KIA MOTORS AMERICA RECORDS BEST THIRD QUARTER AND 25TH CONSECUTIVE MONTHLY SALES RECORD IN SEPTEMBER
Annual Sales Up 18.4 Percent for the Fastest-Growing Car Company in the U.S. Over the Last Five Years1
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IRVINE, Calif., October 2, 2012 – Kia Motors America (KMA) is the fastest growing car company in the United States and the brand’s unprecedented momentum reached new highs in September, achieving a record third quarter and the 25th consecutive month of record sales, reaching 48,105 units, a 35.1-percent increase over the same period in 2011. September once again saw KMA’s U.S.-built* vehicles take the top sales honors. The Optima midsize sedan sold 14,304 units and the Sorento CUV enjoyed sales of 10,066 vehicles. The Soul accounted for 9,467 units sold, bolstered by the recent launch of the “Bringing Down the House” advertising campaign featuring the music-loving Kia hamsters and the dance anthem “In My Mind” (Axwell remix).
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Kia Racing wraps up the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season with thrilling second-place finish at Lime Rock Park–>
Lending credibility to the company’s significant sales increases, Kia Motors Corporation enters the exclusive list of the “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” according to the 2012 study released today by Interbrand, the world’s largest brand consultancy agency. Kia’s remarkable increase in brand value is now estimated at $4.1 billion, which firmly sets the automaker at 87th on the list. This is a 50 percent increase from last year’s estimated brand value and far exceeds the average automotive brand value growth rate of only 11 percent for the year.
“Kia’s product-led transformation together with our successful marketing have elevated Kia’s reputation beyond our bedrock commitment to value,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. “At Kia, we work to understand the needs and expectations of our customers and work to find new ways to enrich their lives, providing the Kia brand with powerful potential as more new products and technologies are set to arrive in the next 12 months.”
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 quality2 and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking3. 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 valueand 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.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
* 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.
1 Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending August 2007 and August 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.
2 Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study.
3 Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis.
MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
YEAR-TO-DATE
Model
2012
2011
2012
2011
Rio
3,171
190
32,815
13,792
Spectra
–
–
–
1
Forte
6,912
5,458
61,228
62,717
Optima
14,304
6,191
114,728
55,737
Amanti
–
–
–
1
Sportage
2,884
3,589
30,169
37,109
Sorento
10,066
11,112
88,164
99,725
Sedona
1,301
2,393
14,454
19,235
Rondo
–
–
–
44
Borrego
–
10
–
375
Soul
9,467
6,666
93,356
78,669
Total
48,105
35,609
434,914
367,405