Kia Motors cumulative sales increase 10.1% through November 2008
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Cumulative global sales through November surpass 2007 annual total (1,269,164 units sold in 2007)
Sales in China, Korea and general markets post cumulative year-on-year sales growth of 33.9%, 32.2% and 16.8%, respectively
SEOUL December 10, 2008: Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its cumulative global sales (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) of passenger cars, recreation vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles through November 2008 recorded 1,272,689 units, representing a 10.1% year-on-year increase and surpassing 2007 cumulative sales of 1,269,164 units.
Cumulatively through the first eleven months of 2008, China (134,176 units sold) and general markets (239,785 units sold) have experienced the largest year-on-year gains of 33.9%, and 32.2%, respectively. Cumulative sales increases have also been experienced in Korea (16.8% gain from 288,925 units sold) and Europe (0.7% gain from 315,172 units sold), while North America has experienced a relatively small decrease (6.3% decrease from 294,631 units sold).
Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of the International Business Division, said, "Despite these challenging economic times, Kia has still experienced growth. Through the month of November, Kia surpassed the 2007 cumulative sales figure and has experienced over 10 percent sales growth compared to only 3.5 percent for all of 2007."
In November, Kia announced that 99,731 vehicles were sold globally, a decrease of 13.9% compared to November of 2007. Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in general markets (23,516 units, 15.0% year-on-year increase) and Korea (26,145 units sold, 3.7% year-on-year increase). Meanwhile, in China, Europe and North America, 10,323 (0.8% decrease), 21,862 (33.4% decrease) and 17,885 (33.6% decrease) Kia vehicles were sold in November, respectively.
So far in 2008, Kia's best selling model in overseas markets has been the C-segment Cerato (known as 'Spectra' in some markets) with 178,198 units sold. The B-segment Rio takes second place with 143,392 units sold. Meanwhile the C-segment cee'd and Kia's Sportage compact SUV compete closely for third place with 139,489 and 134,238 units sold, respectively. Rounding out the top five, the A-segment Picanto continues to perform well with 86,658 units sold. 623,008 passenger cars have sold so far in 2008, representing a 14.8% year-on-year increase.
Lee continued, "In November, Kia's compact SUV, the Sportage, was the number one vehicle sold globally, and strategic vehicles such as the cee'd continue to perform well. With the launch of the all-new urban crossover Soul early next year, we are confident that Kia's product portfolio is well positioned to continue to stimulate sales growth in 2009."
