Kia December 2009

[Justin Bimmer]

Kia Motors America Announces December Sales

2009 Sales Up 9.8 Percent; Company Achieves 15th Consecutive Year of Increased Market Share

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced December sales of 21,048 units, a 43.7-percent increase over the same month last year, and total 2009 sales of 300,063 units, a 9.8-percent increase over the same period last year. Kia small cars, including Rio, Forte, Forte Koup and Soul led the way in monthly sales volume.

"In the midst of our largest commitment to the U.S. market ever, we have once again prevailed against difficult economic times and a down automotive industry by increasing our market share for the 15th consecutive year," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. "Our new and appealing design evolution paired with our core principles of quality, safety, value and technology will continue to boost our brand into the next decade."

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 launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built(1) at the company's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, will further enhance the lineup and is now arriving in dealerships.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. 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 2009 2008 2009 2008

-----

Rio 3,932 1,785 34,666 36,532

Spectra 65 2,720 47,114 68,465

Forte 4,903 n/a 26,328 n/a

Optima 1,978 1,410 37,527 44,904

Amanti 62 194 3,704 3,614

Sportage 1,127 2,182 42,509 32,754

Sorento 3,136 3,087 24,460 29,699

Sedona 773 1,971 27,398 26,915

Rondo 1,236 1,056 14,206 28,645

Borrego 1,020 239 10,530 1,869

Soul 2,816 n/a 31,621 n/a

Total 21,048 14,644 300,063 273,397

(1) U.S.- and globally sourced parts.