Seoul - Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its global sales (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) of passenger cars, recreation vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles in April 2008 recorded 129,477 units, representing a 24.7% year-on-year increase.

By region, Kia posted large year-on-year sales increases in general markets (21,130 units sold, a 35.3% year-on-year increase) and Korea (27,413 units sold, a 29.3% year-on-year increase). Sales of Kia vehicles in China, Europe and North America also showed strong growth with 13,045 units (24.7% year-on-year increase), 34,104 units (25.3% year-on-year increase) and 33,785 units (15.2 % year-on year increase) sold, respectively.

Cumulatively through the first four months of 2008, Kia's global sales increased by 15.5% year-on-year and reached 460,364 units. General markets have experienced the largest gain, selling 73,529 units to date representing a 32.9% increase, while the China and Europe markets have showed cumulative year-on-year sales growth of 24.7% (52,543 units sold) and 19.4% (123,309 units sold), respectively. The Korea market has also shown a cumulative year-on-year sales increase of 14.9% (101,824 units sold).

So far in 2008, Kia's best selling model in export markets has been the C-segment Cerato (known as 'Spectra' in some markets) with 68,382 units sold. It is followed by a tight group of three vehicles' sales figures: the C-segment cee'd at 50,023; the B-segment Rio at 48,992; and Kia's Sportage compact SUV at 48,917. The A-segment Picanto is Kia's fifth best selling model in 2008 with 37,281 unit sold.

By vehicle category sold overseas, Kia's passenger cars posted sales of 65,442 units in April, an increase of 25.6% year-on-year. 33,707 RV units were also sold in April, a 22.4% increase year-on-year.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, International Business Division of Kia Motors Corporation, said, "Global sales increased this month across all markets and recorded the strongest year-on-year monthly gain in several years. These results are promising indicators for the second quarter and the rest of the year, and our message to all our dealers is to continue the great work."

Courtesy: Kia Motors Corporation, Korea

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 17 May, 2008 5:34:46 PM IST #