Cadenza Premium Sedan Tops 1,000 Units for Second Consecutive Month; U.S.-Built* Optima is Best-Seller for 20th Straight Month                                                                     

IRVINE, Calif., August 1, 2013 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today reported record July sales of 49,004 vehicles, a 1.9-percent increase over the same period in 2012.  Following the launch of the national marketing campaign for the all-new 2014 Cadenza, the flagship sedan surpassed the 1,000 unit mark for the second time. Accounting for more than 40 percent of Kia’s July sales, KMA’s  U.S.-built* vehicles once again take the top sales honors as the Optima midsize sedan was the brand’s best seller for the 20^th consecutive month with 13,752 units sold, and the Sorento CUV enjoyed sales of 9,576 vehicles.  The Soul urban passenger vehicle also recorded strong monthly sales of 10,160 units.  

“Awareness of our latest new products, including the redesigned 2014 Sorento CUV and all-new Cadenza and Forte sedans on sale now, continues to rise and elevate Kia’s reputation as a value leader that provides more style, equipment and amenities for the money,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president andCEOof KMA and KMMG.  “More new products are on the horizon, and these vehicles will continue to advance value to new levels of sophistication by combining world-class design with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities and affordable pricing to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers.”

The record-setting month of July also witnessed three Kia vehicles – the 2013 Optima,Rioand Soul – ranked at or near the top of their respective segments within the J.D. Power 2013 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.  The Soul gained recognition as the top “Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle” in the category for the second year in a row, while the Optima andRiocame in second in the “Midsize” and “Sub-Compact” car segments, respectively.

Kia:  One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands
Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs. 

The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based inSeoul,South   Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout theUnited Statesand serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA.  In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gainedU.S.market share for the 18th consecutive year.  Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.