Optima-istic Start To The Year For Kia

SYDNEY – February 4, 2011: Kia Motors Australia has literally launched into the new year, unveiling the all new Optima at the Australian Tennis Open in the middle of January.

Optima joined Cerato, Rio, Soul and Carnival to provide Kia’s passenger vehicle fleet with a strong start up 12.7% compared to January 2010 in a local market which was down .1%.

Leading the charge was the Kia Carnival with its 238 sales in the People Movers under $40,000 representing 34.9% of the market share.

Rio also had a strong start to the year with its 675 sales resulting in a 17% increase on January 2010 figures.

The new Cerato hatch and Cerato sedan combined to be up 28.4% for the month compared to the same period last year.

“We added two new vehicles to the fleet last year and upgraded five others. That trend will continue in 2011 as the new Kia design DNA and latest technology becomes available,” said Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Tony Barlow.

“In January we unveiled the all new Kia Optima. With its head turning looks and a long list of safety features and creature comforts, this is another step in Kia’s new journey. All new and current models will continue to receive input from the Australian product team to make sure that every Kia product meets the high standard demanded by the Australian public.”

In the competitive SUV market Kia Sorento made a sales gain of 51.7% during January compared to the same month in 2010.