May 2008 Sales: Kia Motors America

[VenSeattle]

Kia Motors America Announces Best Month Ever

June 3 /PRNewswire/

Link to Press Release

IRVINE, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today

announced its best sales month ever for the second consecutive month with

record May sales of 31,047 units, an increase of nine percent over the same

period last year, and year-to-date sales of 129,327 units.

May's record sales were led by Spectra and Optima, which both had their

best months ever with 9,407 and 8,197 units sold respectively, increases of

10.5 and 120.8 percent over same period last year. Rio also continued with

strong sales in its best month of the year at 4,474 units, a 28.6 percent

increase over the same period last year.

"With gas prices continuing to rise, record sales of the fuel-efficient

Spectra and Optima are proof that consumers are recognizing Kia's value now

more than ever," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia

Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "Achieving the best month ever for two

months in a row is the result of enhancement efforts to Kia's brand image

and the Kia dealer network's total endeavors in a difficult market

environment to sell more vehicles."

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm

of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a

complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the

United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record

U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value,

high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on

producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline

"The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is

available at its Web site -- http://www.kia.com. For media information,

including photography, visit http://www.kiamedia.com.

MONTH OF MAY              YEAR-TO-DATE
    Model                     2008         2007         2008         2007
    Rio                      4,474        3,479       17,624       13,067
    Spectra                  9,407        8,512       35,826       30,208
    Optima                   8,197        3,712       21,943       17,675
    Amanti                     182          748          973        4,014
    Sportage                 3,505        4,678       17,251       20,088
    Sorento                  1,695        3,111        9,307       16,073
    Sedona                   2,021        2,500       12,601       21,122
    Rondo                    1,566        1,754       13,802        5,857

    Total                   31,047       28,494      129,327      128,104

[Drew Dowdell]

Wow, what happened with the Optima. Was there a refresh I wasn't aware of?