Kia Motors posts 7.4 % global sales growth in August

(Dubai) September 10, 2012 – Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for August 2012, recording a total of 212,405 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 7.4%.

In August, Kia posted strong year-on-year sales increases of 22.8% in North America (57,710 units sold); 22.2% in Europe* (41,006 units sold); 2.3% in general markets* (43,790 units sold) ; and 0.2% in China (37,821 units sold). Meanwhile, August sales in Kia’s home market of Korea decreased by 12.4% (32,708 units sold) year-on-year.

Cumulatively through the first eight months of 2012, Kia’s global sales have increased by 11.1% year-on-year to reach 1,788,054 units. Europe, North America and China have experienced the highest cumulative gains to date in 2012 of 24.8% (377,427 units sold), 17.1% (441,472 units sold), and 12.3% (309,471 units sold), respectively.

Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets for the month of August was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) with 36,427 units sold. The Sportage compact CUV was the second best seller with 28,988 units delivered, while the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets), D-segment Optima sedan and Sorento mid-size CUV followed with 27,946; 23,553; and 19,134 units sold, respectively.

Tae-Hyun (Thomas) Oh, Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “We are pleased to have posted continued sales growth in August, especially in North America, where Kia Motors America has reached 24 months of consecutive sales records. Europe has also performed particularly well thanks to European produced models like cee’d and Sportage. We believe our participation at this month’s Paris Motor Show will positively enhance our growing momentum for the Kia brand in the region.” 

Editor’s notes: 

* ‘General markets’ include the regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China and Korea), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa. ‘Europe’ includes both Western and Eastern European markets.

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