Kia Motors Record Start To 2010

Kia Motors Record Start To 2010

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Kia Motors has jumped out of the blocks with a record start to 2010 new vehicle sales in New Zealand.

The 252 new models registered during January represent a 166% increase on the same month a year ago, which completely shadows the 6% growth by the whole industry in January, and is the highest total recorded by Kia since it entered the market a decade and a half ago.

In doing so, Kia Motors grabbed almost 5% of the passenger car market, taking it to seventh position and ahead of Nissan for the first time.

“What a brilliant way to start 2010,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager for Kia Motors New Zealand.

“January is traditionally a difficult month for car companies, with most customers still away on holiday, however our newcomers Sorento R and Cerato Koup have attracted a lot of attention, translating into sales.”

Indeed, the new Sorento R crossover was the top selling model for Kia in January, with 60 vehicles registered. Launched only two months earlier, the Sorento R is quickly establishing itself as one of the benchmarks in this segment of the market, with strong selling points being the hi-tech R-series 2.2-litre diesel engine, sophisticated 6-speed transmissions and seating for seven occupants.

The other newcomer, the Kia Cerato Koup also performed exceptionally well in its first sales month - shipments of customer cars only arrived in January – with 38 registrations, indicating that there is a significant untapped demand for a stylish, 2-door, sporty car, adds Mr. McDonald.

Such has been the demand for the Cerato Koup that it has now sold out until the next shipment arrives in March and Kia Motors NZ is revising its orders to satisfy customer demand.

The Sorento R and Cerato Koup are outstanding examples of the design-led direction that Kia Motors is forging for its new model line-up, which began early in 2009 with the arrival of the Kia Soul urban crossover. That process will continue through 2010 with the addition of at least two further models to the Kia stable.

“Momentum is starting to build and there is a lot of confidence among our dealer network about the coming year,” adds Mr. McDonald.

That’s because Kia is not just relying on Sorento R and the Cerato Koup to draw attention. Other top selling models for Kia last month included the Sportage crossover, Rio hatch and sedan and the Cerato sedan, which shows there is broad demand for Kia vehicles. A further bright spot in January was the sale of 11 brand new K2900 light trucks, the biggest sales month ever for this vehicle, which is becoming increasingly popular as a viable small truck.

ENDS

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