Kia Motors America Announces 12th Consecutive Monthly Sales Record

Year-to-Date Sales up 39.4 Percent and on Pace to Surpass Kia's All-Time Best U.S. Annual Sales Total in Less Than Nine Months

IRVINE, Calif., September 1, 2011 - Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced best-ever August sales of 41,188 units, a 26.9-percent increase over the same period last year and the company's 12th straight monthly sales record. Kia's design-led transformation has led to unprecedented growth, and with year-to-date sales up 39.4 percent, KMA is on pace to shatter its previous best-ever annual sales total in September.

August sales were once again led by the U.S.-built¹ Sorento CUV, which posted its all-time best sales – 13,573 units – for the second-consecutive month. The critically acclaimed Optima midsize sedan also was a strong performer – 6,157 units – on the eve of the start of U.S. production at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). The popularity of the funky Soul urban passenger vehicle and Forte compacts also fueled the August sales record.

"Kia has achieved new sales records each month for a full year and has become one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. due to significant increases in consumer awareness, perception and consideration of the brand created by our diverse and exciting lineup of cars and CUVs," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "Last year, Kia surpassed sales of 350,000 vehicles for the first time and we will break that record in less than nine months and continue expanding our market share by offering vehicles such as the recently launched Optima Hybrid and the upcoming Rio 5-door, which begins arriving in dealerships in September. Both vehicles greatly appeal to today's consumer by achieving 40 miles per gallon and offer an unbeatable combination of style, technology, performance, safety and value."