European Kia sales totalled 65,179 in the first quarter of this year, a 3% gain over 2005.

Picanto sales (19,566 units) led from Sorento (10,721), Sportage (9,468), Rio (8,301) and Cerato (5,473) – to complete Kia’s top five sellers table for the quarter.

For the third month of 2006, Kia’s top selling models were the Picanto (with 8,810 sales), heading the Sorento SUV (4,245 sales), the Sportage (3,620 sales) and the new Rio B-segment hatchback, with 3,532 units delivered. Total sales for March were 28,070 vehicles, an all-time high for the month, climbing 1% above 2005 levels.

"Our sales results for the first three months of 2006, more than 65,000 units, are in line with our business objectives to achieve steady growth during a year when we are so busy with many new model introductions and aim to consolidate our position in Europe," said Jean-Charles Lievens, senior vice president Kia Motors Europe.

"In this landmark year for Kia, new Magentis reaches showrooms this month, New Carnival and new generation Sorento are coming to dealers soon, and we will reveal our new Carens at the Madrid Motor Show in May,” said Lievens.