Kia Dec. 2011 sales up 42.5%

[MaxxMPG]

Kia also achieves all-time best full-year sales and market share in 2011

Chris Bernius - CleanMPG - Jan 4, 2012

To the left is the Kia Optima Hybrid basking in a warm South Dakota sunset during its record-setting 48 state fuel economy drive. The unstoppable freight train nearby is a good metaphor for Kia's recent sales successes - up more than 36% year over year, and another record breaking year in sales.

After surpassing its all-time best annual (2010) sales total within the first nine months of 2011, Kia Motors America reported their latest sales figures today. December sales of 43,390 units represented a 42.5-percent increase over the same period in 2010, which contributed to the brand's best-ever full-year sales of 485,492 vehicles.

Kia is one of the fastest growing auto manufacturers in the U.S., and has achieved 16 consecutive monthly sales records. And Kia's 36.3-percent sales increase (2011 over 2010) far outpaced the industry. These unprecedented gains follow an aggressive three-year sequence of new vehicle introductions that began with the Soul in 2009. In 2011, the popular urban passenger vehicle became KMA's second vehicle to exceed sales of 100,000 units. Kia's U.S.-built models – Optima and Sorento – continued to be the brand's best performers for the third consecutive month, with Optima topping the sales chart for the first time since its introduction in late 2010. Kia's U.S. market share has risen for 17 straight years, including a 78-percent increase since 2008 to today's 3.8-percent.

"Kia is a much different company than just three years ago, and with one of the youngest and most acclaimed vehicle lineups in the industry, Kia's customer loyalty rate has dramatically improved and at the same time, more new car shoppers are looking at Kia than ever before as evidenced by our substantial sales and market share gains in 2011," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "The Kia brand is built on a commitment to offering our customers high-quality, stylish, fun-to-drive and fuel efficient vehicles that are packed with the latest technologies, amenities and safety features, and we will continue to deliver on that promise in 2012 and into the future with the introduction of more new models."

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands. Between 2009 and 2011, Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker. Under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer, Kia earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and great-handling vehicles has increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality, and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan. Kia's 2012 lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, the hamster-approved Soul urban passenger vehicle, the Guinness World Record-smashing Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, 5-door hatch, and two door Koup, the Sedona minivan, and the exciting all-new Rio and Rio5.

Kia Dec. 2011 Sales Highlights and Overall

Model	Dec-11	Dec-10	Dec-DSR % change	Dec-11 YTD	Dec-10 YTD	YTD-DSR % change
Rio	2,155	944	+128.3%	20,111	24,619	-18.3%
Forte	4,730	5,694	-17%	76,295	68,500	+11.4%
Optima	10,704	3,106	+244.6%	84,590	27,382	+208.9%
Soul	9,624	6,367	+51.2%	102,267	67,110	+52.5%
Sorento	10,663	9,803	+8.8%	130,235	108,985	+19.5%
Sportage	3,617	2,560	+41.3%	47,463	23,873	+98.8%
Total	43,390	30,444	+42.5%	485,492	356,268	+ 36.3%

The fuel efficient range of Kia vehicles is poised to gain sales momentum in 2012, and 2011 will indeed be a tough year to beat.

Automobile Manufacturer's US Sales Rank - December 2011 vs. December 2010 Comparison and Total Sales

1. GM December Sales up 4.7% with 234,351 vehicles sold.
   
2. Ford December Sales up 15.6% with 201,737 vehicles sold.
   
3. Toyota December Sales up .4% with 178,131 vehicles sold.
   
4. Chrysler December Sales up 37.1% with 138,019 vehicles sold.
   
5. Honda December Sales down 18.8% with 105,230 vehicles sold.
   
6. Nissan December Sales up 7.7% with 100,927 vehicles sold.
   
7. Hyundai December Sales up 13.3% with 50,765 vehicles sold.
   
8. Kia December Sales up 42.5% with 43,390 vehicles sold.
   
9. Subaru December Sales up 26.2% with 33,701 vehicles sold.
   
10. BMW December Sales up 17.9% with 32,545 vehicles sold.
    
11. VW December Sales up 36.2% with 32,502 vehicles sold.
    
12. Mercedes-Benz December Sales up 30.4% with 28,006 vehicles sold.
    
13. Mazda December Sales up 4.1% with 22,353 vehicles sold.
    
14. Audi December Sales up 20.0% with 12,655 vehicles sold.

[jcp123]

I can't say it enough - Hyundai/Kia's hard work is paying off for them! Good job!!

[ksstathead]

Add Hyundai and Kia sales, and Korea has grabbed 10% of US auto sales?

[44 mpg by 2010]

I wonder what Kia US sales volumes would be if the 78.5 mpg(Imperial) combined … UK out-the-door priced £12,695 (estimated USD $15,128 EXPORT list) … Rio 5dr hatchback 1.1Diesel EcoDynamics 1 Air 6 M/T were available in the US.

Height (mm) 1455
Length (mm) 4045
Width (mm) 1720
CO2 rating (g/km) 94
Engine (cc/type) 1120/3
Kerb weight (kg) 1191

Max power (bhp/rpm) 74/4000
Max torque (lb ft/rpm) 125/1500
0-60 mph (secs) 14.9
Max speed (mph) 98
Towing weight (kg) 900

http://www.autocar.co.uk/SpecsPrices...s-1-Air/63957/

http://carfueldata.direct.gov.uk/sea...aspx?vid=28897

Does raise the questions of how EPA would rate CAFE and sticker ... as well as US driver experienced fuel economy.

Anybody want to take a GUESS?

[xcel]

Hi 44 mpg by 2010:

While we have done a few posts on the 1.1L diesel in the Rio, it would probably arrive with a 52 to 53 mpgUS combined rating. Great and best in the North America with an EPA combined number approaching or exceeding that of the upcoming Prius c. On the highway it would eat everyone alive in the real world and the make believe of the EPA

Wayne

[PaleMelanesian]

I'd love to try that one out. I'd be looking for triple digits average in the summer. Knock, knock, Sean and his Insight.

[jcp123]

I'd love one as well. Unfortunately, it'd be a drop in the bucket for their overall sales - Americans are still slow to embrace diesel.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I'd love to try that one out. I'd be looking for triple digits average in the summer. Knock, knock, Sean and his Insight.

With the added benefit of being able to carry children in the back!