Kia Motors America Sets First Quarter Sales Record
Launch of All-New Sportage Compact SUV is Most Successful Effort in Company History
IRVINE, Calif., April 1 -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced a new first quarter sales record of 63,330 units, a 6.6-percent increase over the same period last year, boosted by the company's best March sales ever of 25,722 units, an 8.2-percent increase over the same month in 2004.
Returning to the U.S. market after a nearly three-year absence, the all- new Sportage compact SUV posted strong sales of 3,515 units, the best first full-month sales performance for any new product launch in Kia's history. Meanwhile, sales of the Spectra sedan and Spectra5 hatchback eclipsed 5,000 units for the first time since the completely redesigned products were introduced last spring. The Amanti large premium sedan continues to be a solid performer with more than 1,900 units sold.
"The radical overhaul of the Kia showroom over the last two years has delivered highly competitive vehicles offering tremendous value, safety and convenience, a point only further emphasized by the strong performance of our two newest products," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia Motors America's president and chief executive officer. "After setting a new first quarter sales record, and with the Sportage back in our lineup, I'm confident that 2005 will be another record year for Kia."
Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.
MONTH OF MARCH YEAR-TO-DATE Model 2005 2004 2005 2004 Rio 2,932 2,751 7,556 7,927 Spectra 5,110 3,687 11,398 8,412 Sportage 3,515 13 4,197 34 Optima 4,950 5,005 12,433 12,924 Sedona 4,076 6,986 11,619 13,925 Sorento 3,157 4,309 9,943 12,598 Amanti 1,982 1,018 6,184 3,564 Total 25,722 23,769 63,330 59,384
