July 2013: Kia Motors America

[William Maley]

Kia Motors America Reports All-Time Best July Sales

• Cadenza Premium Sedan Tops 1,000 Units for Second Consecutive Month; U.S.-Built* Optima is Best-Seller for 20th Straight Month

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today reported record July sales of 49,004 vehicles, a 1.9-percent increase over the same period in 2012. Following the launch of the national marketing campaign for the all-new 2014 Cadenza, the flagship sedan surpassed the 1,000 unit mark for the second time. Accounting for more than 40 percent of Kia's July sales, KMA's U.S.-built* vehicles once again take the top sales honors as the Optima midsize sedan was the brand's best seller for the 20^th consecutive month with 13,752 units sold, and the Sorento CUV enjoyed sales of 9,576 vehicles. The Soul urban passenger vehicle also recorded strong monthly sales of 10,160 units.

"Awareness of our latest new products, including the redesigned 2014 Sorento CUV and all-new Cadenza and Forte sedans on sale now, continues to rise and elevate Kia's reputation as a value leader that provides more style, equipment and amenities for the money," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "More new products are on the horizon, and these vehicles will continue to advance value to new levels of sophistication by combining world-class design with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities and affordable pricing to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers."

The record-setting month of July also witnessed three Kia vehicles -- the 2013 Optima, Rio and Soul -- ranked at or near the top of their respective segments within the J.D. Power 2013 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The Soul gained recognition as the top "Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle" in the category for the second year in a row, while the Optima and Rio came in second in the "Midsize" and "Sub-Compact" car segments, respectively.