IRVINE, Calif., April 4, 2000 - Kia today announced sales of 12,729 vehicles for the month of March, nearly 12 percent higher than last March.

Monthly sales of the Sportage sport-utility vehicle reached 5,156 units, up 44 percent from a year ago. Healthy year-to-date sales of 32,264 units are 17 percent higher than last year.

Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea.