Kia posts 62.9% global sales increase for January

By Paul Maric | March 02nd, 2010

Despite the market still recovering from turmoil, Kia Motors has posted a 62.9% increase in sales during January, compared to the same time last year.

The best performing market was China, boosting sales by a staggering 235.2%. China was closely followed by Korea, Europe and North America who posted 61.1%, 54.2%, 52.5% and 2.6% respectively.

The best selling car overall was the Cerato, selling almost 34,000 units globally. The Rio and Sportage compete for second, while the mid-sized Sorento placed fourth.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, said “It is encouraging that we were able to continue Kia’s rapid momentum of 2009 and get off to a fast start in 2010. Our ongoing ‘globalization’ efforts are further propelling the brand as our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA is ramping up production of the all-new Sorento while the built-in-Europe Venga is now in showrooms across Europe.”

Sam 300TD

……”was closely followed by Korea, Europe and North America who posted 61.1%, 54.2%, 52.5% and 2.6% respectively”…….um that is 4 figures for 3 countries, who is missing?
HyundaiSmoke

Speaking about globalization, They just need to make that North American Accent/Rio plant in Detroit or something, instead of Mexico. Then again, I dont trust the work ethic of the North American worker on our small cars. Actually the Western Hemisphere is bad to build small cars, period.

However, States like Ohio and Indiana have been making small Hondas for years without quality problems. Maybe Hyundai should look into those states for small car production.

stuzz

like the US built accords in the 90′s? Transmission failure you could count on!

sammo

Kia Australia is still floundering – they used to be a top 10 manufacturer here.
Then people discovered two brands called Volkswagen and Suzuki, then everything changed!

KM

I think Kia have the wrong people working for them.

With the cars which they have been launching lately, they should really be selling alot more than they are.. If Hyundai can be in the top 5, why can’t KIA be in the top 10?? There is obviously something wrong at the head quarters.

IMO Kia’s line up is alot better then Suzuki’s

http://CarAdvice The Salesman.

Agreed. I used to think Kia was Hyundai’s poor cousin. If you look at it from a corporate level you might start to see how it makes sense. I am sure everything the Hyundai/Kia automotive group do is measured and planned.
The long term goal is to move both brands up through the ranks.
Hung Low

Really? Rio better than Swift?, Sportage better than Vitara?
Yes Suzuki has a smaller range but they have been renowned for decades for building reliable, bulletproof cars and 4wds with some models still having a cult following. A look a Kia’s history is pretty non-eventful, with no motor sport, cult cars and a soured reputation from the Carnival.
The current Kia hype is good marketing and the products are improving to be serious competitors but they still have a couple of years of establishing themselves to be a serious top 10 contender!

Jinsei

The current model Rio and Sportage are obviously not on par with the Swift or Vitara. However, the Venga in Europe definitely is, just not available here Down Under (read some reviews if you don t agree). The soon-to-come new Sportage is highly likely to outperform the Vitara in drivability and fuel economy as it shares many of its genes with the ix35.

Let’s be honest the Vitara wasn’t the greatest car in its segment. People generally would vote the CR-V or CX-7 best rather than the Vitara.

Just because VW have 20% shareholding in Suzuki, i can see that a traditional VW fan like you have all of sudden become a Suzuki fan as well.
KM

Funny you say that because KIA were in the top 10 until they got overtaken by VW.

No the Rio is not better then the Swift, but the new sportage will be better then the Vitara. The Sorento is better then the…….O wait there is no competition there. The new Cerato is better then the………..O wait no competition there as well. The new Koup is better than the Swift GTI….Maybe…
Funny thing is KIA was in the top 10 prior to these new models released, this just shows that there is a problem with KIA Australia in general… Better cars yet drop in perfomance.

nick

SX4 as a Cerato competitor??? And the SX4 is better IMO.

GoHyundai

“Yes Suzuki has a smaller range but they have been renowned for decades for building reliable, bulletproof cars…” ????? LOLLLL yeaaa mate

sammo

Kia Australia need to become more competitive – they need to start trying to convince people that their cars are worth considering. The Australian marketplace is very competitive and Kia need to find a way to stand out from the crowd – 2 weeks of Australian Open sponsorship won’t help them improve the current situation.

Altezza

Hyundai and Kia are not the brands to be underestimated nowadays. They are lifting their games at an alarmingly high rate. Kia cars nowadays are well styled. Well done Kia.
F1 Addict

Thats what happens when you invest in style.
HyundaiSmoke

Hyundai/KIA might end up like Chrysler in that the quasi-Luxury Division (Hyundai) gets more sales than the Economy car Division (KIA). Chrysler sells more than Dodge. It already occurs in the states. HMA (Hyundai Motor America) sell 3 times more than KIA Motor America. I like how the company is trying to change that here by encouraging mergers of Hyundai and KIA Stores. Its better to treat them that way I think. By the way some Americans are already confusing Hyundais with Lexuses when driving down the street looking at dealers.

I want KIA to sell most of the cars and for good reason, so we have to be careful with our KIA.

HyundaiSmoke

Before you get on me its not to hard to do, as American Hyundais have Chrome and Bling.

GoHyundai

Korean hyundais have the most chrome and bling…
koreans (i dont know why…they overlove their chrome…

HyundaiSmoke

We have to nuture our KIA. We hae to grow that into the new fresh, and sporty Toyota. I think now its the best time.

Baddass

‘We have to nurture our Kia’.
Haha, we don’t have to do anything at the rate Kia is going. And it’s not ‘ours’.

Shak

I agree with Badass, KIA is doing fine on their own at steamrolling the American’s and KIA is not ‘ours’ in any shape, way or form. I’ve already asked you why you post on an Aussie website if your a Yankee?

HyundaiSmoke

KIA does belong to HKAG, and since everybody customers, staff etc.. are part of the company, KIA is ours. KIA is doing ok in America, but KIA is tiny here compared to Hyundai. Americans trust Hyundais more than the KIAs, but that’s lessened a lot. Many people still dont realize they are the same company either, and that’s another reason why Cannibalization happened.

John Krafick HMA CEO is an anti Cannibalization expert. If anybody hes the best guy for the job to end Cannibalization.

My Point, cannibalization has been a huge HKAG problem not just in America but everywhere. That’s why Hyundai has to grow Luxury, and KIA has to grow Youthfulness. They didnt come up with these ideas becuase they had their fingers up their bums with nothing to do.

They had an actual problem, and now are solving it.

Im global, ill post anywhere thank you!!!

HyundaiSmoke

Some of you may not like the new direction of the company, but youre going to have to suck it up. They are in it to make money globally, not compete with each other.

This isnt some cutesy little game they play in Korea, this is hardball, this is business. Cannibalization Kills Growth and Prosperity, for any company with 2 or more brands.