Wed Jun 1, 2011 12:51pm EDT

Kia Motors America Achieves All-Time Record Sales for Third Straight Month

Year-To-Date Sales Up 44.8 Percent; 2011 Soul Posts Best Month Ever

PR Newswire

IRVINE, Calif., June 1, 2011

IRVINE, Calif., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America's (KMA) unprecedented growth trend continued in May with the brand posting its best-ever monthly sales of 48,212 units – a 53.4-percent increase from May 2010, and a 2.4-percent increase over the previous record set last month. KMA's year-to-date sales are up 44.8 percent over 2010, while the brand's U.S. market share climbed to an all-time high on the strength of May sales. The U.S. built* Sorento was Kia's best-selling vehicle for the 17th consecutive month. Demand for the popular Soul urban passenger vehicle remained high in May, exceeding its previous best-ever sales total with 11,157 units sold.

"Kia's record performance this year, and in the last three months, is a testament to our comprehensive and fuel-efficient vehicle lineup, which offers world-class styling and cutting-edge technology to today's discerning shoppers," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "Consumers are increasingly focused on fuel economy, and with Optima Hybrid arriving in showrooms this month and the debut of the 2012 Rio and Rio5 sub-compacts this fall, Kia will offer three vehicles that achieve 40 miles per gallon before the end of the year."

2011 Kia Motors America Product Line

Kia's model year 2011 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV and Sportage CUV, the all-new Optima midsize sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio sub-compact sedan, Rio5 sub-compact hatchback and Sedona minivan.

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 730 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.

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.

* Assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

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<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="bottom">

</td><td colspan="2" valign="bottom">MONTH OF MAY

</td><td colspan="2" valign="bottom">YEAR-TO-DATE

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Model

</td><td valign="bottom">2011

</td><td valign="bottom">2010

</td><td valign="bottom">2011

</td><td valign="bottom">2010

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Rio

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,519

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,334

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">9,979

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">11,932

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Spectra

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">-

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">27

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">1

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">215

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Forte

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">8,129

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">7,299

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">34,831

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">26,000

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Optima

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">7,431

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,394

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">29,518

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">14,572

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Amanti

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">-

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">44

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">1

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">164

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Sportage

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">4,550

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,293

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">20,992

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">7,295

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Sorento

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">-

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">23

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">-

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">757

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">MY'11 Sorento

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">11,936

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">8,166

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">51,765

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">41,413

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Sedona

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,453

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">1,938

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">8,920

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">7,909

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Rondo

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">-

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">374

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">44

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,812

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Borrego

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">37

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">405

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">336

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">2,886

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Soul

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">11,157

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">6,134

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">43,673

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">22,208

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">

</td><td valign="bottom">

</td><td valign="bottom">

</td><td valign="bottom">

</td><td valign="bottom">

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom">Total

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">48,212

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">31,431

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">200,060

</td><td style="padding-right: 6pt; " valign="bottom">138,163

</td></tr></tbody></table>

What happened to the Rondo? Was it discontinued? There wasn't a MY 11 version of the Borrego IIRC.

yes, both have been discontinued.

Look at the Soul!

Kia needs to do for the Optima what they did for the Soul in the marketing department. The Optima has all the goods to be one of the best-sellers.

I saw a new Optima turbo yesterday, it is nice looking car. It looks sleek and more expensive than it is. I also learned that you can get a double sunroof of Merc S-class style in it, that's pretty cool.

the optima is a 20 footer. it looks good at 20 feet, but when you touch it and feel it, then you know why it has a kia badge