IRVINE, Calif., August 1, 2006 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced record July sales of 26,429 units, a 1.4-percent increase over the same period last year.  Year-to-date sales for Kia totaled 173,007 units, a 2.3-percent improvement over the record-setting sales pace in 2005.

“Kia is charging ahead full steam with our best July ever in the company’s 12-year history of selling cars in North America,” said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of KMA.  “And it’s only going to get better with our exciting and enabling vehicle line, and new product on the horizon.”

The Kia Spectra posted a strong sales month in July with 7,206 units sold, and Rio had its best month of the year at 3,858 units.

Kia Motors America – the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea – offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information visit www.kiamedia.com.