Kia’s global sales rose by 5.7% in November to 70,118 units.

So far in 2006, Kia’s best selling model in export markets has been the A-segment Picanto with 119,376 units sold, closely followed by the C-segment Cerato. Meanwhile, Kia’s SUVs have performed well, with overseas sales of the Sorento mid-size SUV and Sportage compact SUV reaching 116,040 and 96,577 units sold, respectively. Kia shifted 95,707 units of its B-segment Rio in the first eleven months of 2006.

Jung-Moon Park, senior executive vice president and COO of Kia, said: "Our sales figures for November and for the first 11 months of 2006 are very positive – this continued year-on-year growth in global sales shows that we at Kia are really tuned-in to the wants and needs of consumers in the modern global market.

"In recent years we have made great efforts to improve the quality and design of our vehicles as well as the level of service we offer; our focus on these key areas will allow us, as a company, to progress and for our sales figures and market position to improve.

"Increasing our sales figures and market position is obviously very important for our company and with the launch of our most important product to date the cee’d five-door C-segment family car, that goes on sale in the UK in February, we are confident of achieving these goals."