IRVINE, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its best sales month ever with record April sales of 30,066 units, a 15.6-percent increase over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 98,280 total units.

   Kia's April growth was led by Spectra and Optima, up 4.8 percent and 89.3 percent respectively over the previous month. Rondo sales increased 118.3 percent over the same period last year with 2,583 unit sales. Rio and Spectra continue their strong showing with 4,052 and 8,406 units sold respectively, with increases of 23.6 and 16.7 percent.

   "As consumers are looking to further stretch their dollar in the midst of rising gasoline prices and a downward sliding economy, we are pleased to see Kia's fuel-efficient and dynamic product line continue to appeal to new car buyers," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "Kia's value-packed Rio and Spectra models continue to outpace last year's sales and Rondo's strong showing position KMA for another successful sales effort this year."

   Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

             MONTH OF APRIL                           YEAR-TO-DATE

   Model     2008      2007                          2008        2007
   Rio       4,052    3,279                         13,150      9,588
   Spectra   8,406    7,203                         26,419      21,696
   Optima    4,550    4,538                         13,746      13,963
   Amanti      235      528                            791       3,266
   Sportage  3,960    3,695                         13,746      15,410
   Sorento   2,991    2,883                          7,612      12,962
   Sedona    3,289    2,698                         10,580      18,622
   Rondo     2,583    1,183                         12,236       4,103

   Total     30,066   26,007                        98,280      99,610

Source: Kia Motors America