Kia Motors America says October sales up 45.3% vs. 2008

On the heels of its best quarter ever in company history, Kia Motors America (KMA) on November 3 announced October sales of 22,490 units, a 45.3 percent increase over the same month last year. Year to date sales totaled 261,060, a 7.2 percent increase over the same period last year. October sales were led by the all-new Kia Forte compact and Rio subcompact, selling 4,984 and 4,005 units respectively. The Kia Borrego SUV also sold well, posting its best month ever with 3,919 units.

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 upcoming 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.

                            MONTH OF OCTOBER               YEAR-TO-DATE
                            ----------------               ------------
  Model                      2009      2008               2009      2008
  -----
  Rio                       4,005     2,291             27,238    32,620
  Spectra                     266     3,265             46,960    62,180
  Forte                     4,984       n/a             17,381       n/a
  Optima                    3,075     1,672             33,905    42,450
  Amanti                       51       199              3,607     3,005
  Sportage                  1,146     1,371             40,042    29,224
  Sorento                   1,154     3,101             19,667    23,737
  Sedona                    1,013     1,863             24,730    22,721
  Rondo                       814     1,514             12,545    26,194
  Borrego                   3,919       207              8,685     1,440
  Soul                      2,063       n/a             26,300       n/a

  Total                    22,490    15,483            261,060   243,571