IRVINE, Calif.,
Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America (KMA) is the
fastest growing car company in the United States and the brand’s unprecedented
momentum reached new highs in September, achieving a record third quarter and
the 25th consecutive month of record sales, reaching 48,105 units, a
35.1-percent increase over the same period in 2011.  September once again saw
KMA’s U.S.-built* vehicles take the top sales honors. The Optima midsize sedan
sold 14,304 units and the Sorento CUV enjoyed sales of 10,066 vehicles. The Soul
accounted for 9,467 units sold, bolstered by the recent launch of the “Bringing
Down the House” advertising campaign featuring the music-loving Kia hamsters and
the dance anthem “In My Mind” (Axwell remix).

Lending credibility
to the company’s significant sales increases, Kia Motors Corporation enters the
exclusive list of the “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” according to the 2012 study
released today by Interbrand, the world’s largest brand consultancy agency. 
Kia’s remarkable increase in brand value is now estimated at $4.1 billion, which
firmly sets the automaker at 87th on the list. This is a 50 percent increase
from last year’s estimated brand value and far exceeds the average automotive
brand value growth rate of only 11 percent for the year.

“Kia’s product-led
transformation – together with our successful marketing – have elevated Kia’s
reputation beyond our bedrock commitment to value,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group
president and CEO of KMA and KMMG.  “At Kia, we work to understand the needs and
expectations of our customers and work to find new ways to enrich their lives,
providing the Kia brand with powerful potential as more new products and
technologies are set to arrive in the next 12 months.”

Kia’s Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from
2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker,
and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a
reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling.  Kia Motors America’s
full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical
acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and
consideration for the brand.  In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of
market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand
in perceived quality^[2] and the industry’s highest brand loyalty
ranking^[3].  Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point,
Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and
supplier jobs and builds two of the company’s best-selling vehicles in the U.S.
– the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan^*.  Kia’s value and
technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban
passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact
hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona
minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia
Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation
based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more
than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official
Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever
annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the
U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand
through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new
technologies.

Information about
Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – http://www.kia.com.
For media information, including photography, visit

http://www.kiamedia.com.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only)
and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced
parts.

[1] Based on 5-year
cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending August 2007
and August 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

[2] Source: 
Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study.

[3] Source:
Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis.

SOURCE  Kia Motors America