December 2008 Sales: Kia Motors America

[VenSeattle]

Kia Motors America Announces December Sales

Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/

Link to Press Release

Rio, Optima, and Rondo Sales Each Up More Than 9 Percent for 2008

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced December sales of 14,644 units with 2008 sales of 273,397 units. Passenger cars have led the way in 2008, with Rio, Optima and Rondo all posting more than 9-percent increases for the year. December sales were led by Sorento posting an 88.7-percent increase over the same period last year.

2009 Product Line

Kia Motors America offers a dynamic and diverse product line of 11 vehicles to meet the needs of all lifestyles. The 2009 vehicle line features the functional Rondo CUV and award-winning Sedona minivan along with a wide variety of popular passenger cars, including the refined Amanti full size sedan, purposeful Optima mid size sedan, versatile and compact Spectra and Spectra5, and sporty yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The vehicle line also features the all-new and affordably luxurious Borrego, rugged Sorento and value-packed Sportage SUVs. The Soul will further complement the lineup when it arrives in dealerships this spring.

About Kia Motors America

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. 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 - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

                   MONTH OF DECEMBER             YEAR-TO-DATE
    Model           2008        2007          2008          2007
    Rio            1,785       2,910        36,532         33,370
    Spectra        2,720       6,688        68,465         73,474
    Optima         1,410       3,235        44,904         40,901
    Amanti           194         125         3,614          5,522
    Sportage       2,182       5,109        32,754         49,393
    Sorento        3,087       1,636        29,699         36,300
    Sedona         1,971       2,493        26,915         40,493
    Rondo          1,056       1,872        28,645         26,020
    Borrego          239         n/a         1,869            n/a

    Total         14,644      24,068       273,397        305,473