Kia Motors ends 2012 with 9.3% increase in global sales

By region, Kia posted year-on-year sales growth in Europe (571,033 units, a 19.5% year-on-year increase), North America (635,399 units sold, a 15.4% year-on-year increase), China (512,167 units, an 11% year-on-year increase), and general markets (509,358 units sold, a 2.7% year-on-year increase). Kia posted sales of 482,060 units in its home market of Korea for a 2.2% year-on-year decrease.

Kia's bestselling model in overseas markets in 2012 was the Rio with 466,826 units sold. Kia's Sportage and Cerato followed with 359,742 and 352,226 units sold, respectively. The Optima came in fourth with 259,551 units sold, while the Sorento rounded out the top five with 219,154 units sold.

Notable company milestones in 2012 included the start of construction on Kia's third China plant with a 300,000-unit annual capacity; and two company firsts - entering the ranks of InterBrand's 'Top 100 Best Global Brands' and launching the all-new Kia Quoris luxury flagship sedan.

Thomas Oh, Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors Corp., said, "The year 2012 was another period of significant milestones for the Kia brand, and our ongoing product offensive will continue in 2013 with the start of production of eight next generation, upgraded or body style variants, including the all-new Carens and Soul as well as refreshed versions of the Optima, Sportage and Rio. Given the difficult global market environment expected in 2013, we at Kia will embark on a new era of qualitative growth in all areas of the business to prepare ourselves for a new wave of sales expansion in the coming years."