National Press Release

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its best July ever with record sales of 28,021 units, an increase of 5.0 percent over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 185,640 units, an increase of 2.5 percent over the same period last year.

Sportage had its best month of the year with 4,035 units, a 6.2 percent increase over the same period last year, while Spectra had strong sales of 5,910 units. Rio and Optima both had increases of 22.1 percent and 49.1 percent respectively over the same period last year with 3,707 and 6,258 units sold.

"For the fourth month in a row Kia has achieved record sales, something rare for the auto industry in 2008," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "During this difficult economic time, consumers are looking for quality vehicles that are fuel efficient and offer great value -- for this they are heading to Kia dealerships."

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site -- http://www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit http://www.kiamedia.com.

                       MONTH OF JULY                YEAR-TO-DATE
    Model            2008        2007             2008         2007
    Rio             3,707       3,035           24,668       19,275
    Spectra         5,910       5,773           48,867       42,927
    Optima          6,258       4,196           35,066       24,977
    Amanti            339         248            2,429        4,588
    Sportage        4,035       3,801           23,287       27,958
    Sorento         3,175       4,342           14,432       22,881
    Sedona          2,004       3,073           18,324       26,258
    Rondo           2,556       2,222           18,530       12,218
    Borrego            37         n/a               37          n/a

    Total          28,021      26,690          185,640      181,082

SOURCE Kia Motors America