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Kia’s global sales grows 41 percent in March 2010
Kia Motors announced its global sales figures for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for March 2010, recording a total of 177,351 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 41.0%.
In March, Kia posted impressive double digit year-on-year sales increases in all sales regions: 98.0% in China (28,792 units sold), 55.7% in general markets (35,114 units sold), 33.4% in Europe* (40,471 units sold), 26.5% in Korea (38,015 units sold) and 23.6% in North America (34,959 units sold).
Cumulatively, through the first three months of 2010, Kia’s global sales increased by 46.9% year-on-year and reached 471,010 units. China experienced the highest gain of 147.8% based on sales of 90,131 units to date in 2010.
The remaining regions have all showed cumulative strong year-on-year sales increases: 56.3% in general markets (98,419 units sold), 38.5% in Europe* (90,679 units sold), 32.5% in Korea (105,231 units sold) and 13.1% in North America (86,550 units sold).
Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets for the month of March was the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets) with 32,283 units sold. The B-segment Sportage compact SUV and Rio compete for second with 17,029 and 16,970 units sold, respectively. The European C-segment cee’d comes in fourth with 13,916 units sold, and the Sorento mid-size CUV rounds out the top five with 13,481 units sold.
In terms of vehicle category sold overseas, Kia’s recreational vehicles and passenger achieved year-on-year increases in March of 43.9% (83,256 units) and 47.3% (52,344 units), respectively.
Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “Our momentum generated in 2009 by ending the year as the world’s fastest growing automaker is clearly being maintained in 2010 as we continue to see notable double-digit sales increases. What is equally encouraging is the regional balance of sales so far this year, particularly, with Europe, China and North America posting similar cumulative sales results of around 90,000 units each.” [Source: Kia]
This is great news. As Kia’s fortunes rise, so do ours. Because we respect their prowess in making automobiles for the masses. But Kia pays attention to details and takes care of their customers. And for that we must make sure they are rewarded as well. Kudos to Kia Motors of South Korea!
Himi – any update as to when the rest of the site is going to be operational?
Look at that 98% year-on-year increase in China, brothers! Whoo-hoo!
Whoa, somebody get a load outta timothy Sargeant’s question marks above!
Still, I’d ratha have da Warranty Mitsu provides. Suzuki offer a 7 year and 100, 000 mile Warranty on their midsize Kizashi sedan. I have looked at the Kizashi, test drove one, and they are correct!
Forte sales are growing fast. It’s nice that Kia is being rewarded for having chosen to make the Forte great-looking instead of only utilitarian… à la Corolla…
In the last couple of weeks, I twice have received spontaneous comments from total strangers about how good my Forte SX looks. When I first got it in August of last year, people were asking what it was. Now they say: Oh! you have a new Kia Forte…It’s a very nice car. One of these people even asked me to show him how large the trunk is.
The Forte is a homerun for Kia. The new Optima will be too.
Good Products, Good Design, Good Quality, Good Price = Success