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KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA

(subject) / Page 2 / September 3, 2004

KIA SETS A NEW SALES RECORD: AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN……!

For the 20th month in succession Kia has sold more vehicles than in the same month a year earlier, with August 2004 setting an all-new sales record with 2,517 new Kia’s finding homes in Australia, a 77 per cent increase on August 2003.

Kia’s share of the total Australian market has leapt from 1.8 per cent last year to 3.2 per cent in August.

The new Kia Cerato was launched with a flying start; nearly achieving its 2004 total sales target in its first two months on sale, with demand running at four times Kia’s ability to supply. The Rio took ten per cent of the small car market in August, while with 36 per cent of the people mover sector; the Kia Carnival continues to dominate its market sector as the clear market leader. Kia’s commercial vehicles also had another excellent month, with the K2700 taking 55 per cent of the light truck market and the Kia Pregio van, newly launched in revised form, remaining king of the Australian diesel van market and was Australia’s number one van in August.

“A 77 per cent increase is an excellent result,” says Ed Butler, Kia Automotive Australia’s General Manager, ”however severely restricted supply prevented the month from being much stronger, potentially breaking 3000 vehicles.”

Kia is on fire around the world. In Europe, like Australia, Kia is the fastest growing brand. Cerato sales are running at three times Kia’s original target but demand is outstripping supply. Pregio sales could have been considerably more in August if Kia had had the stock and Sorento demand, as it has since its launch, continues run ahead of Kia’s ability to meet demand.

“There is no hidden secret to our success,” explains Mr Butler. “It comes down to honest value for money vehicles that are well made, highly equipped and supplied by what we believe are the best dealer group in Australia, as well as being the busiest!”

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For further information:

Kia Automotive Australia Media Web Site: http://media.ateco.com.au/

Edward Butler
General Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0417 294 493
Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail:
Edward Rowe
Public Relations Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9701 8015
E-mail: