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KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA

Kia Cerato set for 1 July launch / Page 1 / May 25, 2004

CERATO OPENS THE NEXT CHAPTER ON KIA’S AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS STORY

Kia may already be Australia’s fastest growing brand, with its 70 per cent increase in sales earning it a permanent place in Australia’s top ten brands, but it won’t be resting on its laurels in the second half of 2004 with the arrival of the all-new Kia Cerato on 1 July set to further boost its Australian market presence.

The Kia Cerato will join Kia’s range of top selling models, including Australia’s number one people mover, the Kia Carnival; two top selling commercial vehicles, the Pregio and the K2700, and the Kia Rio which has a strong hold on third place in the small car market.

“Our success is based on offering quality vehicles, with a high level of standard equipment at sensible prices,” explains Edward Butler, Kia’s National Sales Manager. “The Kia Cerato will follow this philosophy and, with its stylish new design and excellent drivetrain, our sales expectations are high.”

The Kia Cerato slots into the Kia range between the Rio and the recently launched Kia Optima luxury V6 sedan. It is powered by a 2.0 litre 103 kW engine with the choice of either a five speed manual gearbox or sophisticated electronic automatic gearbox. The Cerato offers a spacious interior and a roomy boot within its 4.3 metre length.

Kia will announce prices and specification and prices on 1 July, but with the existing Kia passenger car range offering power windows, central locking, CD player and air conditioning all as standard, it can be expected that the new Cerato will be fully equipped.

“The Cerato is the start of the next chapter of Kia’s transformation of its role in the Australia car market over the past three years,” says Mr Butler. “Kia Sponsorship of the Australia Open combined with a significant increase in marketing activity and effective retail campaigns, has transformed public awareness of Kia in Australia. We now have a modern and stylish range of cars and commercial vehicles, all of which are selling well, and we have a dealer group that is providing excellent customer service across Australia. The Cerato is the first of the next generation of Kia models, each set to advance Kia in Australia and around the world.”

“So, with demand already out-stripping supply for every Kia model,” says Mr Butler. “I am certain that the only problem we will have with the Kia Cerato when we launch it on 1 July will be keeping up with demand!”

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For further information:

Kia Automotive Australia Media Web Site: Hull
Managing Director
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 8577 8000
Mob: 0419 722 888
Fax: (02) 9558 7722
E-mail:
Edward Rowe
Public Relations Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 8577 8000
Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9558 7722
E-mail: