KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES RECORD OCTOBER SALES
Company press release.• Annual Sales Up 17.8 Percent; Optima and Sorento Top October Sales
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2012 - Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced best-ever October sales with 42,452 units sold, a 12.6-percent increase over the same period in 2011. October once again saw KMA's U.S.-built* vehicles – the Optima midsize sedan and Sorento CUV – take the top sales honors. Kia's year-to-date sales are up 17.8-percent over 2011. Awareness, perception and consideration for the Kia brand continue to improve through a series of high-profile partnerships and initiatives. In October, Kia debuted a new Optima ad campaign featuring NBA superstar and brand ambassador Blake Griffin, and unveiled four Justice League superhero-inspired custom cars at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. 'The Kia brand continues to grow and mature in the U.S. market and with seven all-new and refreshed vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013, including the all-new 2014 Forte sedan and redesigned Sorento that will be unveiled at this month's Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia will continue its efforts to advance value to new levels of sophistication,' said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. * The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. Kia's Unprecedented Growth Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality 1 and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking 2 . Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.
