Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for September 2012, recording a total of 246,733 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 13.3%. In September, Kia posted strong year-on-year sales increases of 31.3% in North America (55,135 units sold); 23.6% in general markets* (49,911 units sold); 18.5% in Europe* (55,981 units sold); and 1.1% in China (46,676 units sold). Meanwhile, September sales in Kia’s home market of Korea decreased by 7.0% (39,030 units sold) year-on-year.
Cumulatively through the first nine months of 2012, Kia’s global sales have increased by 11.3% year-on-year to reach 2,034,787 units. Europe, North America and China have experienced the highest cumulative gains to date in 2012 of 23.9% (433,167 units sold), 18.5% (496,607 units sold), and 10.7% (356,147 units sold), respectively. Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets for the month of September was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) with 43,552 units sold. The Sportage compact CUV was the second best seller with 35,098 units delivered, while the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets), D-segment Optima sedan and Sorento mid-size CUV followed with 31,062; 24,374; and 19,831 units sold, respectively.
Kia cars awaiting shipment at the Pyeongtaek Port in South Korea
Tae-Hyun (Thomas) Oh, Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “It is very encouraging to see robust growth for the Kia brand continue in September in the major markets
of North America, Europe and the combined general markets. The Middle East and Africa countries of the general markets, in particular, showed impressive growth, which is a positive sign for brand
momentum as we are gearing up to launch our all-new Quoris flagship luxury sedan in many of those countries.”
* ‘General markets’ include the regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China and Korea), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa. ‘Europe’ includes both Western and
Eastern European markets.
