Kia Defies The Dowturn: Posts Increase In Global Sales

With the trickle of 'doom and gloom' news items that are hitting our inboxes rapidly turning into a flood, it is refreshing to learn that not all manufacturers appear to be feeling the pain - yet.

Kia has announced an increase in global September sales, with sales for the month up 2.7 percent on the same period in 2007.

In layman's terms, this means that export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants of passenger cars, recreation vehicles and commercial vehicles in September 2008 for Kia globally was 110,431 sales, representing a 2.7 percent year-on-year increase.

By region, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in general markets (25,851 units sold, a 45.7 percent year-on-year increase), Korea (24,322 units sold, a 19.5 percent year-on-year increase) and China (11,012 units, a 10.9 percent year-on-year increase).

Meanwhile, in Europe and North America, where the economic slowdown is in full swing, 28,091 (a 12.4 percent year-on-year decrease)  and 21,155 (a 22.8% year-on-year decrease) Kia vehicles were sold in September, respectively.

"The total volume of sales remains solid across all markets, even considering the uncertain economic times we are facing. During the first nine months, Kia Motors has performed strongly in all markets, particularly through our significant gains achieved in China and general markets. Entering the final quarter, we will continue to monitor the global sales patterns prudently," said Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of the International Business Division.

Cumulatively, through the first nine months of 2008, Kia's global sales increased by 14.4 percent year-on-year and reached 1,062,379 units. China (112,502 units sold) and general markets (193,773 units sold), have experienced the largest gains of 38.1 percent, and 37.0 percent, respectively.

Cumulative year-on-year sales increases have also been experienced in Korea (a 16.3 percent gain from 229,171 units sold) and Europe (a 7.8 percent gain from 268,595 units sold), while North America demonstrated a slight decrease (0.4 percent decrease from 258,338 units sold).

Kia's Cerato (known as 'Spectra' in some markets) has led the way, with 154,929 units sold,  followed by the Rio at 121,896 units, and the acclaimed cee'd at 116,097 units. Kia's Sportage compact SUV maintained a healthy sales rate with 111,870 units finding new homes. The Picanto rounds out the group with 74,915 units sold.