Kia global sales up 2.6% halfway through 2013

Press release

Published July 17th, 2013 - 05:33 GMT

Al Bawaba

Kia Motors Corporation recently announced its global sales figures for the first half of this year. The company recorded a total of 1,383,759 units sold, representing a 2.6% year-on-year increase for the first six months of 2013.

China experienced the highest cumulative gain of 23.1% (291,125 units sold), followed by Europe with 3.7% (296,543 units sold). Korea, North America and general markets (including the regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Pacific, Middle East and Africa) experienced cumulative decreases of 5.3% (226,404 units sold); 4.3% (313,976 units sold) and 1.3% (255,711 units sold), correspondingly.

“Halfway through the year Kia is still posting positive sales results, and we are particularly pleased with the strong sales momentum in China, which further demonstrates the market as a rising star for the Kia brand,” said Thomas Oh, Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors International Business Division.

For the month of June, Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets was the Rio with 43,586 units sold. The Sportage was the second best seller with 33,388 units delivered, while the Cerato, Optima and Sorento followed with 32,696, 23,197 and 18,090 units sold, respectively.

Background Information

Kia Motors

Kia Motors Corporation is a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart. It was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world's premier automotive brands.

Kia Motors produce over 1.5 million vehicles a year in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries.