KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA
5 millionth export / Page 1 / March 25, 2005KIA EXPORTS ITS FIVE MILLIONTH CAR
Kia has exported its five millionth car, a new Kia Picanto bound for Italy, since exports started in 1974 with modest order of ten cars to Qatar.
“The achievement of reaching this historic milestone is shared between Kia Motors staff and management throughout the world, our valued distributors and dealers, and most importantly, our customers, without whom all this would not be possible,” said Eui-Sun Chung, President and CEO, Kia
In 2005 the success of Kia’s export strategy is most evident in Europe, where Kia Motors has been the fastest growing auto brand for the last three years. Exports to European countries grew by 70.6%, from 155,229 units in 2003 to 264,872 units last year.
In the U.S., where the Kia brand has also made remarkable strides, exports saw a year-on-year increase of 31.4% to 301,573 units last year. In Central & South America, Middle East & Africa and the Asia Pacific, exports grew by 55.7%, 48.8% and 25.2%, respectively, in 2004.
“For a company that began making bicycle parts in a small factory outside of Seoul over sixty years ago, we have come a long way. Not only has Kia spearheaded the rise of the Korean automobile industry, but we have also made spectacular strides in overseas markets in recent years,” said Mr. Chung.
“Already this year we have premiered two more new models -- the all-new Kia Carnival and the four- and five-door Kia Rio -- which will give added momentum to our export success. We are now well positioned to take our place among the elite of the global automotive industry for years to come,” he said.
Kia Motors was on the path to becoming a major automotive force with the establishment of the Sohari plant in 1973, the first fully integrated automobile production facility in Korea. The Sohari plant heralded in the production of the Brisa pickup truck in 1974, which became Kia Motors first vehicle export a year later when 10 Brisas were shipped to Qatar.
Exports of Kia vehicles experienced a dramatic boom with the 1987 acquisition of a North American distribution network for the sub-compact Pride. This significant event set the stage for Kia’s continued rapid growth into a major global exporter.
Kia reached one million cumulative vehicle exports in 1995, two million in 1998, three million in 2001 and four million in 2004. Just one year after breaking the four million cumulative export mark, Kia is now celebrating its historic five million exports milestone in 2005.
Kia’s exports have grown rapidly since the company joined the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group in 1998. Since then, Kia has been on a mission to improve quality, strengthen overseas sales outlets, expand its product line-up and stabilize its business operations worldwide.
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