Kia Canada experiences best March ever including 39 consecutive months of sales growth

• Best March on record with 6,628 total sales, yielding a 22.9% increase over  2011
• Record first quarter with 15,046 units sold for 22.2% year-over-year increase
• Best sales month ever for Optima mid-size sedan

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Kia Canada Inc. has experienced the strongest first quarter sales volume in company history reporting 15,046 units sold, with 22.2% growth versus previous year. Additionally, Kia has recorded its best ever March with 6,628 units sold, marking a 22.9% increase compared to March 2011. All regions continued to show consistent year-over-year growth, propelling the industry-leading sales growth to 39 successive months.

The Kia Forte family reported an impressive 1,407 units sold, contributing to a 13.7% increase versus March 2011.The Kia Optima mid-size sedan continues to fuel record sales volume, achieving over 1,000 units for the first time with a total of 1,237 vehicles sold. The Georgia-built Kia Sorento utility vehicle continues to post strong volume sales with 1,140 vehicles sold. The all-new sub-compact Rio sedan and 5-Door have similarly achieved prominent sales volume with 1,061 units recorded.

"It was imperative to establish a strong sales pace for the first quarter in 2012 in order to sustain Kia Canada's sales growth and momentum," said Jack Uczciwek, Director of Sales for Kia Canada Inc. "The last three months have been the result of success across our diverse, award-winning portfolio which has been driving Canadians to visit our showrooms translating into record sales."

In the month of March, the Rio sedan and Rio 5-Door were named as a red dot design award winner, bringing Kia's total of the internationally-acclaimed honour to six. The Rio offers previously unseen levels of eye-catching design, advanced technologies and sophistication in the small car segment, including an available heated steering wheel and power-folding mirrors.

April Incentives

Kia Canada is pleased to continue the "Dare to Compare" Sales Event for the month of April. To support this event, Kia will continue to offer very attractive incentives programs including 0% financing on 2012 and 2011 models and "Don't Pay for 90 Days" on select Models.  Kia Canada is also delighted to introduce 13MY incentive programs for Sorento and Rio.  Cash buyers can enjoy up to $4,500 cash savings on select 12MY Forte.  In addition, for the first time ever, Kia Canada is very excited to introduce the Optima, Car of the Year Test Drive Challenge.  The Test Drive challenge is for anyone shopping for a new mid-size sedan.  If after the Optima test drive, a customer should decide to instead purchase a qualifying competitive manufacturer's vehicle within program period of the test drive, Kia Canada will give them a $100 Gas Card which exemplifies Kia's confidence in this multiple award winning vehicle.

###

Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca - www.facebook.com/kiacanada) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) in Korea was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 174 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 156 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada. Kia's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Kia Canada Inc. Media Contacts:
Cathy Laroche
Public Relations Manager
(C): 514.554.0843
e-mail: [email protected]

Daniel Ponzini
Public Relations and Events Coordinator
(O): 905.755.6415
(C): 647.462.8986
e-mail: [email protected]