Kia Motors (UK) Ltd is celebrating selling its 750,000 car in the UK since the brand first started trading here in 1991.

Established in South Korea in 1944, Kia sold just under 1,800 cars in that first year in the UK, a figure that it now sells on average every two weeks across its 188-strong dealer network.

Customer Peter Holland picked up the 750,000th Kia to hit UK roads – and all-new Sportage 2.0 CRDI GT-Line – from Draycotts in Sutton in Ashfield, which itself was celebrating 25 year in business.

On hand to congratulate Peter was Paul Philpott CEO and President of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd and dealer principal Wayne Draycott.

Holland said: “This is my fifth Kia and what keeps me coming back is the excellent customer service and attention to detail here at Draycotts.

“I’m proud to share Kia’s landmark moment and I’m really looking forward to driving my new Sportage.”

Paul Philpott, CEO and President of Kia motors (UK), said: “To reach such a milestone in Kia’s history in such a short space of time – particularly in the last five years – is testament to our growing brand presence and the strength of our design and customer appeal.

“Loyal customers such as Peter are an important part of our success as is our excellent dealer network within the UK and I wish him many happy miles in his new Sportage.”

Nearly half of the 750,000 sales have been in the last five years with sales expecting to reach the one million mark by 2020.

The Picanto has been the biggest seller in the UK since its introduction in 2004 with over 152,000 sold to date.

The Sportage SUV – now in its fourth generation – has sold close to 140,000 models, meanwhile, and is the second bestselling model for Kia.

Around 13,000 of those sales Sportage sales have come in the three months since the launch of the latest iteration of the model in February.