Kia global sales increase by 24.1% in July

At a time when most car manufactures are struggling to sell cars, Kia Motors reported that it sold 122,230 cars and commercial vehicles in July 2008 recording an impressive 24.1% year-on-year increase. Cumulatively, through the first seven months of 2008, Kia’s global sales increased by 16.9% compared to the same period in 2007 and reached 839,384 units. So far in 2008, Kia’s best selling model in other markets has been the Cerato (Spectra in overseas market) with 124,058 units followed by the Rio at 94,340 units, the Cee’d at 91,857 and the Sportage SUV at 87,547 units.

By region, Kia posted significant gains in China with an increase of 114.1% in July and 42.7% from the beginning of the year, and in Korea with +37.5% in July and 18.5% during the first seven months of 2008. Sales increases were also significant in Europe and North America (+8.4% and +3.5%) and Europe (+6.2% and +12,4%).

Kia also had its best U.S sales with an increase of 5% over the same period last year. The Sportage had its best month of the year with 4,035 units, a 6.2% increase over the same period last year, while Spectra had strong sales of 5,910 units. Rio and Optima both had increases of 22.1% and 49.1% respectively over the same period last year with 3,707 and 6,258 units sold.

“For the fourth month in a row Kia has achieved record sales, something rare for the auto industry in 2008. During this difficult economic time, consumers are looking for quality vehicles that are fuel efficient and offer great value – for this they are heading to Kia dealerships.” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).

MONTH OF JULY YEAR-TO-DATE

Model 2008 2007 2008 2007

Rio 3,707 3,035 24,668 19,275
Spectra 5,910 5,773 48,867 42,927
Optima 6,258 4,196 35,066 24,977
Amanti 339 248 2,429 4,588
Sportage 4,035 3,801 23,287 27,958
Sorento 3,175 4,342 14,432 22,881
Sedona 2,004 3,073 18,324 23,258
Rondo 2,556 2,222 18,530 12,218
Borrego 37 n/a 37 n/a

Total 28,021 26,690 185,640 181,082

Dear readers, I apologise if the information is confusing. I have tired my best to sort out the information above into a table but it keeps on resetting.