The Korean automaker announced earlier this month that global sales for 2008 were up over eight percent with sales in China leading the way.
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Kia Cerato (new Spectra)
Global sales of 1,375,738 in 2008
Everyone here at Summit Place Kia is proud of the fact that we sell and service the entire line of affordable, fuel-efficient Kia vehicles. But while sales at our dealerships in Waterford and Canton, Michigan were up for the year, that can’t be said for the rest of the U.S.
The same can be said for our parent company, Kia Motors. While sales in North America and Europe were down in 2008, growth in China, Korea and many other emerging markets led to an overall sales gain this year. One other interesting tidbit of information is that the C-segment Cerato (which we know as the Spectra) was the top seller overseas for the third consecutive year. For the record, Kia sold a total of 1,375,738 vehicles in 2008.
Kia cee’d
Here is the press release that includes current sales graphs:
(SEOUL) January, 2009 – Kia Motors Corporation announced today that cumulatively its global sales (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) of passenger cars, recreation vehicles (RVs) and light trucks in 2008 recorded 1,375,738, representing an 8.4% year-on-year increase.
In 2008, China (151,085 units sold) and general markets (262,166 units sold) have experienced the largest year-on-year gains of 34.2%, and 30.5%, respectively. Cumulative sales increases were also experienced in Korea (a 16.2% gain from 316,432 units sold), while Europe (a 2.3% decrease from 335,138 units sold) and North America have experienced decreases (8.6% decrease from 310,917 units sold).
In December, China returned a significant year-on-year increase, selling 16,909 units (a 36.2% year-on-year increase). General markets and Korea also experienced gains selling 22,381 (a 15.3% increase) and 27,507 (a 10% increase) units, respectively while Europe and North America sold 19,966 (a 33.6% decrease) and 16,286 (a 37.2% decrease) units, respectively. During this month, Kia sold 103,049 units globally marking an 8.7% year-on-year decrease.
Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of the International Business Division said, “While North America and Europe experienced some year-on-year loss from a slowdown of sales in the last quarter, Kia has experienced market share increases in many markets across these two territories. Furthermore, we have experienced significant gains across China, general markets and in Korea. Despite trying economic conditions, we are confident that we are well positioned, relative to other auto makers, to continue to gain market share by satisfying the demand for fuel-efficient and compact vehicles.”
2009 Kia Picanto
In 2008, Kia’s best-selling model in overseas markets, for the third consecutive year, is the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Spectra’ in some markets) with 192,149 units sold, followed by the B-Segment Rio with 153,963 units. Kia’s Sportage compact SUV and the C-segment cee’d (not available in the U.S.) compete closely for third place with 149,293 and 148,846 units sold, respectively, and the A-segment Picanto (also not available in the U.S.) takes fifth place with 91,262 units sold.
In 2008, passenger car sales made up 63% of all Kia vehicles sold, marking an 11.7% year-on-year increase.
Lee continued, “Kia Motors Corporation continues to prudently monitor and manage its business in the face of the current global economic climate, which is affecting demand for automotive vehicles in many markets around the world. The company’s new product pipeline remains strong with the launch of the all-new Soul urban crossover passenger car and next generation Cerato (to be known as ‘Forte’ in some markets) in many markets in early 2009, as well as the upgraded Kia cee’d and all new B-segment MPV scheduled to go on sale in the European market during late 2009.”
Editor’s notes:
* Global sales figures are based upon CBU export sales and sales from overseas and Korean production plants
** Includes figures from Western and Eastern European markets
***General markets includes the regions of Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa
The Bottom Line
Here at Summit Place Kia, we are proud of the fact that we sell dependable, quality, best-in-class vehicles at affordable prices – something that’s very important in today’s economy. If you’re a current customer, we’d like to thank you for your business and for helping us contribute to Kia Motors worldwide sales success. If you’re not a current customer, we’d like to invite you to visit us and take a test drive. While you’re there, you’ll also have the chance to see the new Soul, which will be arriving in our showrooms this spring. Call us at 248.682.6002 in the Waterford area or 734.397.9900 for our Canton location or stop in at either location and see for yourself why Summit Place Kia is the fastest growing Kia franchise in metro Detroit and Michigan to see why we’d “Love to see ya’ in a Summit Place Kia.”
