is followed by a close group of three vehicles: the B-segment Rio at 121,896 units, the C-segment cee'd at 116,097 units and Kia's Sportage compact SUV at 111,870 units. The A-segment Picanto rounds out the group with 74,915 units sold.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of the International Business Division, said, "The total volume of sales remains solid across all markets, even considering the uncertain economic times we are facing. During the first nine months, Kia Motors has performed strongly in all markets, particularly through our significant gains achieved in China and general markets. Entering the final quarter, we will continue to monitor the global sales patterns prudently."