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Kia Motors America Sets All-Time May Record

IRVINE, Calif., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the brand's best May sales ever of 31,431 units, a 20.6-percent increase over the same period last year, while surpassing the previous May sales record of 31,047 set in 2008. Year-to-date sales are up 14.6-percent with the all-new Sorento CUV again leading the way as Kia's best-selling vehicle. As the brand's first vehicle to be assembled(1) in the U.S. and recently announced as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) "Top Safety Pick," the Sorento posted sales of 8,166 units. The stylish Forte compact achieved a record 7,299 units sold while the personalizable and affordable Soul urban passenger vehicle delivered sales of 6,134 units; both recent IIHS "Top Safety Picks."

"May's record-breaking sales results were once again led by Sorento, which is a clear indication that its combination of distinctive design and standout modern technology features is attracting new consumers to the Kia brand," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "Our continued brand growth in the U.S. supports an aggressive launch schedule of several all-new, dramatically styled Kia vehicles that will build on eye-catching models such as Sorento, Soul and Forte that have created emotional connections with consumers."

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. With three new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology such as UVO powered by Microsoft®(2), an advanced hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. beginning in summer 2010).

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) 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 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

                                     MONTH OF MAY       YEAR-TO-DATE
                                     ------------       ------------
    Model                            2010    2009     2010     2009
    -----
    Rio                             2,334   1,680   11,932    9,274
    Spectra                            27   7,896      215   30,066
    Forte                           7,299      10   26,000       10
    Optima                          2,394   2,322   14,572   11,058
    Amanti                             44     224      164    3,202
    Sportage                        2,293   4,409    7,295   15,867
    Sorento                            23   1,701      757   14,547
    MY'11 Sorento                   8,166     n/a   41,413      n/a
    Sedona                          1,938   1,937    7,909   17,632
    Rondo                             374   1,530    2,812    8,371
    Borrego                           405     496    2,886    2,169
    Soul                            6,134   3,855   22,208    8,363
    Total                          31,431  26,060  138,163  120,559

(1) Kia vehicles assembled at the Kia U.S. plant are assembled in the U.S. from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

(2) Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

SOURCE Kia Motors America