IRVINE,
Calif.,
June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- With a diverse line-up of
fuel-efficient, stylish and fun-to-drive vehicles that is attracting more new
customers to its showrooms, Kia Motors America's (KMA) momentum continued with
best-ever May sales of 51,771 units, a 7.4-percent increase over the same period
last year. Year-to-date sales are up 18.7 percent, and May also saw the sale of
Kia's four millionth vehicle in the U.S. (since entering the market in 1994) and
extended the brand's run of consecutive monthly sales records to 21.
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Vehicles that
achieve more than 30 mpg on the highway[2] accounted for 78 percent of sales in
May, while sales of the fuel-efficient 2012 Rio subcompacts, which can deliver
up to 40 miles per gallon[3] on the highway, increased 59.5 percent over the
same period in 2011. The record-setting May performance was driven by strong
demand for the brand's two U.S.-built* products � the Optima midsize sedan and
Sorento CUV built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) � as well as the
ongoing popularity of the Soul urban passenger vehicle.
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"Kia has
experienced dramatic growth over the past few years, and our record-breaking
momentum continues as we gather industry-wide recognition for reliability, low
cost of ownership, increased residual values and outstanding brand loyalty,"
said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "Our line of
fuel-efficient vehicles combines cutting-edge technologies with world class
design to create a standout value formula, and we'll have more new products and
technologies arriving in showrooms within the next year."
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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[4] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[5]. 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.
