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GERMANY/UK: Kia sets December sales
record
06 Jan 2006
Source: just-auto.com editorial
team
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Kia set a new European sales record in December reaching a
total of 23,700 units, 24% higher than the brand achieved in
the same period of 2004.
The automaker noted that the result came before its new
petrol and diesel-powered Magentis D-segment sedan line
reached dealerships.
For the final month of 2005, Kia´s top selling models were
the Picanto ‘supermini’ (6,979 sales), Sorento SUV (4,331
sales), recently redesigned Sportage SUV and new Rio compact
hatchback line.
The Picanto was also the Korean carmaker’s biggest seller
in Europe in 2005, with 85,921 units sold, up an impressive
49% over 2004, especially given that the model was launched
several years ago.
Kia UK spokeswoman Louisa Sharp said the main reason for
the surge was that 2005 was the Picanto’s first full year on
sale Europe-wide – it was launched in mid-2004. She also noted
that a 1.1-litre diesel engine option was added to the
left-hand drive European model range a couple of months ago.
Buyers in the right-hand drive UK market are offered one- and
1.1-litre petrol engines only.
In the 2005 European sales chart, the Picanto was followed
by the Sorento (42,589 sales) and Sportage (39,551 sales).
"Kia´s monthly sales performance in Europe - above 23,700
units in December for the first time - again demonstrates how
our products now meet the needs of European consumers," noted
Kia Motors Europe senior vice president Jean-Charles Lievens
in a statement.
"More and more new customers are switching to the Kia brand
and this is very encouraging for everyone in our expanding
dealer network and for the long-term prosperity of our company
as we start the New Year."
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